Why? Why would a person want to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run 26.2 miles in a single day? That is a question I have avoided answering the last three days, since my attempt to do Ironman Canada in Penticton on August 28, 2005.
The simple answer: Discovery.
Little things in a day of racing become an allegory for the larger things in your life. Circumstances of your existence which get lost in the banality of the daily grind, are glaringly exposed during a day of agony, and joy. What was exposed to me? What did I discover? Nothing profound or earth shattering. Just that I have embraced ignorance and avoidance too much in my life.
Time for a pre race situation analysis before I digress too much!
I am a male, and have just moved into the 35-39 age category. I have done two previous Ironman triathlons, Penticton in 2003, and Coeur d'Alene back in June. Between the two races, there was no apparent improvement in my performance. My time in the lake was almost identical, my bike time was ten minutes faster (easier course), my run was about thirty minutes faster (run to walk ratio went from 1:1 to 2:1), and my transition times were markedly slower.
But that is the past, and every triathlete is looking for a personal best in their upcoming event. And we can get pretty... the word escapes me. You know, the opposite of scrupulous. FRIVOLOUS! (Had to get the dictionary out). Anything from best overall time, to least time spent in the portapotties. Going into my race, my expectations were quite low. Most people train hard to race easy--I seem to train easy so my race is hard.
If you want the details:
The simple answer: Discovery.
Little things in a day of racing become an allegory for the larger things in your life. Circumstances of your existence which get lost in the banality of the daily grind, are glaringly exposed during a day of agony, and joy. What was exposed to me? What did I discover? Nothing profound or earth shattering. Just that I have embraced ignorance and avoidance too much in my life.
Time for a pre race situation analysis before I digress too much!
I am a male, and have just moved into the 35-39 age category. I have done two previous Ironman triathlons, Penticton in 2003, and Coeur d'Alene back in June. Between the two races, there was no apparent improvement in my performance. My time in the lake was almost identical, my bike time was ten minutes faster (easier course), my run was about thirty minutes faster (run to walk ratio went from 1:1 to 2:1), and my transition times were markedly slower.
But that is the past, and every triathlete is looking for a personal best in their upcoming event. And we can get pretty... the word escapes me. You know, the opposite of scrupulous. FRIVOLOUS! (Had to get the dictionary out). Anything from best overall time, to least time spent in the portapotties. Going into my race, my expectations were quite low. Most people train hard to race easy--I seem to train easy so my race is hard.
If you want the details:
Too tired, and inspiration has faded. I will continue with my discoveries another day.