The amount of fortitude required to just get through the training is unreal.
A few years ago, I volunteered to ride my bike behind the race leader of the Florida Ironman during the run portion (26.2 miles). The first leader I followed came off his bike averaging >25mph. He was running about 7.5 min/mile. On each lap of the course he would find his friend waiting for him, stop running, double over and cry. They would say a few things about his shoes, legs, or some section of the course, etc. Then he would take off again. When he passed his family on each lap he was completely focused and strong.
He bonked with a few miles to go and it sucked not being able to follow him up to the finish.
the_knob_man t1_ivcdn43 wrote
Reply to comment by justlooking128 in [OC] An Ironman Triathlon, by the minute by ptgorman
The amount of fortitude required to just get through the training is unreal.
A few years ago, I volunteered to ride my bike behind the race leader of the Florida Ironman during the run portion (26.2 miles). The first leader I followed came off his bike averaging >25mph. He was running about 7.5 min/mile. On each lap of the course he would find his friend waiting for him, stop running, double over and cry. They would say a few things about his shoes, legs, or some section of the course, etc. Then he would take off again. When he passed his family on each lap he was completely focused and strong. He bonked with a few miles to go and it sucked not being able to follow him up to the finish.