It’s time for a brief introduction, I’m Zeb, the older, better looking Running Brother.
My ultimate goal in this process is to become an Ironman. My brother first suggested that we attempt a half Ironman earlier this year. I had never heard of the Ironman, but it peaked my interest so, I decided to research the topic.
According to ironman.com, The Ironman World Championship is a competition that takes place every year in Kona, Hawaii. Only 1,800 people can enter the race. Their are two ways to get in, you can qualify for the race by performing well at other Ironman events or you can get accepted through a lottery system.
The overall distance for the race is 140.6 miles, a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run and in order to finish, the race must be completed in 17 hours. Typically, temperatures on race day are 82 to 95 degrees with humidity around 90 percent, and in the past racers have had to deal with winds that have gotten as high as 60 mph.
I want to be able to say, “I am an Ironman.” However, all my research did not give me an adequate answer as to what constitutes being an Ironman. Is it coming in first at the Ironman World Championships? Is it completing the course in Kona in under 17 hours? Is it completing one of the other qualifying events that are also 140.6 miles? Is it completing a half Ironman? Does anyone know how I can say that I have become an Ironman?
Take a look below to view a brief video preview of the 2010 Ironman World Championship, set to take place on December 18.