Ironman Dreaming P2

Here i am, dreaming again, that i would be able to cross the finished line after 17 hours of a gruesome day. 3.8km open water swim, 180 km bike ride and 42,195km of run.

calling me dreaming, but i guess, if i cannot make it to any podium in any other race, why not take part in an event that scares anyone even hearing the kind of distance we are covering? sound good doesn`t it? and calling yourself an "Ironman" plus the right to boast the rest of your life. Ironman is a commitment, a culture, a lifestyle and team work.

Despite the right to boast about completing the event and a "Ironman" title. lets discuss what are the condition to be one? I stressed that it is not for the weak hearted, well at the very least, you have to had a strong and willing heart, even just to sign on the dotted line for it. but then, most are just foolish dreamers or just under peer pressures.

Training, this is a fact! yes, you have to train for it. like IPPT, 2.4km. you have to train for it to achieve the timing required. like any other race events, be it 10km, 21km, 42km or more. it does not meant if you have a determination and a strong believer, you will complete. it does not work this way! you have to train on swim, bike and run. like it or not!

Some people think that if we just take our time and swim, hold on to the safety boat and rest, bike steady, stop at the road and take a few breaks. and walk the whole run leg, we could actually complete it. Yup, you could probably do that in a OD event, probably a Half Ironman. but a Ironman? are we are just kidding ourself? The time spend on the road is enough to make you give up and go home, not taking the account of the cut off time requirement in different legs, in an Half Ironman or a Ironman race.

Life style, well, in my opinion, It is not for everyone. as a mere mortal, we had to have enough training, like a buddy say, "you have to be ready" for an event like this. Training, i could not stressed enough on it. Time commitment needed. if you don`t have the time, my advice is wait until you have! don`t rush into it. Ironman, is like taking an exam, some want to top the class, while most just want a pass and some fail in the process. but without enough preparation, do you think you would even passed? does a swim, bike, run and eat only lifestyle suitable for you?

Teamwork, this is an important aspects of training. you had to have a group support. encouragement in a team often make the impossible, seem doable. Time is spend together when training, would have the effect when you are racing, especially when your training buddy is by your side. it gave a little more relieved and familiarity to fight the loneliness for this kind of race.

Swim 3.8km, complete 4km in less 1 hour 45mins by the pool.

bike 180km, no less distance. 7.5 hours LSD, plus other shorter rides.

42.195km, running a 32- 38km is enough for training for a LSD weekly. 5 hours + other shorter runs.

20- 25hours on a weekly basis is just about right.

Qns is.. am i ready to face the facts of training? and stop dreaming...