Comment from the peanut gallery.
First full IM was in '85 and basically have done 30 plus since then returning to the sport in '96, with a Legacy spot at Kona in '14.
I'm about 3 weeks shy of my 60th, and am excited to be going up an age group, but for what?
Haven't done a tri of any kind since '16.
in hindsight, it's almost been a waste, the time, the resources and energy spent training, travelling, racing etc. to do Ironman.
What, so I can say or think or be known as Avago, the Ironman. Yes it was for my own satisfaction & enjoyment and not for any label or reward.
actually, it was the training that I loved, the group camaraderie etc. butthat can still be had on 2 hr rides, no need for 6 hr rides.
If I had my time again in tri's it'd be to become the best sprint or Olympic distance athlete I could.

that being said, there definitely some great joys,in there, like 10 hr IMs, some fantastic trips to great places to race, so I'm not suggesting it was all bad.

doing a full on half baked training? why bother, you'll just be exhausted & disappointed.