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JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona

hectorguatemala

Oct 6, 08 17:22

Post #1 of 15 (944 views)

JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona	Can't Post

I'm surprised no one had posted this before...article about JPMorgan guy doing Kona...and no I'm not that interested in "why did he get an invite" arguments / I just like to see triathlon/IM on the front page of any major newspaper.

anyway it's on the front page of the WSJ:

http://online.wsj.com/...331449138808261.html Crash Survivor Scores Rare Triathlon Invite Wall Street Exec Trains for Legendary Ironman Race

By JEN MURPHY

more in Health ť

The Executive
A.C. Morgan will line up among 1,800 other racers to test his body's physical and mental limits in Kona, Hawaii at the Ironman World Championships Saturday. The grueling race is the Super Bowl of triathlons, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run in crosswinds that can reach 60 miles per hour and temperatures that can reach 95 degrees with 90% humidity.

A.C. Morgan
A.C. Morgan, seen during a triathlon in Rhode Island in July.
Ten years ago Mr. Morgan wasn't even sure if he'd ever walk again. A plane crash left him with two broken vertebrae in his neck and 30 percent of his body covered in burns. "I had a 50-50 shot at life," Mr. Morgan recalls. "I had to learn everything all over again -- how to brush my teeth, walk, go to the bathroom." Mr. Morgan's entire left arm was burned except for one spot. "I have a complete outline where my Timex Ironman watch was. It is the only spot on my arm where I have hair." The outline reminded Mr. Morgan of Timex's old ad, "It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'." He called the company to pitch himself as the subject of its next ad only to discover the campaign had been discontinued. But company representatives said if he ever wanted to do the Ironman he should call back. Mr. Morgan recalls thinking, "I can't even go to the bathroom by myself."
Before the accident Mr. Morgan had competed in sprint triathlons. After physical therapy he returned to the gym five or six days a week to lift weights and ride the Lifecycle bike for 30 minutes. In 2006, Mr. Morgan found himself listening to a client describing how he had competed in the Ironman and it made him remember the Timex offer. He wrote the company to retell his story of the plane crash and his watch "tattoo." In June 2007 he received a surprising call from Herbie Calves, Timex's vice president of sports marketing, asking whether he wanted an Ironman World Championship number for 2007 or 2008. He opted for 2008.
The 38-year-old Mr. Morgan, who co-manages U.S. equity sales trading at J.P. Morgan in New York, has since reprioritized his life to focus on training. He lives in Darien, Conn., and is married with two children. He stands 6-foot-1 and weights 180 pounds.
The Workout
Sponsorships allow many Ironman competitors to train full time. Mr. Morgan doesn't have that luxury. Before he began training for the race, he awoke at 4:30 a.m. to catch the 4:50 a.m. train to midtown Manhattan. Now, he wakes up at 3:20 a.m. three days a week to ride, run or swim for an hour before work. In January, Mr. Morgan hired a personal trainer who creates workouts he can download to his Blackberry. He can call her any time he has questions or needs motivation. "The other day I wasn't feeling the 22-mile run and she tells me, 'Think 22 miles plus 100% humidity on black lava.' I pay for that," he says. In addition to his morning workouts, he sometimes tacks on an additional run or bike ride after work, depending on what his trainer recommends.
On weekends, Mr. Morgan swims at his local YMCA and bikes 100 to 120 miles, followed by a 30- to 40-minute run. In bad weather, he puts his bike on a trainer so he can cycle inside while watching episodes of the HBO comedy "Entourage." According to the Ironman media guide, the average competitor trains between 18 and 30-plus hours per week: about seven miles per week swimming, 225 miles per week biking and 48 miles per week running. Mr. Morgan says his typical week sees him swim five miles, bike 150 to 170 miles and run 30 miles. To prepare himself for race day, he competed in two half-Ironmans, one in May and one in June. Sample Workout
Mon. Rest day
Tues.-Thurs. 60-minute run, bike or swim
Sat. Bike 120 miles followed immediately by a three-mile run.
Sun. 20-mile run; swim.
Mr. Morgan hit a hurdle last October when he developed plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation in the foot most often felt in the heel. "I can't get rid of it," he says. "You really have to walk away from [training] for it to heal, but I can't afford to." He goes to a doctor in the city once a week for laser treatment to break down the scar tissue and has also ordered custom orthotics for his sneakers. He stretches daily to ease the pain.
The Diet
Eating more and more often is Mr. Morgan's new dietetic challenge. "I could go home and eat a pint of Ben & Jerry's every night and still lose weight," he says. Mr. Morgan estimates that he has lost 15 pounds since he started training. To maintain his energy, he tries to eat every three hours. In the morning he has Raisin Bran topped with a banana and skim milk, followed by a cup of coffee and an energy bar. After his workout he has a recovery drink. He eats lunch at his desk, usually a turkey sandwich on whole wheat, which he orders in. "I probably eat chicken, vegetables and pasta seven nights a week, 365 days a year," he says.
Many athletes drastically change their diet during training. "I don't have free time to weigh everything and I'm not a bad eater," says Mr. Morgan, who instead paid Trismarter.com, a company that specializes in designing nutrition and exercise programs for triathletes, to create a diet plan specifically focused on the two days leading up to the race and the race day. He says it recommends hydrating every 10 minutes during the cycling portion. Mr. Morgan set his watch to beep every time he needs to rehydrate or refuel, ingesting calories from Gu, an energy gel, and Fig Newtons. During the run he ingests Gu every hour and drinks water or Gatorade at every mile marker.
The Cost
Tens of thousands of athletes try to get one of the coveted 1,800 spots through a lottery or by winning a spot at one of the qualifying events held around the world. "Spots are sold on eBay for up to $60,000," Mr. Morgan says. Timex covered the majority of Mr. Morgan's costs, including the $300 entry fee, and provided him with his jersey, hats, and a Timex team Trek bike.
Since January, Mr. Morgan has bought four pairs of running sneakers, costing between $80 and $110 per pair. After his wife pleaded with him, he also bought a new pair of cycling shoes, which he wears without socks. Triathlons are a gear geek's dream sport. "It's like a different version of golf," he says. "I could come home every day and go on one of 30 sites and buy a new water bottle holder or Gu or visor." Timex supplied Mr. Morgan with his bike, which could run from $3,000 to $20,000. He spends $250 a month on his personal trainer and paid $300 for his Trismarter.com nutrition evaluation. Membership at the YMCA is about $100 a month.
The Effort
Mr. Morgan says his biggest issue is time management. Making time for family and staying on top of his game at work have been a challenge. "I'm struggling to prioritize it all," he says. "My wife is so done with this." He works out at 4:30 a.m. on weekends to get in his training before his family wakes up. Mr. Morgan started at J.P. Morgan in June. "Any time you start in a new environment you have to prove yourself again," he says. "If I had been there six years it might be easier to take more luxury, but I pride myself on my work ethic and am one of the first people there in the morning."
The Benefit
Mr. Morgan's family and friends will join him in Hawaii to cheer him on. They are staying four days after the race to enjoy Hawaii. "I may not move the first two days," he jokes. Mr. Morgan says one of the professional triathletes gave him his best advice yet: "He told me the biggest waste is running down hard that last mile to the finish line. He wasn't telling me to walk but just to slow down and absorb it because I'm proving the impossible possible."
Write to Jen Murphy at workout@wsj.com

_____________________________________________________________
i w i l l t r i . c o m || youtube.com/iwilltri || vimeo.com/iwilltri
.not a tie to this world. *semi-retired due to mba school - please email me to get in contact...

Rappstar

Oct 6, 08 20:51

Post #2 of 15 (782 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [hectorguatemala] [In reply to]	Can't Post

This is the best of the many vast generalizations made in the article, "Sponsorships allow many Ironman competitors to train full time. Mr. Morgan doesn't have that luxury."

swimfan

Oct 6, 08 20:55

Post #3 of 15 (772 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [hectorguatemala] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm surprised no one had posted this before...article about JPMorgan guy doing Kona...and no I'm not that interested in "why did he get an invite" arguments / I just like to see triathlon/IM on the front page of any major newspaper.

You just answered your own question for why did he get an invite ;-)

Also I have a feeling that some idiot on Timex marketing heard the story, looked at his name, looked at where he worked and thought he hit the jackpot
_________________________________________________

I know I can't spell... This is not going to be graded so I don't care about the grammar either...

(This post was edited by swimfan on Oct 6, 08 21:04)

devashish_paul

Oct 6, 08 22:02

Post #4 of 15 (707 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I also love all these bullshit stories about Ironman geeks waking up at 3/4 am to train before work. Either these people are highly disorganized, out of synch with the rest of society (you know the type that are in bed at 8:30 pm) or living a highly unsustainable burnout lifestyle that will end very shortly when they either get injured, finish their goal race or get sick of the sport.

Seriously why do people in North America walk around proclaiming about how little they sleep like it is a badge of honour. It is not restricted to trigeeks, but we of all people need MORE sleep than the average Joe. I view those who miss out on sleep as just being disorganized.

....and this training plan is so ridiculous...basically do an Ironman every weekend and do nothing in between! I guess it is fine if you are just working up to the distance, but I can't see this resulting in covering the distance "faster"

WiScott

Oct 7, 08 11:14

Post #5 of 15 (576 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [hectorguatemala] [In reply to]	Can't Post

What the hell...he pays $250/month to a personal trainer who has him doing only 3 runs/week, and 66% of his mileage during one workout? He may as well just solicit free advice from the Slowtwitch nation!

Scott

"It's not bragging if you can back it up."
-Muhammad Ali

atasic

Oct 7, 08 11:25

Post #6 of 15 (547 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [WiScott] [In reply to]	Can't Post

There is nothing inspirational about this story and this guy. Even though I have no Kona aspirations, how do you guys that have to train and race to earn your slot feel about this. He got his just because he works at JP Morgan. Yep, that is a LA-LA Land of this society.

jcurtis

Oct 7, 08 11:32

Post #7 of 15 (522 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [hectorguatemala] [In reply to]	Can't Post

At least the guy's out there trying. When the 'average' American is a fat slob, whose only exercise is typing on MySpace, I find it hard to criticize a guy who's active. And, as far as his training goes, I bet the guy works 60+ hours a week. So, on Monday thru Friday, he likely has little time to train.

A positive story in the WSJ about triathlon and exercise ... that's publicity for our sport, and an active lifestyle in general, that can't be bought.
*****
"In case of flood climb to safety"

ironmayb

Oct 7, 08 11:33

Post #8 of 15 (519 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [WiScott] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Yeah but he gets great advice after his 22 mile run!! (can't imagine why he has PF). "think 22 miles in 100% humidity in the lava fields". You gotta admit that's worth $250 right there :-)

dongustav

Oct 7, 08 11:39

Post #9 of 15 (492 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [atasic] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"There is nothing inspirational about this story and this guy. Even though I have no Kona aspirations, how do you guys that have to train and race to earn your slot feel about this. He got his just because he works at JP Morgan. Yep, that is a LA-LA Land of this society. "

Actually he was in a plane crash 3 years ago that burned 30% of his body and broke his neck in 2 places... i think that's why Timex sponsored him.

Uncle Phil

Oct 7, 08 11:42

Post #10 of 15 (472 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [dongustav] [In reply to]	Can't Post

It was 10 years ago.

dangremond

Oct 7, 08 11:51

Post #11 of 15 (448 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [atasic] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Why the instant anger over him being a JPMorgan employee and getting a Kona slot? If you read the article JPMorgan had nothing to do with it. Timex in 2006 said they would get him a slot in 2007 or 2008. He started working at JPMorgan in June 2008. Maybe the real reason he got the slot is that he was ballsy enough to call Timex with his story and and Timex thought, "wow, here's a guy who almost died, there's a neat story involving his Timex watch, and if he is gutsy enough to rebuld his body and sign up for an Ironman we'll help him out?"

C'mon people, the guy is doing everything we should believe im...coming back from the dead to compete in one of the most grueling sports events. Does it matter who his employer is? Of course the Journal picked up the story because of who his employer is....but who cares. This is a feel good story in a world of crappy news and world events.

xtremrun

Oct 7, 08 11:56

Post #12 of 15 (429 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [devashish_paul] [In reply to]	Can't Post

You know I'm one of those bullshit stories. I usually get up around 4:30 am to train in the mornings and also get in a workout after work. I usually go to bed around 9:30 during the week. Average working 45 hours a week. I have been doing it for going on 7 years now and seems to be working for me. I usually do 2 IM's a year plus 2 halfs and a few oly's and sprints and a spring marathon. There are some of us out there that enjoy our lifestyle and live quite a fullfilling life. The great thing about it is my wife is right there training and racing with me. It is not so bad being a disorganized sleep deprived bullshitter sometimes. :-)

swimfan

Oct 7, 08 12:03

Post #13 of 15 (415 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [devashish_paul] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

You actually touched a very important topic.
Every IM pre-race dinner I hear the stories of "everyday heros" who wake up at 3 am to put in 5 hour ride and work untill midnight etc. Most of the newbies do not understand the importance of recovery and rest. So what good does a 5 hour 3AM ride does if you only sleep an average 4-5 hours a day?
It it better than nothing but, I would rather to train 2 hours with an 8 hour sleep rather than 5 hour training with 5 hour sleep.
_________________________________________________

I know I can't spell... This is not going to be graded so I don't care about the grammar either...

callofthewild

Oct 7, 08 13:02

Post #14 of 15 (345 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [atasic] [In reply to]	Can't Post

He got a media slot. Someone who trained all year in hopes of qualifying didn't miss out because he is going. If he wasn't going, they would have found another person who was a good story. But again, not at the expense of someone who raced their way in.

GIO

Oct 7, 08 15:24

Post #15 of 15 (252 views)

Re: JPMorgan guy on front page of WSJ for Kona [devashish_paul] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dev:

I have to call "bullshit" on your post. Most of your posts are insightful, educational and respectful, but you're off base here. I think you travel a lot for your job and still manage to do very well at the IMs you race. However, extensive travel coupled with an otherwise flexible schedule, is far different than riding a train for an hour to be on the desk by 7:00 a.m. and then riding it home in the evening.

I can tell you from personal experience that getting up at 4:30 to get in a trainer session or a run with the Petzl on is not due to disorganization, but career contstraints. I live close to where this guy lives and work about three blocks from the JP Morgan offices. If you have to be in the office by 9:00 (which is late for NYC), that means you have to catch the train at 8:00 which means you need to be done with your workout by 7:00 so you can shower, put on your suit and tie (yes, most people on Wall Street wear these still) and get to the train station. So even an hour workout involves a 5:30 wake up. If you need to back it up two hours, the math is simple.

Additionally, it's impossible for a guy who is in the market to get any workout in during the day (9:30-4:00). You literally can't leave the desk. I do M&A so things are more flexible for me, but even getting a 2,000 yard swim in during the day is a rare treat. This guy probably gets on the train around 5:30, home by 6:30-7:00, time with the kids for dinner and such and then off to bed. Add in the fact that there are many nights during the week you need to do client dinners and it's not hard to see why he's getting up at 3:30.

Perhaps I missed it, but the artcle didn't mention that he was bragging about lack of sleep. If all he can manage is six hours a night then that's all he can do. Not optimum for training, but does that mean he shouldn't do the race? I agree with you that it's not sustainable long-term, but I think this will be his first IM so it's all new to him and I'm sure he's going to finish, not podium. Now, reasonable minds can argue about whether he deserves to be there or if his training program is smart, but it's not bullshit -- just trying to get it all in in the hours we have.

I have traveled quite a bit and worked in the UK and Hong Kong, and I can tell you that the way people work in NYC, and the overall view that all must be sacrificed for one's career and finances, is simply unique to anywhere else in the world. Working until 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 p.m. is the norm, not the exception Perhaps you've done your time here, but if you haven't you really can't comment with any type of insight. My time from IM MOO sucks (13:00) and I am six feet tall, 167 pounds, not some overweight slob. I hope to go better this year at IMLP. I'm sure I could if I could get 20 hours/week in without fail, but I can't so until the cutoff is eleven hours, I'll be trying to juggle it all and enjoying my participation in the sport. If you're at LP in July, I'll wish you luck.

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