The essence of The Ironman experience?

Triathlon Forum
1

So I’m reading Fitzgerald’s “Ironwar”–which i was inclined to dismiss but rather like quite a bit. I keep coming back to this quote:

“In the hardest moments of a long race, the athlete’s entire conscious experience boils down to a desire to continue pitted against a desire to quit. He is no longer a son or a father or a husband. He has no social roles or human connections whatsoever. He is utterly alone. He no longer has any possessions. There is no yesterday and no tomorrow, only now. The agony of extreme endurance fatigue crowds out every thought and feeling except one: the goal of reaching the finish line. The sensations within the body–burning lungs, screaming muscles, whole-body enervation–exist only as the substance of the desire to quit. What little of the external environment that the athlete is aware of–the road ahead, the competitor behind, the urgings of onlookers–exists only as the substance of the desire to continue. The desire to continue versus the desire to quit–the athlete is this and this alone until he choses one or the other. And when the choice is made, he briefly becomes either persevering or quitting until, after he has stopped at the finish line or, God forbid, short of it, the stripped-away layers are piled back on and he becomes his old self again. Only not quite. He is changed, for better or worse.”

Speaks to me–as I think about all of my IM experiences–gives me chills in fact…any resonace out there?

2

Maybe it resonates with those who have tranformed a triathlon into something more significant than it really is. It’s a race. It’s a hobby. Period.

I just read a report of a speedy guy who podiumed his age group in Kona while his wife and 2 week old son are at home. Talk about someone who has completely missed the boat on the priorities of life. I imagine this sinppet you’ve posted would resonate with him, more so than an article from a parenting magazine, talking about how amazing it is seeing his child for the first 2 weeks of their life.

3

Honestly, just a bunch of crap to me…Sorry
.

4

That is super pathetic over the top drama

You could nearly write the same thing about a dude who needs to ride the most bad-ass bull for 8 seconds to win the PBR Crown.

5

Randy, this resonates with me and it applies to any race when I am on the rivet…the feeling just lasts longer in an Ironman (probably way too long). Anyway, at that point that Fitzgerald describes, I just feel like an athlete. Not a parent, husband, son, technology professional, youth coach, or whatever label I have outside of the playing field of tri. At that moment, I just feel like an athlete, and its nice to be able to put all the labels with which we identify ourselves in other walks of life and strip it down to just being an athlete…even if it is for the moment. Then you cross the finish line and get back to all the other responsiblities of life :slight_smile:

6

So I’m reading Fitzgerald’s “Ironwar”–which i was inclined to dismiss but rather like quite a bit. I keep coming back to this quote:

“In the hardest moments of a long race, the athlete’s entire conscious experience boils down to a desire to continue pitted against a desire to quit. He is no longer a son or a father or a husband. He has no social roles or human connections whatsoever. He is utterly alone. He no longer has any possessions. There is no yesterday and no tomorrow, only now. The agony of extreme endurance fatigue crowds out every thought and feeling except one: the goal of reaching the finish line. The sensations within the body–burning lungs, screaming muscles, whole-body enervation–exist only as the substance of the desire to quit. What little of the external environment that the athlete is aware of–the road ahead, the competitor behind, the urgings of onlookers–exists only as the substance of the desire to continue. The desire to continue versus the desire to quit–the athlete is this and this alone until he choses one or the other. And when the choice is made, he briefly becomes either persevering or quitting until, after he has stopped at the finish line or, God forbid, short of it, the stripped-away layers are piled back on and he becomes his old self again. Only not quite. He is changed, for better or worse.”

Speaks to me–as I think about all of my IM experiences–gives me chills in fact…any resonace out there?

This is the only essence of Ironman you need
http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/nd.4808.jpg

7

Maybe it resonates with those who have tranformed a triathlon into something more significant than it really is. It’s a race. It’s a hobby. Period.

I just read a report of a speedy guy who podiumed his age group in Kona while his wife and 2 week old son are at home. Talk about someone who has completely missed the boat on the priorities of life. I imagine this sinppet you’ve posted would resonate with him, more so than an article from a parenting magazine, talking about how amazing it is seeing his child for the first 2 weeks of their life.

I think every person has their own priorities in life and as long as it works for their family life, then its all good. For this guy, perhaps his wife wanted him to go and push through towards that achievement. Good for him. Perhaps he’ll be one of those dads who is totally engaged in the life of his kid when that kid is a teenager when parents largely neglect kids anyway, and when they probably need the most direction…a 2 month old baby, really does not need much assuming one parent is around. It’s not like the 2 month old baby will remember if the dad was at Kona or not, but perhaps the 13 year old version of that kid WILL remember if dad was not there to watch him in the city finals for football.

If nothing else on ST, this guy gets studliness points for podium-ing at Kona, which is what counts more on this website than being superdad…perhaps there is a forum for superdads where this guy can get beaten upon :slight_smile:

It’s really hard to know what is the right set of choices. Probably best to respect that this choice works for this guy’s family.

8

x2 - never a perfect time to get married, have a baby, buy a house, start a new job or do an IM. I rode like a crazy when we had our first kid. My wife was breast feeding and there wasn’t much to do for the most part. I was sleep deprived but …

9

**He is no longer a son or a father or a husband. He has no social roles or human connections whatsoever. He is utterly alone. **

Hmm, not sure that really describes an Ironman race at all. Maybe the Vendee Globe solo sailboat race around the world but not an Ironman but maybe I just never felt all my social relationships were gone just because I was doing a triathlon.

Then again I never really pushed myself to that point, I was only a MOP and trained well so finished quite comfortably.

10

Maybe it resonates with those who have tranformed a triathlon into something more significant than it really is. It’s a race. It’s a hobby. Period.

I just read a report of a speedy guy who podiumed his age group in Kona while his wife and 2 week old son are at home. Talk about someone who has completely missed the boat on the priorities of life. I imagine this sinppet you’ve posted would resonate with him, more so than an article from a parenting magazine, talking about how amazing it is seeing his child for the first 2 weeks of their life.

To you (and probably most), triathlon may be just a race. A hobby. For others like me who are more intricately involved with the sport, it is more than just a race, a hobby or a lifestyle…it’s part of our profession as coaches, product representatives and athletes. Personally, I think the Fitzgerald quote in the OP is jibberish and I’d rather be making funny faces and reading bedtime stories to my child, which I could actually do while in Kona due to the wonders of the internet.

My wife and my family are supportive of my career, which is driven by triathlon, endurance sports and fitness. If being on a business trip - which my race in Kona essentially was (and a very successful one at that before, during and after the race) - helps support my family now and in the future by networking and attracting new athletes to coach in the upcoming years, I fail to see what’s so terribly wrong with that…especially when everyone involved within our family circle was on board.

The next time you post something like this, take a little time to learn about the person you’re slamming.

11

He is no longer a son or a father or a husband. He has no social roles or human connections whatsoever.

This part, certainly not. I feel very connected when I’m racing. Most particularly to my family, to the little boys who are watching and think I’m some kind of superhero. But also to the crowd who cheer you on and to the fellow competitors who are sharing the experience.

I love training alone; the contemplative ‘loneliness of the long-distance runner’ thing. Ironman racing is very different - its a big party.

12

…a 2 month old baby, really does not need much assuming one parent is around. It’s not like the 2 month old baby will remember if the dad was at Kona or not,

Not to hijack the thread, but there’s a lot of medical opinion that your statement is way off base. Early childhood development is essential in the development of personality and connectivity to both parents.

I feel bad for 2-12 month olds whose fathers wake up to train, go to work, and come home after the kid’s been fed just in time to give a bottle and put to bed. Not that that’s you or any other specific individual on ST, but it’s not healthy for strong familial relationships.

FWIW - I’m no expert, I’m just a father with a friend or two who are experts.

As for the OP - my personal opinion is that the Fitzgerald overdramatized the zen-like moment he is describing.

13

Interesting responses by all–like most things in life, how each individual reacts to this great sport seems to be somewhat unique.

There are parts of Matt’s quote that don’t apply to me as well–I’m very connected to my family as I race and look forward to seeing them on the course. The past that resonated with me is the part that talks about the desire to finish vs. the desire to quit–that battle is what it is all about for me–can I get to the finish line despite the suffering? It’s a bit of what I like about mountaineering as well. It helps me understand why I actively seek out such suffering…

14

I know what you are saying about infants, but just because someone is training for and doing an Ironman does not mean that they are not around to help with and bond with their family (it need not be mutually exclusive). Some people pull everything off better than the rest of us.

Personally, I did not train that much between when my son was 0-18 months. I regret signing up for and doing an Ironman when he was 18-24 months. In hindsight it was bad, the training was pretty sub optimal and often stressful. Now my son is 15 now and we often train together (especially winter). I coach his soccer team and XC ski team, which allows me to stay involved in something important to him and also connect with many of his friends. If I look back, probably going off and “doing athlete stuff” was probably at times stressful, but now I feel it is paying big divedends. Most of the other parents cannot stay involved with their teens in the same manner. They can’t play soccer, they can’t XC ski etc. I’m just sharing this to show how the value of an activity can change with time too and that being athletic can actually help us connect with our kids as they become older (not to mention set a nice example, about setting goals, putting in work, executing and not wanting to work when it gets tough, but still doing it).

I’m glad that darkhorsetri chimed in (I did not know the reference was to him). He got in a successful business trip and realized some personal athletic goals that his family supports. Years from now, when his child is older, his activities will also be a role model for his child, which is not such a bad thing!

15

Elements of his quote resonate with me, but like another poster said, I never feel alone. If anything, late in the race when things are getting a bit rough, I’ve tended to feel a very strong connection with others around me…other competitors, the crowd, my friends/family. The part about “no yesterday, no tomorrow, only now” hits the nail on the head for me as being focused on the present for that amount of time and feeling that level of exhaustion has led to moments of overwhelming joy during races.

16

…a 2 month old baby, really does not need much assuming one parent is around. It’s not like the 2 month old baby will remember if the dad was at Kona or not,

Not to hijack the thread, but there’s a lot of medical opinion that your statement is way off base. Early childhood development is essential in the development of personality and connectivity to both parents.

I feel bad for 2-12 month olds whose fathers wake up to train, go to work, and come home after the kid’s been fed just in time to give a bottle and put to bed. Not that that’s you or any other specific individual on ST, but it’s not healthy for strong familial relationships.

FWIW - I’m no expert, I’m just a father with a friend or two who are experts.

As for the OP - my personal opinion is that the Fitzgerald overdramatized the zen-like moment he is describing.

So by your statement, those of us in the military who are deployed while our childern are born are bad parents???

17

So by your statement, those of us in the military who are deployed while our childern are born are bad parents???
If you’re drawing a parallel between someone devoting too much time to train with someone in the military…I am speechless with that one. If you’re in the military, you return from your tour and then decide to train for an ironman vs taking those 10-20 hours a week and rebuilding that relationship with your kids/family, yeah, then I’d say you have an issue.

As for mr darkhorse, if that’s how you rationalize it to your family that this was a *business trip, *hey, it’s you that’s got to live with it and not me. Let’s not cloud this, like you’re the head of WTC or something and your presence at a race in the middle of the pacific is an integral part of your business model. Have a look at rappstar, he went to kona, took care of his work and immediately got back to his family and this is really his job.

If it were me, I’d say to myself you know what self, my wife is expecting MY baby, so maybe this year I’ll skip hawaii and work on building my business without having to leave them at home while I play in Kona.
**
The next thing we’re going to hear is someone chiming in with something like…what’s better, for them to be out training or out in a bar or something. I always laugh at those comments, as if those are the only options. How about you take a little time off from your selfish HOBBY for a little bit and commit yourself equally to something that really matters, like being a father.

As for Dev: Perhaps he’ll be one of those dads who is totally engaged in the life of his kid when that kid is a teenager when parents largely neglect kids anyway, and when they probably need the most direction…a 2 month old baby, really does not need much assuming one parent is around.

Wow, is that how these parents with newborns rationalize this freaking hobby? Hell, why don’t we all just plant the sperm seed, do an ironman every year and come back then when the kids are teenagers. More and more this sport is becoming an embarassment if this is the mentality.

At the end of the day, my children who are fully grown now, don’t tell stories about how their Dad was a triathlete, but they do talk about how I coached their sports teams and was always there. When are triathletes going to realize that outside of this little bubble, no one gives a shit whether you race Kona. Whether you do an ironman in 8 or 16 hours and the reason why, is that there are many more important things in life, than spending it chasing some finish line. It’s said that so many triathletes become so wrapped up, that they fail to see this.

18

No. You’re confusing “choice” with “obligation”.

19

To some the books narrative maybe over the top but the underlying idea is not. If endurance training and racing was not a transformative experience I doubt we would do it. The period in the zone strips away the filters and judgment that normally exist. It is a more raw (perhaps real) experience because of the lack of judgment and conditioning. The nice thing is that even people that are totally disconnect from altered states of consciousness can experience this by pushing to their limit in an Ironman. It is this altered state which is the addiction not the sport itself.

20

what a load of tosh, thats the equivalent of running a sound track with a voiceover over your eveyday life! On the one hand I’m off to go get some tea now or in the spirit of the op I’m off to reconnect with my primeval hunter gatherer instinct honed over eons to provide the food my family needs. Failure is not an option I will go out despite the weather, no matter how cold my Mercedes is I will endure the climate until the aircon kicks in and then I will find food and I will return. Even if I face failure and am unable to find fresh pesto at the first supermarket I will not quit, I will try again and again and again if necessary settling for simple arrabiata is not an option for me!