THE IRONMAN JOURNEY. ARE YOU READY?

Everyone's Ironman journey has a different starting point. It depends on several things that relate to your current physical conditioning and ability in the swimming, biking and running events that make up the Ironman.



You may also have issues like being overweight, smoking, drinking, drug abuse, or any number of other minor stumbling blocks that life has a way of putting in our path. I truly believe they are put there just to test us. If we resist and seek a better way of life it's not long before what was perceived as a major problem is left in a wake of self-discovery and accomplishment as you begin your journey to a better way of life on many levels.

The key to being successful in the quest to reaching the Ironman finish line is desire. People who are truly Ironstruck will find that it's call is simply overwhelming and makes our other problems not quite so difficult to leave behind. For instance, I had tried to quit smoking many times, but never could. I think it was because I never had a reason that was better than the pleasure of that smoke coursing in and out of my lungs gave me.

However, the day I decided I wanted to run and become a marathoner more than anything was the day I left my smoking habit behind. It was simple. I finally found something that mattered to me more than laying on the couch smoking 40 cigarettes a day and drinking 6 0r 8 bottles of beer and basically, going nowhere with my life.

I knew I could not keep both, so one had to go. The thing that mattered most to me stayed and the cigarettes were gone for good. You are quite capable of making the same decisions once you have become Ironstruck. Whether you are a smoker or 80 pounds over-weight doesn't really make a difference. Your past problems will disappear in a could of dust in your wake if your desire and the call of the Ironman is strong enough.