Here is where I think the issue falls for many people. Its not the 16:59 “finisher” they have a problem with. Its the fat-ass bastard who hasnt picked himself up off the couch since his sophmore year of college, turns 40 and a lightbulb goes off in their head. They think, “if I bust my butt for the next 20 weeks maybe I can gain some self respect, lose weight and be healthier and finish an Ironman”. They then go out and do just that and with God’s help, they somehow drag themselves across the line. They get the hats, tatoo and bragging rights BUT…and here is where the problem lies with some people…is they go back to being the same fat-ass bastard they were before the ironman. Only now, they are part of a distinct group of people. A group that is dedicated to STAYING IN SHAPE and continuing a competitve lifestyle. So I can see where the resentment lies.
In saying that, its a free world and much props to anyone who can cross the finish line in the allotted time.
They get the hats, tatoo and bragging rights BUT…and here is where the problem lies with some people…is they go back to being the same fat-ass bastard they were before the ironman.
i think your post is filled with hasty generalizations and is total crap.
i know several people who finished IM’s near the end of midnight…some had diabetes, some had one leg, some were 75 years old, some were dads who just wanted to prove to their kids that they could do anything in the world.
all i know is that anyone who steps up to the line has balls. anyone who finishes before 17 hours is an Ironman.
Great article, Tom! A lot of people who are able to post fast times forget how hard it is to train for an ironman and still show up every day to a full time job. Some people can do it and finish in 10 hours. Others need all 17 hours. The first time I did an ironman, I thought I was in the proper shape to finish in 12 hours. At hour 15, I still had 8 miles left. I was humbled. Trying to keep moving after so much time has passed is extremely tough. My body stopped digesting food. The tendons in my heels feel like they were going to pop out with each step. My muscles had been cramping off and on since mile 60 of the bike ride. My toes felt like they’d been pounded with a hammer. Crossing the line after so much suffering was far more emotional than if I had finished several hours earlier.
The journey is everything. The clock is just an accessory.
Here is where I think the issue falls for many people. Its not the 16:59 “finisher” they have a problem with. Its the fat-ass bastard who hasnt picked himself up off the couch since his sophmore year of college, turns 40 and a lightbulb goes off in their head. They think, “if I bust my butt for the next 20 weeks maybe I can gain some self respect, lose weight and be healthier and finish an Ironman”. They then go out and do just that and with God’s help, they somehow drag themselves across the line. They get the hats, tatoo and bragging rights BUT…and here is where the problem lies with some people…is they go back to being the same fat-ass bastard they were before the ironman. Only now, they are part of a distinct group of people. A group that is dedicated to STAYING IN SHAPE and continuing a competitve lifestyle. So I can see where the resentment lies.
In saying that, its a free world and much props to anyone who can cross the finish line in the allotted time.
To each their own. If you are doing an IM, a run race, a sail around the world race, or a potato sack race, what difference does it make to you what the guy/girl next to you does or what their motivations are? It is their right to go from couch potato to IM and back to couch potato.
In addition, I could never understand this whole “I am an Ironman” attitude. IM is simply an event. You have the everlasting memory, but aren’t you really only an Ironman while you are doing ironman? There seems to be an elitist mentality of some IM finishers which I find amusing. To perform any sport should bring joy and satisfaction - there really is no hierachy.
There must be SOMETHING to the 16:59 finishers, those seem to be the ones that people relate to and that every IM video show crossing.
Lots going on about IMs today, but I agree that anyone that has the cajones to step to the waters edge on race morning and gut out 140.6 miles deserves the title, whether it took them 8 hours or 17.
personally I can’t imagine doing anything physical for that amount of time. I’m too scared to even attempt an IM. anyone who does the event has accomplished it, regardless of the time required.
also, it seems that alot of people like to pass judgement on those who participate in the events–and water down their personal accomplishment. This I don’t really understand. Are people going to talk smack about me if it takes me 3:15 to do an international distance (this was what it took me in my first tri)? It’s just not right.
I have to question why anyone would resent someone else because they were once able to attain a level of performance few in the world ever will and found that maintaining it required more of them than they choose to or are able to sustain. Use your resentment energy on something worthwhile for God’s sake.
OK, I’m going to say what some people are thinking but dare not say for fear of flame. Before I do, though, this is not my view. I have yet to do my IM. It’s a very tough event and appropriate credit should be given to those who complete it.
Those with an ego problem have a problem saying ‘I’m an Ironman’ when Joe Fatass has also completed one. Joe doesn’t look like the Ironman type and when people look at him and know he completed one, they’re thinking, “Well, he’s a fatass. It can’t be that hard.” Joe’s diluting the greatness that Ironman is. And that’s taking away the glory for those who are looking for their friends to kneel before them in awe.
Now, anyone who can say they qualified for Kona… I bow down before you in awe!
Do the same people who are pissed at Joe Fatass also get pissed at the people missing limbs or racing in a wheelchair who complete the race? Does anyone feel like less of an ironman because a guy who has no legs can also call himself an ironman? Hopefully not. Finishing the race is an individule accomplishment and shouldn’t be subject to criticism from anyone.
This post reminds me of the story a friend recounted to me.
He had just finished a marthon in 4.30 hours when he encountered the winner. He congratulated the winner and said how he wished he could run 2.15 (or whatever). The winner then turned around and said how much he admired the back-of-the pack-gang, saying that there was no way he could run for 4+ hours. Bottom line, its all relative.
How the 16.59 finisher chooses to live the rest of their life is their business. But for that fleeting moment, they were just as much of an Ironman as was the winner.
so you think that because an overweight person accomplished an Im that it reflects poorly on you and somehow takes away some of your glory, and presitge of the event itself?
sorry, but that leaves me baffled and speechless. it’s a personal event. not all about you.
I am most impressed with those people: Sarah Reinertsen, One-armed Willie (Did you see him rip it up at Maui Xterra?), and of course Dick & Ricky Hoyt, among many others. I bow down to them. Their participation in such extreme events is, well, extreme!
Tom,
Thank you for that. As one who struggled on Saturday, I could definitely relate your article. When I walked out of the med tent, collected my things, and walked back to my hotel at 11pm, reflecting on the day, I got choked up with gratitude that I had finished and felt nothing but kinship with those that were still out there. I learned more about myself on a difficult Iron day than I did on a good one. It wasn’t all pretty, but it was me, unrefined, unedited, unhomogenized, unpasteurized. I couldn’t deny the good or the bad. I was forced to embrace it all.
I resolved at mile 1 of the marathon never to do another IM. At mile 25.5 I resolved to do many more. I believe that one reason that the race is so successful is that anyone who can get to the starting line has a shot at becoming something extraordinary. Those that cannot see the merits of that I feel are missing the point. We should feel some kinship for those that have aspired to similar goals, not deride them for not meeting our expections.
Think about it for a sec - the people who finish in 17 hours are out there for almost twice (sometimes more) the times of the winner. Who’s more tired at the end?
"In addition, I could never understand this whole “I am an Ironman” attitude. IM is simply an event. You have the everlasting memory, but aren’t you really only an Ironman while you are doing ironman? There seems to be an elitist mentality of some IM finishers which I find amusing. To perform any sport should bring joy and satisfaction - there really is no hierachy. "
My girlfriend gets on my from time to time on this for the opposite reason—she says I should make more of a point to let people know I’ve finished three IM’s, like it should be a talking point at all times. I just laugh at her and say “hon, it’s not really that big a deal…”
It’s something I do, it’s something I enjoy training for and performing—even though it hurts like hell—but it doesn’t make me any better than anyone else. People I know and work with know that it’s a hobby, and they respect me for it, but I don’t brag about it. I remember reading something Scott Tinley wrote many years ago about epic workouts and telling the tales of same…that when you tell someone else about it, it loses its real impact on you. Or words to that effect.
I guess the bottom line is that we should keep more of this to ourselves…we would be better off for it.
Please Re-read KC… not me! I was imagining the ego-centric person’s feeling towards IM. I think it is a brave soul who toe’s the line of an IM. If they want to regale in the glory of their accomplishment for the rest of their life with a tattoo and a big story to tell anyones ear who’ll bend their way… .well, more power to them. It doesn’t sound like something I will do when (if) I finish. But that may change as I cross the line!