Why I Race

I'm reading a book by Diana Tracy Cohen called "Iron Dads," which will hopefully help me find out how to balance my responsibilities between work, family, and training for an ironman. In Chapter 3, the author covers some reasons why men sign up for an ironman race. It has been 4 months since I signed up, so my decision is not a new one. Plus, I remember wanting to sign up for more than a year before I actually did, so this has been a long-term goal. But why? It's a fair question, and it applies more to just my ironman training. I have frequently wondered why I compete on a masters' swim team. So let's see if Cohen's book will help:

(1) Iron Distance as a Catalyst for Bodily Change: Some men sign up because they want to improve their outward appearance or inner physiology. At 6' 4" and 175 pounds, I have no weight to lose, so that can't be my motivation. Maintaining good physical health is important to me, but I don't obsess over it. So the only aspect of this category that applies to me is my desire to appear more muscular. I do want to work more weight lifting into my training, but that isn't really necessary to be an ironman. So this is a side benefit at best...if I do the extra work.

(2) Being a Role Model: Some dads do it to teach their children the importance of a physical lifestyle. My step-daughters are already athletic, and so is my wife. Besides, I decided to do an ironman before I even got married. So this isn't directly applicable to me, unless I consider other people I want to influence. As a professor of Human Biology, I certainly want to impress upon my students the importance of physical activity. I used the word "impress" on purpose, because I want my students--and others--to be impressed with my status as a triathlete. It would be great if my training and races creates within them a desire to compete as well. However, I think my motivation for being an ironman is not to influence others.

(3) Iron Distance as a Means for Doing the Extraordinary: Men sign up for these events for the experience of doing something they know is going to push them to the limits of possibility. There is a distinct chance of failure, but also a solid chance of accomplishment. I think this explains my own motivations well. I like to work hard at improving myself in all areas of life. I set goals and I work toward them. I keep lists and enjoy crossing things off as I do them.  Maybe becoming an ironman is just another milestone. I am an Eagle Scout. I got my Ph.D. I got a job as a professor and have received tenure. I bought a house. I have a family. I chair important committees at work and church. I want to continually grow and accomplish new things. Becoming an ironman is now on my list. Today as I write this, I admit that I am not sure I can finish the race this September. But I am now certain that that will not stop me. If I DNF this year, I will try again next year. Just saying this out loud makes me proud of myself. I am thriving on this idea. I will keep doing the extraordinary, this year, and next year, and for the rest of my life.

(4) Coming to Iron Distance through Media Influence: Some men sign up for an ironman because they see it on TV and they think they could be like the athletes appearing in the media. I admit this has influenced me. I saw a video of an 81 year-old man completing an ironman and I thought "If he can do it, so can I." I was also so influenced by swimmer Michael Phelps in 2008 that I signed up for swim lessons the next year and have been a swimmer ever since. I thought "that looks fun, so let me try." I have also enjoyed watching the Tour de France. I dream a little of what my life would have been like had I discovered swimming or cycling or triathlon when I was in my teens or twenties.

(5) The Appeal of Proximity: Some men sign up for a race because it is geographically convenient. Well, sure. But there has to be more to it than that.

(6) Something Larger than Me: Some men sign up for an ironman because they are fundraising for a cause, or they are promoting and evangelizing their faith. Faithful as I am, this is not my motivation. My faith is held private unless someone asks about it. As for fundraising for a cause, I actually hate doing that. I have had to raise money for my MS150 bike rides. It makes me uncomfortable because we all have our own interests and charitable causes, and support for that has to come from within. I only give to charities that I have some interest in. I don't see how I can influence the decisions others make.

(7) Exploring the Extremes of Pleasure and Pain: Some me sign up to experience great pleasure and pain, and to share the experience with others. I can see how this works, as it may explain why people form triathlon or marathon relay teams, or why the MS150 would be far more fun with a friend or group (I've always done it with a friend, but am considering a solo ride this year). But this isn't why I signed up for an ironman. I decided to do it solo, though Dan might join me on race day for the Half.

In summary, I think (3) best explains my motiovations for signing up for an ironman. I am driven to live a life of personal growth and fulfillment. Ironman is my next goal. Something will come along after that.