Life of an Ironman

[ZEUS]

GOOD GOD!!!! Even with 3000 calories, I am eating every 2 hours! I have no idea how I could eat 3 TIMES that every day!! What job allows you to exercise and eat all day?

[Triathlete]

I eat a majority of my food in the morning, during training and at lunch. I don't eat a lot in the evening and try to eat nothing after 8pm. I do a lot of liquids.
As far as job, I am an I.D tech for the sherifs dept. I do mug shots, fingerprints and fight with new arrestees when the need arises! I am on my feet 8 hours a day...not ideal for recovery. But its 40 hours a week mon-fri working evenings. All morning and weekends to train!

[CrnCnn]

Wow I am a couch potato and really feel so now.

My question to you is .. what drives you? I am extremely interested in MMA(Mixed Martial Arts) and really want to train but cant motivate myself.

[Triathlete]

I am self motivated for the most part. Of course having a coach crack the whip now and then helps also.
I know that a lot of people will pay to motivate themselves...if you pay you will go so as to not waste your hard earned $$$. Same thing with personal trainers in gyms.
A good way to go about motivating yourself is to set goals. You have the big goal and then set a bunch of smaller, easier to attain goals to achieve along the way. In the martial arts (which I don't know a lot about) it may be reaching belt levels and then a competition.
During the summer I don't have any trouble geting out the door...its sunny and warm. During the winter it can be a lot more difficult...I don't like the cold (this winter has ben nice ecept a few weekends). But I know my Ironman is early in the season so I have to get out the door.

[tomdietrying]

Man, that is great Billy. You can count on me sending you some positive vibes in April. I know you will do it.
Peace.
Tom

[Bimati]

Thanks for sharing, Billy....that's some incredible stuff.

I like it when VXer's share about themselves....good to get to know you a bit better.

Bim

[dkmiller68]

Gives me an idea for a post...I'm going to name it "Opening up a Little" and will start it momentarily. You'll be welcome to share something of a personal nature. I'll start with mine. I was struck by lightning (1981).

[Ldub]

During my time in Kona (83-93) I was always "on the fence" regarding Ironman competitors.
On one hand, they are an inspiration in their dedication & physical conditioning. To be in the crowd at the finish line, seeing these extraordinary men & women of all ages come across the line, is an incredible rush. There is a surreal "elictricity" in the air, the crowd cheering like crazy for every one of them. In many cases, well after the sun has gone down.

On the other hand, are these people CRAZY???...who in their right mind would DO that to themselves voluntarily? The Kona course (except for the swim) is a brutally hot lava field with a ribbon of asphalt running through it. I guess it is kinda scenic between Kona & the airport, but between the airport & Hawi...lava & resorts...& more lava. (cue Paris Hilton...that's hot)

Anyway, since meeting Billy last spring & reading this thread, I have a better understanding & appreciation of the triathlete mindset, but it would still help to be a bit crazy.

GOOD LUCK BILLY !!!

[Techy-D]

GOOD GOD!!!! Even with 3000 calories, I am eating every 2 hours! I have no idea how I could eat 3 TIMES that every day!! What job allows you to exercise and eat all day?

A former Coworker (big body builder) ate incredible ammounts, when we went through the drivethrough he would order and the lady would leave to get "our" order. We had to wait for her to return to give the rest of our orders, because she thought it was for the whole car full of us!

I've seen some neat things on the triathon, there was a guy who took his son through the whole thing (pulled him on a raft, extra seat on the bike,...) Major undertaking just to do it on your own! Be the best you can be!

[Triathlete]

That would be the Hoyts. Very inspirational and will bring a tear to your eye. Everyone always wondered how the dad would do if he raced on his own...the father said he'd never do it on his own, he was out there for his son (who is autistic). There has ben lots of stuff written on Team Hoyt. If you do some searching on the internet you will find some great stuff written on them.