Ironman

The Ironman triathlon was conceived by John Collins and John Dunbar, both members of the ultra-elite S.E.A.L. division of the U.S. Navy in 1978. Testing each other by putting recognized race distances together back to back; the Waikiki Rough Water Swim (3.8km.), Around-Oahu Bike Race (180km.), and Honolulu Marathon (42.2km) 12 men showed up to compete and see who would earn the right to call themselves Ironman. Today there are 22 Ironman events world wide with an average of 2000 participants in each one ranging in age from 18 to 70+.
Becoming an Ironman is a long and challenging process. The saying ?the first step is the hardest step? was never more true then in Ironman as the first step is handing over $550. From that point forward Ironman becomes a way of life, the reason for training, eating, sleeping and breathing. It becomes the sole focus of life not only for the athlete but also for the family. On average Ironmen will train for 32 weeks, for upwards of 25 hours per week, completing two sports each day and covering over 150k in the pool, 5000k on the bike and about 2000k running. One would think this alone would qualify the athlete as an Ironman but in order to claim this title the final test known as race day must be endured.
On July 24 four locals participated in Ironman Lake Placid in near perfect weather. Becoming Ironmen for the first time were David Denison in 13:13:24, Kelly Cranston in 14:20:56 and Dennis Hills in 12:20:12. In his second outing at the Ironman distance was my husband, Jeff Musson 14:12:43.
Those are the facts but Ironman is not about facts, numbers or speeds, it is about pure unadulterated emotion from the crack of the gun forward as athletes and spectators are subjected to waves of undulating feelings. Each element has its own cut-off time beginning with the swim in 2:20:00. As the kayakers and remaining spectators cheer the final swimmers in to cross the line before that time their anticipation is rewarded by a perfect finishing rate. On the bike the first 90k lap must be completed before 1:30pm and the final lap must be completed by 5:30pm. This is where it begins to tug at the heart as you watch people not make one cut-off or another. You know they will be permitted to finish that task but will not be allowed to continue on, their faces not betraying that reality as they ride hopefully past. Those who have been successful now have to make that final time of 17 hours by crossing the finish line by 12:00am.
An Ironman finish line is one of the most inexplicable and wondrous places to be. Men and women who have been put to the test are ushered in to the bright lights and booming voice of the announcer accompanied by family, fellow athletes or solo, are wrapped gently by waiting volunteers and caressed by the words ?YOU ARE AN IRONMAN?!