New IRONMAN World Record-Youngest Female Ever!

*technically*, she is not the youngest IRONMAN finisher because that was not an IRONMAN event.  She would be the youngest iron-distance finisher.  There is a difference.

Still, congrats to her... that's a phenomenal achievement for any age!

Is there a link to her story.  Anyone who can complete an IM is awesome in my books, but what truely sets some people apart are the sacrifices they make or the obstacles they overcome.  Certainly being young is an obstacle, but would love to hear about how she dealt with being a high school student while training for an IM.

A kid was training with my group a couple of years ago.  He was awesome in how diligent he was in his training.  He became the youngest type 1 diabetic to ever complete an Ironaman at IMC 2012 (still in Penticton).  I think he was less than a month past his 18th birthday.  He constantly had to test his blood sugar levels during training and racing.

http://www.midweek.com/thriving-with-type-1-diabetes/

Now you've done it.

I understand where Dan is coming from, however, my oldest son will start the B2B iron distance race on October 26, 2013.  He will turn 18 on December 15, 2013.  Prior to October 26, he will have completed three half iron distance races (one each the last three years) 2 olympic distance races and multiple sprints.  He has been racing since age 10.  He is most certainly not an elite speedster, but he has been training and enjoying racing.  His half times have been right around 6 hours (the one on a flat course was 5:57 or so, the hilly course 6:14 last year and 6:04 this year) I think he got the idea from a former swim club team mate that is now a second year at the Naval Academy.  She raced this her senior year in just over 13 hours.  I will say, I was not planning on tackling this distance until he and his brother were out of the house (in college).  He has drug me along and we have been each other's training partner. 

this is a link to an article that was in this past Sunday's local paper.  http://www.kinston.com/news/local/going-the-distance-1.206485

William is a different type of kid, both athletically and academically.  Again, while I understand where Dan is coming from, I think there are kids that can complete this distance provided they have been racing and training for a good while.  He has had to balance training with school work for the the past several years (both triathlon and year round swimming).  However, I don't think that is terribly different from most triathletes (we balance work, personal/family life and sometimes school).  Learning time management and balancing is a skill set that is best learned young and, in my opinion, is terribly lacking in most youth and adults in modern society. 

Fire away

not downplaying her achievement, but you are greatly exaggerating the wind conditions.

Lots of cowbell & sincere" Congratulations" to you Sarah...

I wish you all the best in both your studies and your pursuit of challenges of mind & body like Iron distance tri..Know that you can accomplish whatever it is you set out to do.

Originally posted by snm_tri Hello Everyone, I am Sarah M. I wanted to thank everyone with such nice comments, it means a lot to me to hear that. I understand that some are concerned with me being so young and racing long distance triathlons and I completely understand that. I understand the importance of proper training, nutrition and recovery as well. I am an exercise physiology major at WVU and I love doing long distance tri's. I am not looking to do anything more than enjoy the sport that is triathlon. I have been competing since I was 13 years old doing races of all distances including half ironmans. I plan on doing them for a very long time because of the sheer enjoyment I get from competing. Thank you all! Sarah

Sorry for all of the "wet blankets" in this thread (come on, BT!). I think your accomplishment is awesome, as well as the head on your shoulders. Congratulations!