You...Are...An...IRONMAN !!!

That’s what the speaker told me after I completed 3.8km in the sea, 180km on a bike and finished a full marathon within the cut-off time.

SPOILER ALERT: This article may contain true information that may not be advisable for some untrained audience. All references to characters are non-fictional and inspired by true events. No BS corporate will be used. Draw your own conclusion for your own personal or professional life. It may inspire you or it may not. If the message creates at least one positive reaction, JOB DONE.

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For the “noobs”, an ironman could look like a bunch of penguins, lost on a beach after missing the neighboring music festival. Then they splash water as mighty as they can. Stride their bike after removing their neoprene coats to a skimpy and revealing outfit (glad to have a cycling pad) to finally hover over their feet for 42.195km (Crawling and Rolling allowed)

For the fans, it is a triathlon created in Hawaii in 1978 to gather the 3 longest events man could think of - at that time. Completing an Ironman is a feat. Completing the one in Kona is the paroxysm.

Ironman is now a trademark ?and other companies provide similar races.FYI Ironman is owned by Dalian Wanda Group, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanda_Group . I always like to know who benefits from the “crime”.

To me, an Ironman is a challenge. Postponed by coronavirus – no races in 2020 – and a lack of drive post-Ironman 70.3 (half an ironman) in 2011. It is also 36km in the pool, 1720km on a bike with 11k positive elevation and 484km on foot in 2024 (NDLR it really started in March after a rough winter). Add hours of core and plyometrics and you are good to complete an Ironman.

Note: you will need to put a lot more efforts to be in the top spots.

Now a couple of after-thoughts.??

?? On the day with my fellows penguins, I thought how am I gonna do this. It is a mouthful. So I breathed and focused on doing it one stroke at a time, one pedaling cycle at a time, one step at a time. Big goals are achieved with small steps.

??? We were 2300 participants at the start. But you mostly trained and will race alone. You get up for training alone. You sign up for the race alone. No one is doing it for you. More below

??? You do not think of work or big picture moments during the race. You think of your swim stroke, hydrating correctly, rub some sunscreen, tread surely but carefully,etc etc. You build short moments for a big one.

?? However you may think of odd stuffs during such long events. Things I have thoughts in a long time : “C’est encore loin, Grand Schtroumpf ? non,non, plus très loin”.

“J’y vais mais j’ai peur, haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa”

And many more. Bref… you fill your brain with random thoughts.

??I engaged in small talks during the bike ?and run leg, it helps to push through. Sharing a bit of the pain or encouragement, that helps. WARNING : Small talks not advised during the swim leg.

?? Enjoy : if you are not aiming at the top spot, enjoy the moment, the scenery and the effort. Again not advised during the swim. I stopped enjoying the running after passing by restaurants 4 times. the smell made me crave for real food. And not sugary gels and manufactured supplements.

Well, you are never completely alone. Nothing will be done and enjoyable with a couple of supporters and encouragements.

??Thanks to Marc Hagmann, CFA for being a supportive manager and athlete, to Abraham Ara , a Seasoned Ironman for his continuous training drive, and Rookie of the Year Gian Stupp for joining me on the long training rides. And Thibaud Savouré for the virtual support and inspiration as a person and his running challenges.

?? Last but Not least : thanks all the volunteers who cheer you on and pass you new supply until the end late in the race. This is a selfless job as they neither get paid monetarily or with thanks from the last runners (I try my best to thank them, but one is mostly grinding towards the end.)

So Why do I do it ? Why shall I inflict so much pain upon meself ? ??Fool of a Took??

?? To me, it is a challenge, a dare. Life is not fun if you do not push your boundaries.

??It is also a gift, a unique experience that no one and nothing can take away from you. I an Ironman, that’s it.

??I also run for others. Those who cannot race or are not here anymore to do it. I will misquote Tolstoy, but the essence is there : “If it hurts, it means you are still alive”

And now what’s next?

Embrunman, Norseman, UTMB, deca-ironman, PR on 100m Sprint ? Time and future location will tell.

Until then feel free for asking me questions in the comments (Yes I shaved my legs and No, I will not get an IM Tattoo). Happy to share and receiving training tips as well.

This concludes my sporty year (Marathon, Ironman 70.3 and Full Ironman) with a taper (Half Marathon) at the end of this month, before hibernating and working out on my weaknesses.

ADDENDUM :

Would I do it again ? yes, I would. It is worth. Am I addicted to it, not really. I will probably go to shorter distance before doing it again in order to full on during the whole race.

Several reasons I will not do it again :

• It is a financial cost. Equipment, Race, travel, nutrition. It can be and endless money pit, borderline cultish.
• It is a logistical nightmare. there are so many things to prepare ahead and during the race. Small things can mess up the experience. with many triathlon under the belt, you get better, but every race location, rules are slightly different. I sorted one problem by renting a bike this year. Easier to travel, less risk of theft.
• All those sporting events are an environmental disaster. Just on the Italy event, it was 4500 participants over 3 races. ie 10 to 20k people accompanying and organising. I came with 4 "supporters". Great for a low season in Italy, but not ideal in terms of population displacement. Close to 100 nationalities were there, most from Italy and neighbouring countries. Some came from America, and Asia, coming by plane. Not to mention serious triathletes (99% of them) use Carbon frame bikes, which cannot be recycled compared to an aluminium frame. Food fo thoughts