Ironman Triathlon: Racing Ironman Around the World

By Raymond Britt

The Ironman Triathlon. A 2.4 mile swim; 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run.

I once thought it was a completely impossible undertaking. I had no natural swimming, biking or running ability. I started training relatively late in life, running a painfully slow first marathon at age 34. But three years later, I had finished an Ironman Triathlon.

Now, after 29 Ironman finishes in only ten years, I get questions from triathletes all over the world with a similar theme:

How do you start, compete, thrive, survive, and ultimately finish one of the most challenging endurance athletic events on the planet -- an Ironman triathlon?

The best way I can answer is through the comprehensive race reports I've written about my Ironman experiences in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, New Zealand, Florida, Lake Placid, Wisconsin, Arizona and Kona. 22 race reports in all.

Why 22 reports? You'll find out: each Ironman can be a dramatically different experience. The 22 reports cover just about any obstacle you're likely to encounter, and describe what it's like to battle to the finish line in defiance of the challenges.

Real experience on courses around the world, in conditions ranging from frost-covered mornings to fierce rainstorms to 100+ degree days, on days when things went well and on days when things seemed to fall apart.

Race reports from my first, best and/or roughest Ironman triathlons that will hopefully help make your next Ironman -- whether you're a rookie or a veteran -- a better experience.

Contents

Introduction
1. Ironman Canada 1997: Ironman Debut 11:47:40
2. Ironman Europe 1998: Riding with the Pros 11:40:31
3. Ironman Switzerland 1998: The Hills Are Alive 12:46:07
4. Ironman Canada 1998: Too Hot to Handle 12:41:27
5. Ironman New Zealand 1999: Cold, Wet, Ugly 12:08:04
6. Ironman Austria 2001: Bonking on the Run 11:26:55
7. Ironman Florida 2001: Breaking 11 Hours 10:40:13
8. Ironman New Zealand 2002: Beginning of a Comeback 10:41:58
9. Ironman USA Lake Placid 2002: Qualifying for Kona 10:33:51
10. Ironman Wisconsin 2002: Kona Slot #2 10:42:49
11. Ironman Kona 2002: Ironman Triathlon World Championship Debut 11:17:21
12. Ironman USA Lake Placid 2003: Downpours and Crosswinds 10:49:06
13. Ironman Wisconsin 2003: Seeking Another Breakthrough 10:38:24
14. Ironman Kona 2003: Racing the Kona Sunset 10:55:27
15. Ironman USA Lake Placid 2004: Ironman PR 10:12:22
16. Ironman Wisconsin 2004: Down But Not Out 10:52:30
17. Ironman Kona 2004: In Memory of . . . 11:51:08
18. Ironman Arizona 2005: Easy Does It 10:36:05
19. Ironman USA Lake Placid 2005: Silver Ironman 10:41:59
20. Ironman Wisconsin 2005: What Drives You? 11:38:51
21. Ironman Wisconsin 2006: View from the Sidelines
22. Ironman USA Lake Placid 2007: The Painless Ironman 11:30:31
23. Everything You Need to Know to Finish an Ironman Triathlon
End Notes

The eBook is published in pdf format and sent via email. The cost is $15, about the same amount you spend on several energy bars, but the eBook will last you a lot longer. Plus, proceeds go to charity.