Denise (Iron Mom)- I've got a question for you

[Running Mommy]

Yeah Lise, there are those people. At the pre race banquet they had people stand up that had never done another tri before- of any distance. This was their very first race. I think at least 6-8 stood up. In my mind that's like entering the kentucky derby before you can even ride a horse.
I hate to say it, but I bet a good number of those folks never finished.

I really think that because Ironman is becoming mainstream, and alot of *regular* folks like me are doing it, people automatically asssume it must not be *that* hard... So they sign up, do minimal training, don't really pay attention to the other componets such as nutrition, and then they crash and burn on race day.
It's kinda like when I'm racing and I hear a guy say to his wife/gf "Don't let that fat chick beat you"... And then see her struggle to keep up with me. Yeah, I may be fat, but I put the miles in. And just because you are skinnier than your competition doesn't mean you are going to be fitter. If you didn't log the miles, you didn't log the miles. Thin does NOT equal fit. period.
So I really think that is alot of it. People see "thick" folks like me out there doing our thing and say to themselves "I'm thinner than them. So there is no reason why I can't if they can"... But then they don't log the miles.

Like marathon, IM is a distance that you simply cannot cheat in training. You either did the mileage or you didn't. And if you didn't you most likely will not hear Mike Reilly calling you home- except in your dreams.

Ok. Off my box now! Can you see this gets to me too!!

[KSH]

Yeah Lise, there are those people. At the pre race banquet they had people stand up that had never done another tri before- of any distance. This was their very first race. I think at least 6-8 stood up. In my mind that's like entering the kentucky derby before you can even ride a horse.
I hate to say it, but I bet a good number of those folks never finished.

Wow. That is truly shocking. NEVER done a tri before... and they go for an Ironman? What the hell are those people thinking?

It sounds like they paid the price though... for being so pompous and egotistical. Hopefully, they were humbled by the Ironman "gods".

It's kinda like when I'm racing and I hear a guy say to his wife/gf "Don't let that fat chick beat you"... And then see her struggle to keep up with me. Yeah, I may be fat, but I put the miles in. And just because you are skinnier than your competition doesn't mean you are going to be fitter. If you didn't log the miles, you didn't log the miles. Thin does NOT equal fit. period.

That is SO TRUE! When I first start racing, I would size up my "competition" based on their body types. MISTAKE! I can't tell you how many skinny people I passed and how many *overweight* people kicked my butt. I know better now.

[Tri Girl]

Not train for an IM? You might as well just grab a sock, some bars of soap, and start beating yourself to death and pocket the hundreds (thousands) of dollars you'd spend on equipment and race entry fees. How ridiculous. You must admit tho- if you actuallly finished one with no training you'd be a stud (but that's extremely unlikely). I saw quite a few hundred DNF's at IMAZ. Sad...

Have you read Slow Fat Triathlete by Jayne Williams? It's a hilarious book about a normal person, like me, who is an overweight triathlete in a world of "skinny mini" athletes. She is a humorous writer, and I loved all her tips and stories about her races. My favorite tip is to soak in a hot bath w/epsom salts after a tri. Mmmm... my muscles hardly get sore and it really relaxes me. Someone here mentioned a bath fizzy that is similar to that. What is the name of that? I may have to check it out.

Anyway, your stories of "thick" athletes made me think of her book. I'm a bit thick myself, and I may not be fast or skinny, but I can outlast about anyone. I've got endurance like the Energizer Bunny.
And, so true about athlete size. I like to think my rather ample hips and thighs are what get me up and down those hills and give me my power.

[Lifesgreat]

I recently read somewhere (I can't remember where) that triathlon is indeed "in vogue". It is something that is done just once so it can be checked off of the "to do before I die list" (Now, I am not dissing a list like that, I have one )

To me, triathlon is a lifestyle. Yes, I still have 25 lbs to go to get to my goal weight, but I feel better than I did when I was in my 30s. I can thank triathlon for that.

I hope that those who do tri for "the list" will get hooked and make it a lifestyle.

[Nanci]

I think the reason you see a few people in every IM that that's their first tri is they watch Kona on TV, and have a mental life-changing experience by it- so for them, it HAS TO be the IM. They aren't interested in triathlon as such, but by the IM and what it stands for, how it changes others, and they want to experience that life-change in themselves. I believe there are plenty of them that take it seriously and train. I think it's more the habitual triathletes who've been doing oly's and half IM's for a while, and been fine, just can't seem to squeeze in the extra training for the full distance- some of them are the under-trainers.

Nanci

[Lise]

Have you read Slow Fat Triathlete by Jayne Williams? It's a hilarious book about a normal person, like me, who is an overweight triathlete in a world of "skinny mini" athletes.

I love Jayne! Her book has helped me a lot. We emailed several times last year. She and Susan from TE helped me feel better about not being skinny, yet wanting to be a triathlete.

Jayne just did her 1st marathon last month. The race report was up on her website.

[Running Mommy]

Yeah Lise, Pringles make a great salt replacer! They have single serve packs now - little plastic tubs- that fit great in a Bento box. PLus when your riding they kind of melt in your mouth, which is a nice thing. I hate chewing and riding at the same time.
You know lastnight I was thinking back to when I remember seeing Kona on tv for the first time. I think it was around 1994. I was walking on the treadmill at the time, and I remember thinking how cool it was that people could do something like that. I also remember thinking there was no way in hell I could EVER do anything remotely like that. It seemed so hard, so out of reach.
I started crying.... Because I did it. It may not have been Kona- but it was hot enough! ...
I've been through ALOT over the years- cancer, major weight gain, etc. And I don't really think about it most of the time. But lastnight it hit me that what I did was kind of amazing. Esp. considering that growing up I was never encouraged to be active. And as a teenager I became a party girl and was addicted to drugs for a few years.
If you knew me growing up you'd probably be shocked that I did an Ironman. It just was not who I was. But I guess people change. Because now it *is* who I am. I'm already planning #2, and looking at ways to improve. I went to the doctor yesterday and she is referring me to a dietician. So hopefully I can get my weight down. I do know one thing. I am totally turned off by sugar since the race. And for a sugar hound like me who's trying to kick the habit- that's good! Maybe if I don't eat it long enough I'll lose the cravings. I can only hope!!
I guess it's not such a bad thing that triathlon is in vogue. It brings more exposure to our sport. I just want people to realize that IM is something to be respected.

[Blueberry]

RunningMommy-

I can't imagine that anyone would think an ironman *easy*. I was tired just watching the feeds for updates during the course of my regular day - I can't imagine being about to actually *do* one!

However, I do have to thank you for inspiring me! I've struggled with my weight for about 10 years (a peak weight of 210 and I'm 5'4" tall) and I'd been putting off biking goals "until I lose a few pounds." Now, thanks to lots of inspiration from you and others here, I've almost decided to commit to a century before the end of the summer - and I'm counting on a *lot* of training for that! I can't fathom adding an extra 12 miles of biking, swimming and a marathon to the mix. EEK!

I'll keep eating healthy, I just went to a doc, who did a full blood panel to make sure there's no *medical* reason I can't seem to lose weight - but I'm not waiting any more (not that I should have in the first place, but you know how it can be...) My mother is telling me I'll blow out my knees (I do know how to spin, thank you) and my grandmother is telling me I'll have a heart attack (I'm 27 with no known health problems - I keep trying to explain to her that biking - and hopefully losing weight - will help prevent a heart attack!). So - thank you! (and if you do IM Florida, I'd be honored to travel to come cheer for you!!!)

[Lise]

You go girl!

I'm so glad you saw your doc, and will go forward safely. I'm looking forward to hearing about your journey.

BTW--what is your avatar? I can't figure it out. Thx. L.