It seemed like a good idea
I’m out for a long time, not a good time.
These only half-true words are why I can never seriously set myself up as multisport snob. I pretended to do so on Friday, as an exercise in stirring, and succeeded a little too well, with commenters (deservedly) ripping me to shreds. It probably only seemed like a good idea because I wrote it at 1am.
The issue of snobbery is pertinent today, because I’m about to show what an epic fail it would be. Recently, a commenter called Bear asked if I could write about how I started Ironman, and if people who embrace the sport are people next door, or something else altogether.
If you already know my story and don’t want to read it again, perhaps you could jump right to the comments and tell us how and why you got into the sport of your choice and which events you have done (if any).
As for me, I started with a mini-triathlon, when a press release landed on my desk. It was spring 2002, I was 21, much thinner, and living in one of New Zealand’s most boring towns.
Despite six months of the gym being the total of my athletic experience, I thought I'd do it. Bearing in mind that in primary school I was the child picked last for any kind of sports team, 250m swimming, 10km cycling and 3km run seemed like a long way.
I had to borrow a bike and was most aggrieved when my cousin, who had done little swim training, got out of the water just after me. I also refused to run in my bike shorts and insisted on putting on some ridiculously non-functional three-quarter pants at transition.
Naturally, I wrote about my experience for the local paper so at the gym a few weeks later, one of the guys mentioned a Saturday swim squad.
I was the slowest but it didn’t matter, because it was there I met my now good friends, Susan and Shayne. Both had done the Ironman – Susan just weeks ago at the time – and they were ordinary people. The idea took hold of my mind, ably encouraged by Susan when I confessed my ambition.
And so it began. Then I moved to Nelson for work and discovered a large and active triathlon club. Most of the club was training for the age group sections of the tri world champs. I would have come last in every club event if it wasn’t for the two teenage daughters of one of the members.
Before Ironman, the longest event I had done was an Olympic distance triathlon. I had never run further than 21km. My training was admittedly unconventional but it worked for me, so I don’t agree that you need to do a half ironman first – I know people put off the full event by doing a half.
Even if I had done a half ironman, I don’t think I would have appreciated what I was letting myself in for, and on the start line I was terrified, wondering why the hell entering seemed like a good idea at the time. It was the hardest and most exhilarating thing I have ever done. I liked it so much that I repeated it, twice.
I was slow and am still slow. My swim is solid, my cycling is sub-par and my run is average. It doesn’t matter. I’m in no danger of missing the cutoff. My best time is close to 14 hours, my worst close to 15.
After my first ironman, I was told many people didn’t expect me to finish, but Susan and Shayne never doubted me because, to put it bluntly, I’m bloody-minded. Mentally, ironman breaks people and, barring injury, that’s the biggest barrier to finishing.
Ironman gave me a lifestyle that endured, despite a few diversions along the way. It's because of what it’s given me that I have the symbol tattooed on my leg.
I say if you want to do it, go for it. It's hard, expensive and time-consuming. There will be blood, sweat and tears during training, and more on the day. But it's more worth it than I can begin to describe.
» Join Are We There Yet on Facebook.
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
Similiar story but with Coast to Coasts. Just completed my second 2 day individual one - had never done anything like it before and thought no point doing a team - get straight into doing the whole thing yourself!.Never going to win or be a star but the exiliration of getting to the finish line at Sunmer is something special and something no one can ever take away from you. Is about getting out and participating. And anyone can complete long distance endurance events! It's not the physical that is the problem (although you do have to train and there are blood, sweat and tears) - the battle is as you say the mental one... and it'll teach you alot about yourself along the way. Lessons that will help you navigate through life. Get out there and give a crack!
Thanks for your story Ann. At 29 I just did my first "tri-woman" on Sunday (300m swim, 8km bike, 3km run). Had to learn to ride a bike first! My time wasn't great but I enjoyed it. I don't know if I'll ever be up to an ironman, but I would like to try and do a longer triathlon sometime.
Good on you for completing Ironman! It's not a tri-sport snob thing (or an any-sport snob thing) - it's a major personal achievement and you should be proud! My 61 year old mother-in-law completed Ironman this year, it was her second attempt (she finished the year before but 15 minutes after cut off) and seeing her perseverance and dedication has been amazing. Congratulations to all the Ironmen - the pros and the folk next door! You're inspirational!
In the hierarchy of ironmans, half-ironmans, triathlons and mini-triathlons, where do we rank a Supernatural television marathon? ;-)
Will I be disqualified from the Supernatural television marathon if drug-tests reveal that I failed to drink any coke and failed to eat any chips or chocolate? ;-)
A bit out of my depth amongst people into "events", but just regarding my newfound passion for the gym... the "how and why" is pretty simple. At 52 years of age I was suddenly genuinely scared of how I was feeling. After years of bad diet and no exercise, spending long hours working on my computer, I could really tell something bad was starting to happen. I felt permanently stressed and fatigued, and physically ill almost every day. The thought was starting to creep into my mind, "Am I developing an extremely serious illness?"
A year later I'm pushing it as hard and getting as good results as most 20 year olds in the gym. And I love it. Now I'm giving kickboxing lessons a go, where I am a bit of a "Fred". Bad balance and co-ordination, spectacular as my lethal looking new boxing gloves may be, a bit comical really.
But in a year's time I intend to have good technique. Ann, you mention "bloody minded", and that's how I feel now. Simply for my own personal sense of accomplishment I want to beat my weaknesses. And I as sure as hell never want to feel as crappy as I did a year ago ever again. Life's for living.
@ Darth Michael - now that is my kind of sporting event!! And FYI - coke and chips are mandatory!!
I am not an athletic person by any stretch. Infact, Im not very stretchy at all. The best I have done was a 5km walk in this years Molenberg Sub Series, and I came second! I was really proud, because it was the first sporty thing I had put my mind to, and I really wanted to win. Am considering looking into other events, but I dont really have the motivation and drive to do much more.
Good on you though, Anne! Its nice to know that 'normal' people can do these things too :)
Hi Ann, thanks a lot for that ;-)! Great to hear your story! I did my first short triathlon not too long ago. After this short event I already felt rather puffed and at the same time it felt like a big achievement. Some time ago I had discovered your blog and became inspired although daunted at the same time. At the moment I still cannot imagine how you and the other guys do it! I'm inspired and it seems the main thing is to keep going. I hope, I can hold onto that. Maybe olympic distance will be doable? I just bought a bike to keep me committed - it still feels a bit wobbly and after riding my first 10km ride my butt hurt and I thought "What have I got myself into?" ;-). I don't know if I will ever do a half or full ironman. 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run already sounds like a lot to me! Anyway, it is my next goal and it is great to read something inspirational. Keep up the good work!
I played cricket, waterpolo and soccer all through school then had knee surgery at the the age of 18 (I'm 21 now). I went out of town for uni and basically took a year off sport all together in my first year apart from the odd hostel game of indoor soccer, netball, etc.
In my second year of uni I got back into running which I'd always done for fitness and thought, hey I know how to swim (from waterpolo) and anyone can ride a bike down the street so I decided I wanted to be Hamish Carter after reading his book, or did I want to be Lance Armstrong after reading his?
So I contemplated all summer long about how I'd go about it. I didn't know what on earth I was doing so I joined a swimming squad in Palmerston North and met up with a triathlon training squad there which was great. Been learning about the sport ever since, have been in the sport 2 years, done a bunch of ocean swims, sprint and olympic distance races and now have a coach. Just finished a 4.5km ocean swim in the weekend.
I love triathlon and couldn't imagine myself doing anything else. I've had my fair share of injuries and sickness (11 month running injury and various colds/flu (2-3 months off training). Now I listen to my body heaps more which has helped out lots.
Aiming to complete Ironman, maybe a ultraman, 100km ultramarathon, 640km enduro bike race and perhaps swim Cook St. Hey, sky's the limit!
I got in to road cycling after a moment of stupidity. My personal trainer said to me one day she was doing Le Race, (Chch to Akaroa), and said I should do it too. Confidently I said sure, not really knowing what I was agreeing to, then told so many people I couldn't pull out! Still, completed it and loved it and have been cycling since. Completed Round Taupo and several other events since. Never going to win anything, consider myself more a completer not a competer, (not sure if thats a word but it is now), but I have fun and meet cool people which is the main thing I feel!
'Naughty' toilet traps terrified toddler
Million-dollar view, shame about the house
Trap for burglars catches policeman
Brothel scares and stresses neighbourhood
Parents don't want son's killer in town
Guptill blasts Black Caps to victory in first T20
Degrassi star died five years ago
Banking on return of blue magic
'Naughty' toilet traps terrified toddler
High cost of living mars return to NZ
Cathedral repair bill intimidating
Fear of dangerous rift from wealth gap
Hurricanes steal Sonny Bill's thunder
Brothel scares and stresses neighbourhood
Good on you for completing Ironman! It's not a tri-sport snob thing (or an any-sport snob thing) - it's a major personal achievement and you should be proud! My 61 year old mother-in-law completed Ironman this year, it was her second attempt (she finished the year before but 15 minutes after cut off) and seeing her perseverance and dedication has been amazing.
Congratulations to all the Ironmen - the pros and the folk next door! You're inspirational!