Almost every time I read of your adventures, I'm transported back to my old stomping grounds. Lone Pine. 395. Mt. Whitney. Used to be all over that area, up and down 395 on my motorcycle. Rode down from Mt Whitney into Lone Pine once standing on the bumper of an RV and holding on to some (window?) bars because we didn't want to walk back down and the RV guy didn't want me and my friend inside for some reason. :)
But running? Nope, couldn't do that. I certainty admire your determination and stamina, James. What an adventure!
Hi, Victor. We do have things in common. 395 has to be one of my favorite drives, anytime of the year. Have done it on motorcycle, also. Would love to live in Lone Pine. That's crazy with your RV ride. Good to hear from you! Thanks.
Oh. My. Goodness! I have always admired your adventurous spirit and your tenacity, Ron, but this story beats all. That you would undertake such a grueling experience has given me an even healthier respect for you. Thanks so much for sharing this story. I see you in a new light.
Wow,James, you are a man of varied interests with the common denominator of challenging. Blisters plagued me while playing football and basketball in Jr. & Sr. High School. Fortunately, I had great team managers that took good care of my feet. Looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you K.C. With the force generated on the feet with all the pivoting and such in football and basketball, I can see how blisters would be a big problem, for sure. They can really take you off your game.
I played a lot of sports when I was young but I don't think I was ever in the kind of shape needed for something like this. Plus the altitude--people don't realize the effects of lower oxygen. I think there is also a mental discipline required for this kind of endeavor which is something that most of us do not possess. Kudos to you for your determination. Looking forward to the conclusion.
It takes time to build the endurance. "They" say it generally takes about 5 years training and experience to reach your peak for long distance events regardless of the age you start. That was about true in my case. Re the altitude, I felt drunk, but not sick or head-achy. "They" also say being not very bright is an asset for these events. : ) Thank you, Jim!
Thank you for sharing. I appreciate even the goal for this race and the training for it. I can relate a bit. I’ve done a few marathons and the blisters are part of the deal. The ironman was my dream. I was able to do the 3 legs separately but not together. Some bodies must be built better?
Hi, Barry. I have never done a marathon as a race by itself, though I've done the distance in ultras. Marathons always seemed very hard, too fast for me. Funny how we perceive things. Ironman, with the extra equipment involved didn't appeal to me so much. Running was simple. I think most of it is in the genes. Thanks for commenting!
You sure know how to suck the reader in. I was going to save this for later in the day but started reading and couldn't stop. ............ I have a relative who used to be an ironman triathlete. The things he was able to do were incomprehensible to me.
I think almost anyone can do these events. It does take desire and tenacity, like most things. And money. Especially something like Ironman. These events, equipment, and travel expenses aren't cheap. A large chunk of one's day is spent in training and there is no way around it even with gifted athletic abilities. Thank you, Jim!
Almost every time I read of your adventures, I'm transported back to my old stomping grounds. Lone Pine. 395. Mt. Whitney. Used to be all over that area, up and down 395 on my motorcycle. Rode down from Mt Whitney into Lone Pine once standing on the bumper of an RV and holding on to some (window?) bars because we didn't want to walk back down and the RV guy didn't want me and my friend inside for some reason. :)
But running? Nope, couldn't do that. I certainty admire your determination and stamina, James. What an adventure!
Hi, Victor. We do have things in common. 395 has to be one of my favorite drives, anytime of the year. Have done it on motorcycle, also. Would love to live in Lone Pine. That's crazy with your RV ride. Good to hear from you! Thanks.
Oh. My. Goodness! I have always admired your adventurous spirit and your tenacity, Ron, but this story beats all. That you would undertake such a grueling experience has given me an even healthier respect for you. Thanks so much for sharing this story. I see you in a new light.
That's a very nice thing for you to say, Sharron. Thank you very much.
👍🏻🩷
Wow,James, you are a man of varied interests with the common denominator of challenging. Blisters plagued me while playing football and basketball in Jr. & Sr. High School. Fortunately, I had great team managers that took good care of my feet. Looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you K.C. With the force generated on the feet with all the pivoting and such in football and basketball, I can see how blisters would be a big problem, for sure. They can really take you off your game.
I played a lot of sports when I was young but I don't think I was ever in the kind of shape needed for something like this. Plus the altitude--people don't realize the effects of lower oxygen. I think there is also a mental discipline required for this kind of endeavor which is something that most of us do not possess. Kudos to you for your determination. Looking forward to the conclusion.
It takes time to build the endurance. "They" say it generally takes about 5 years training and experience to reach your peak for long distance events regardless of the age you start. That was about true in my case. Re the altitude, I felt drunk, but not sick or head-achy. "They" also say being not very bright is an asset for these events. : ) Thank you, Jim!
Thank you for sharing. I appreciate even the goal for this race and the training for it. I can relate a bit. I’ve done a few marathons and the blisters are part of the deal. The ironman was my dream. I was able to do the 3 legs separately but not together. Some bodies must be built better?
Hi, Barry. I have never done a marathon as a race by itself, though I've done the distance in ultras. Marathons always seemed very hard, too fast for me. Funny how we perceive things. Ironman, with the extra equipment involved didn't appeal to me so much. Running was simple. I think most of it is in the genes. Thanks for commenting!
You sure know how to suck the reader in. I was going to save this for later in the day but started reading and couldn't stop. ............ I have a relative who used to be an ironman triathlete. The things he was able to do were incomprehensible to me.
I think almost anyone can do these events. It does take desire and tenacity, like most things. And money. Especially something like Ironman. These events, equipment, and travel expenses aren't cheap. A large chunk of one's day is spent in training and there is no way around it even with gifted athletic abilities. Thank you, Jim!