'Ankur you are an IRONMAN' - the Golden words which every triathlete dream to hear!!

Happy to share that I completed my first full Ironman at Hamburg, Germany recently. IRONMAN is one of the toughest one-day sporting?event, where we have to swim 3.8 km followed by 180 km cycling and finally by 42.2 km run on back-to-back basis in a total cut off time of 15.30 hours. A true test of patience, endurance and grit to cross the finish line.

?The journey or in fact the dream of being an IRONMAN was born a year back with zero experience in swimming and bike. Infact at the time of birth of this?dream, didn't knew how to fluently swim even 100 meters and had no triathlon bike. But I truly?feel blessed that the most amazing part was meeting my coach and chief Abhishek Mishra Ultraman, Ironman Triathlon Finisher, who was the torchbearer in this mammoth journey.

?Since the journey was long and gigantic, it was required to be split into small steps. The first target was to complete a half IRONMAN. The journey achieved its interim destination in October last year, when I did half Ironman 70.3 in the gruelling weather of Goa.

?As rightly said, there are no shortcuts to success. Only consistency and perseverance in training can make you cross the finish line, which requires a huge amount of time management with various commitments. Managing workouts with full time office was extremely challenging. Going for an early morning swim in chilly winters, completing runs in basement parking due to extreme cold and rains, waking up at 3 am to start long bike workouts over the weekends to avoid heat in peak summers and then working for the full day in office, needed a different level of madness.?There were many occasions where I broke, failed and even had lot of self-doubts, but I guess the true test is how many times you have the courage to stand up again and restart.

?As was moving close to the event, faced major setbacks at the most crucial time of the training. Had a severe back issue around 2 months before the event and was advised for complete rest for 3 weeks. As the back was slightly recovering, was hospitalized for week on account of acute Hepatitis infection just a month before the event. When I told the doctor about my event, his first reaction was forget about the event this year. Was completely shattered with the news and had almost given up my dream of being an IRONMAN. But as rightly said by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep". Started gradually again and did all bike and run workouts with a back support belt.

I was under a dilemma that given the health conditions and with less than a month for the event, should I just withdraw. But finally decided that will show the courage to stand at the start line and rather fail, instead of just giving up. My chief and mentor Abhishek Mishra Ultraman, Ironman Triathlon Finisher played the most crucial role at this time. He just asked me to be patient and focus completely on recovery. He kept motivating me and assured that we will be able to pull off things in 3 weeks (considering all the past hard work).

?Hamburg has always been known for its fast and flat bike course. However, would have never thought that it would be so windy, which makes it extremely tough. As you move towards the close of 180 km bike, the legs are already in vibration mode and you get self-doubts as there is still a full marathon to go. There were many occasions where you just think of giving it up, but thoughts of those 3 am workouts and all the sweat of last one year keeps you going. The chief comes as a saviour again and was my pacer for the entire marathon. Can't thank him enough for the role he played in giving me this amazing feeling – hats off to chief, you are truly an amazing person and a magician.

?The most incredible part is the finish line and culmination of months and months of persistent hard work, perseverance, grit and commitment. The entire pain and toil goes away when you cross the finish line with an Indian flag and hearing those golden words 'Ankur, you and IRONMAN'!!

The event was a lifetime experience and taught such amazing lessons. I dedicate the medal to my parents and family members, this would not have been possible without their blessings and wishes. Their patience, never give up attitude and the willpower in the most difficult times has been an inspiration for me in the entire journey.

Special thanks to my partners in this journey Tanmay Dubey Nitendra Rajput - you guys have always been so helpful and inspiring. Thanks for keep pushing and motivating me. Look forward to many more long sessions in future with our dear chief!!

Would end this fairytale journey with an amazing quote from John Bingham - “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” Look forward for many such miracles!!