Frank,

17 hours isn't the issue for me. For some very well trained people that is very tough - for others a walk in the park. My issue was his lack of preparedness, and lack of knowlege of the rules, and his taking painkillers to get through it, and writing about how heroic his effort was BECAUSE of his lack of preparation.

I agree with you that a lot of people who have done the training should try to do an Ironman - I'm all for that.