Why do you do Ironman?

There is no intelligent answer.  Any more than there is for people who play golf, or spend endless hours playing video games, or watching TV, or knitting, or cooking or, well anything.  The reason is because it gives you joy/happiness/a sense of accomplishment/a challenge to overcome/etc.  None of which they will understand - just like you won't understand why someone would want to play World of Warcraft for hours, days, weeks and months on end.  Eh - to each their own. 

Answers vary depeding on who's asking, and range from a bit snarky to good natured ribbing.  Quite frankly, I don't feel the need to explain it as in "justify" it.  It just is what it is.  Most of the time, I reply with an indignant, "Why wouldn't you want to do an Ironman?"  Sometimes I just look at them and say, "Exactly....." and try to look a little crazy. 

Other answers include....

You know the saying, Why climb a mountain?  Becuase it's there.  Well, I was born in Kansas.

If you're going to be a bear, be a grizzley.

Becuase anybody can golf / Becuase it's cheaper than golf / Becuase I promised my wife I wouldn't take up golf.

I figured it was either that or a heart attack...or diabetes.

It keeps me out of bars / It's cheaper than drinking / I got bored with binge drinking on weekends.

Because my parents kept telling me to "go outside and play" and I listened.

I really just needed an excuse to wear lycra.

I have weak thumbs and can't play video games.

And so on. 

I did my first because I remember a day when I would have laughed at you had you told me I would. I'd have blown smoke rings at you sipping my beer at the bar....

I'll do many more because their just d*mn fun!

Because I always thought it sounded like something awesome, amazing, too long, intimidating, which I couldn't imagine I'd ever be ready or able to do.  Then I realized I will probably never be dedicated enough to train for 20 hours per week for 6 months.  So given that I'll never be ready, I decided now is as good of a time as any - this I call the Forest Gump moment.  I'm in at least as good shape as the 16 hour folks.  So I signed up.  

I trained more, 10+ hours a week, but not 20.  Then during the training I realized it's not that hard, it's just very, very long.  The training pace, and even the racing pace, are at a comfortable conversational pace.  You just have to pack some food, and sometimes make hotel reservations, when you head out for a workout.  

Now that I've done one, I truly see life differently.  I decided to do something I didn't think I could do.  And I trained, studied, prepared, and succeeded.  Now I'm re-thinking everything I previously thought was an obstacle in my life - physically, mentally, financially, spiritually, socially, emotionally, etc.  That is why I do Ironman.

+1

I'm working on my IMFL race report and this pretty much sums up why I do IM races...

I love having a big race out there that motivates me, challenges me, makes me face my fears, takes boldness, and come race day it is me against myself, the elements and the distance. Race day training is done and now it is about execution with nutrition and mental focus and control is key to finishing the race dealing with whatever obstacles or issues arise throughout the day. Believing I can do this and adjusting my thinking or adapting my race plan when in a bad spot to continue to execute is key.

If IM was easy the appeal wouldn’t be there. The digging deep within me both in training and on race day and getting the core of my being, testing my will and seeing how I do, is exhilarating and makes me feel alive in a deep way.

How can I give that up?

I don’t want to.

I will continue to fight, pursue medical options, rehab from surgery like it is IM training and work hard to be able to toe the line again November 3, 2012.

This is kind of it for me, too.  Got to where I had done an HIM and it was sort of something to do because...well...at that point, I pretty much knew I could.

I'm with Doug on this one.

Like today. I did a 15.5 mile trail run. Afterwards, I had more than 1/2 sleeve of Fig Newtons. Just love to eat junk food and doing these long workouts keeps my 46 year old stomach better than most 20 years olds

Plus, I like being revered as a bad-azz by my friends and family 

this really had me concerned while I was training for my IM and now that I've finished one (that lots of ST'ers whined was soooo harrrrrd) I still don't know.  I worried there would be a place in training or the race that I'd be lost wihtout that reason, but I wasn't.  I was just like Dory and just kept swimming, biking and running.  That's what we do, we .....

So I just wanted to put this out there - it is possible to do multiple 18 hour weeks and and IM and never know why. 

Because people like me don't do ironman.

It sounds silly now to say it, but I had the realization during IM Louisville that just by doing the IM, I became one of "those" people that I always envied (the fitter, thinner, athletic ones) who do crazy athletic events.  I realized that anyone can be one of those people!!

And, because I am addicted to the endorphins of training and the positive effect on my body and my mind.  And the extra food/beer.

Why Ironman?

Because I've got more money than I can spend rationally on other areas of my life. 

Why train for an ironman? 

I like to eat (especially dietary sins).  I like the endorphins.  I like the "me" time.  I like the way I look and feel because I train.  Because my friends train.  Because it makes me one of "those" people.  Because I want the race day to be a good experience. 

There are so many of these comments that ring true to me posted by many.

I wish we had a like button as I'd use it a lot on this thread.