This is my Dream, Ironman.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit. Aristotle

For almost as long as I can remember I have had a dream. A dream that if you had known me several years ago would have seemed impossible, even now the dream seems improbably. Yet, until I accomplish this dream it will always be in the back of reminding me I have yet to reach my true potential. I have to conquer an Ironman!

If you don't know what this means, let me give you a little break down. A few decades ago a few ultra athletes were arguing about what activity was more difficult; running, biking, or swimming. To settle the dispute a challenge including all three events was attempted. From this race the Triathlon, a race consisting of all three events, was born! Many Triathlon distances are available, but the Ironman has become the apex of all  Triathlon racing. A competitor must swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a marathon (26.2 miles). Most professional triathletes can finish an Ironman in under 8 hours, yet normal people have 17 hours to finish the ordeal. Even after a training program of months or years the Ironman is know for breaking the best of the best. An Ironman is truly a chance for one to prove how dedicated they can be to a training plan, and how hard they can push themselves on race day. Hopefully you will check out the video that I attach, it provides a small picture of what to expect from an Ironman. (or click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EokseUskyDI)

Now I am certain that this dream might be causing the reader to ask why? I must be insane to want to attempt something so hard, something so long, something so dangerous! Honestly, during some training sessions I ask myself the same questions, yet I quickly remind myself of the answer. Hopefully I can explain that.

Almost five years ago I was a completely different person than I am today. As I was about the enter my twenties I was not the person I wanted to be. I had always been in the trap of eating too much and not exercising enough. For almost my entire life I have had to deal with excess weight because of my lifestyle. I was depressed and disgusted with how I looked. I wanted myself to change, but I had no idea how. I was caught in a trap, and was cycling deeper and deeper. My weight hit an all time high of almost 270 pounds (which was about 36% body fat) on December 26, 2006 and as I stepped of that scale my life hit an all time low. I stayed up all night, crying, blaming, and making excuses as to why I looked the way I looked. Yet, sometime throughout the night I had one of the greatest breakthrough of my life, I finally had the courage to man up and take responsibility for my lifestyle actions. Instead of blaming everyone but myself, I realized I had made many mistakes in taking care of my body. I concluded that since I got myself into this mess I was the only one who could get myself out. I could change, as a stubborn man I knew I could accomplish anything I set my mind too, therefore I covenanted with myself and God to change my life for the better. I was afraid, worried, and if I would have known how hard it was going to be I might not have made that covenant.  Luckily I took the challenge, and have never looked back. I am so grateful for the courage my younger self expressed that night, and everyday of the 18 month weight loss struggle. (I am the guy on the far right)

In case you are curious, I didn't take any miracle drug, pig hormones, or magic diet. The principle of true and lasting weight lost is simple enough, but very difficult in execution.  I spent 18 months of my life eating lower quantities and higher quality of food. My weight loss was aided by getting at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise everyday. I started with run/walking, but with time I was up to running at least four miles a day.  It was over this time I became addicted to running! Nothing made me feel more free then strapping on some running shoes, grabbing an ipod, and going to explore. At the end of my 18th month weight loss period I had dropped to around 180 pounds, giving me a loss of almost 90 pound! Most my friends and family could hardly recognize me, I truly had changed. I noticed more than a physical change in myself. I had a new form of self confidence, a better determination to succeed at hard things, and now had a perfect stress reliever. I had conquered the impossible, and was so thankful I had to courage to walk down this path.


I wanted to see how far I could push my new body. So I set the goal to train for a half marathon, and after accomplishing that in April of 2009 I knew I could do more. I trained for and completed the Park City Marathon in August of 2009! (Not to mention I took 3rd in my age bracket, pretty good for a first marathon)  When I crossed the finish line of my first marathon, I cried, almost as bad as I did that night of in December. I knew I had officially made the change to a better life. I was a new person.


Since that running season I have picked up many other fun activities and competed in several different types of races including more half and full marathons. I have added weight lifting, hiking, and yoga to my workouts. I have competed in trail runs, Ragnars, and even a Super Spartan. Every challenge I have put before my I have conquered, yet at the end of every race I know I can do more. There is something inside of me that says I can push myself farther. There is a mountain out there that I am afraid to climb, tonight though that fear ends. I know that until I slay that beast, I will not know my true potential. I will never stand on top. So that is where the Ironman comes in. It is my grand beast, my epic quest, my noble discovery.

Now why dedicate a blog to my path to being an Ironman? That is simple. I am not here to boast or show off. I just wish to make myself accountable to others. The Ironman is the scariest thing I have ever set out to try, I will have to train for a year, and I need major commitment to keep me going. By posting about my efforts I hope to be able to stay motivated in the darkest times! Since an Ironman is such a personal event, I really don't have anyone to talk about my training with. This blog will give me that chance to express what is inside. I also hope that these posts might motivate others to believe in themselves to accomplish their own training goals. The stories of others always help me to push myself, and I pray that others may benefit from my experience.

So that is why I am here. Like that night five years ago I have come to a crossroad. Once again, I am about to attempt the most difficult and challenging event of my life. I am going to face my fears, I am going to push myself to my limit, and hopefully learn how to push myself past it! I will reach my potential! I am going to Finish an Ironman! I find it almost symbolic that I make this commitment on December 26, 2011.

My name is Kristopher
I am going to be an Ironman!