It's a good question. Why would anyone want to do this? Why would someone want to push themselves to their physical and mental limits? Why go through the pain of training and competing? Why risk failure?
So why am I doing this?
I didn't really know much about Ironman until the event came to Tenby. Over the years I have seen friends and others local to the area I know compete and quite frankly I was jealous. I looked at them and thought "I will never be able to do that." 4 or 5 years ago, this statement was accurate for my physical condition. I had become quite overweight, had a lazy lifestyle with little to no exercise and a poor diet (I say poor, what I really mean is shocking!)
It was after my first son was born that I took a long hard look at myself. I wasn't happy with what I saw. So, I joined a gym and began trying to get fit. Problem was I didn't know what I was doing and my diet wasn't any better I'd head to the gym them come home and have a curry. Brilliant! I lost some weight but after three years I hadn't got very far.
After our honeymoon in 2013, I went to a fitness boot camp which was brilliant! Not only were the workout sessions awesome, but it came with a step by step eating plan. This did the trick. I lost a lot of weight and my fitness levels are now the best they have ever been (still a long way off Ironman standard). So my first answer to why is fitness.
But surely there are less ridiculous ways to get fit other than an Ironman?
Since becoming obsessed with fitness and training, and it has become an obsession, I have entered a lot of running or multisport races. Only short ones, usually a 10k, half marathon or sprint triathlon, but each time I cross the finish line I feel such a buzz. I want to sign up for another race right there and then. The sense of achievement I get from completing a race is such a great feeling. Made even better knowing how far I have come and where I have come from. So to be able to achieve Ironman status would be immense! So my second answer is achievement.
Usually when I enter a race, friends and family come to watch. This is amazing. Last year I ran the Westonbirt and Tenby 10k runs. Lucie and the boys were there to watch them both. To see Madoc clapping and cheering in the crowd was just one of the best feelings and really did boost my energy levels and confidence. I hope to complete the Ironman in a year and a half's time, and every time I'm out training I have one image in my mind which really drives my on: I picture myself running down the home straight on the seafront of my home town; I can see my family in the crowd cheering, Lucie and the boys helping to get me over the finish line. I'll be so proud of myself if I complete this race, but I really hope to make my family proud more. So my third answer is Pride.
As I have mentioned in other posts, Rhys and I like to sign up for stuff just because it sounds different, it's something new or just for a laugh. But the main reason we sign up for things is we both like a challenge. A prime example of this is when we signed up for Wiggle Mountain Mayhem, a 24 mountain bike race. We were completely out of our depth in this event, but I think we signed up because the prospect of a 24hr race got us curious. It was different, something cool to say we have done, a challenge. The Ironman provides a similar curiosity. It's not just a regular triathlon - which is tough enough - it's a beast of a triathlon. The ultimate challenge. It's held the attention of Rhys and myself for years and now its going to become a reality. So my fourth answer is challenge.
I think for me, the biggest reason for why I'm doing this is: I want to see if I can do it. I have tried my hand at many things during my life but have never really excelled in anything. When I was younger I played basketball at a competitive level. I was not the best player by a long way, I wasn't even that good but I loved the game and loved playing it. Since taking up triathlon disciplines, I have found something else that I love doing. I'm not the best at it but I love it. However, this time I want to see if I can go somewhere with it, I want to see if I can do what I never believed I could do. I want to see if I can push myself further than I have before. I want to prove to myself that I can accomplish anything if I put my mind to it. So my final answer is to see if I can.
For me these reasons are worth the pain of the intense training to come, the sacrifices which will have to be made, and the monumental effort to cross that finish line. Roll on 2016!
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