Discovering Iron is a blog for anyone thinking about competing in an Ironman triathlon. My posts will be aimed ordinary people who may have little to no experience in triathlons or any other endurance sports. This is not intended to be a coaching site for advanced endurance athletes. I hope, however, its content will useful to a wide array of aspiring athletes and individuals seeking to improve their fitness.
I’m writing primarily from personal experience, as I completed my first Ironman just over a year ago. Before beginning my training, I had very little prior experience in triathlons or any of the component sports. I’m now about to compete in my fourth Ironman, and hope to share lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Training for and completing an Ironman requires a lot of time and focus, mental and physical discipline, and a careful balancing of commitments across all aspects of life. I can assure you, however, that it is possible to manage the training and complete the race. And, it’s very much worth it. The achievement of becoming an Ironman is gratifying. But, the journey to get there is the real reward. It will change your life.
-John
Recent Posts
- Do I have time to train for an Ironman?Anyone considering an Ironman asks this question, and in most cases the answer is “yes.” But, the real question is: “Will I prioritize Ironman training highly enough to spend 70% of my free time on it?” Time is a fixed constant. We each have about 16 waking hours a day, which we largely spend on …
- Race Morning, my first IronmanOctober 23, 2001: Waco, TX — 4:18am — 3 hours to race start I am here. It’s race day. I’ve been up for an hour and have three hours until start time. More than anything, I feel strangely calm. It’s possible the dark quiet of the early morning hasn’t allowed my nerves to set in …