Becoming Ironman Part 1: Prologue

[Rooster12645]

RESPECT!!!

My son and i just started our journey towards the finish. I'll be 49 and he'll be 20 when we get there. Thanks for the inspiration!!!!

[Lavaman3682]

THANKS SO MUCH for reposting this video. I watched it ALOT when I was training for mine

[IcekiteWOW]

the feeling of finishing the ironman is just ............ you cant describe it you va to feel it

[nukemed]

volunteering this year in madtown and going to register for next year. i love this video and watched it religiously prior to my first IM for inspiration. the video and the music are amazing. thanks again for sharing this with the us

[xpaddlerx]

great video my friend!

[bsdslacker]

Who the hell can dislike this video??? Fucking pussy!!!

[Waxer3929]

@bsdslacker Probably the people who don't measure up in life and won't ever do anything the slightest worthwhile or even be able to push themselves out of their comfort zone.

Or... it's just 10 people who thought it would be funny to give 10 dislikes.

[SaggyBawlz]

Fuck WMG.

[StevenWBradley]

Hey I'm citing this video in a research report im doing in ironman triathletes can you tell me your name so i can use it in my paper?

thank you

[xt4]

@StevenWBradley Hey there - I'm happy to help; please email me through youtube and tell me more about your project and how you're citing the video. Thanks!

[xt4]

CONGRATULATIONS SVEN! That is just fantastic. Great work, and looks like you had a strong race. I'll be doing Ironman Wisconsin again in just 6 days - can't wait. Thanks for checking in and providing an update, I really appreciate it, and congratulations again!

[sven31415]

xt4 i have one tip for your race. Dry to draft in the water as much as you can. It makes a big difference and you will save much of your energy for the rest of the race.

Good luck and have fun.

[soulfuldreamer]

So how was IM Wisconsin??? Please update and let us know...

[soulfuldreamer]

Ignore... reading your blog right now!!

[sven31415]

Hello xt4,

thank you for this motivational video. I wrote you one year ago about my first medium distance triathlon.

Yesterday 18:58 pm CET i became ironman. After 11:58 h

Swim 1:13 h

Bike 6:03 h

Run 4:33 h

I am so proud. Thank you

Best regards

Sven

[wagonman01]

I'm not sure if my comment didn't go through, got blocked or got deleted... I'll try again. :)

The perk of linking to this video from my Multiply website is that it stores its own copy of it... so if anyone wants to watch it again (and again and again) but can't access the full documentary link (it doesn't work for me), send me a private message through youtube.

To xt4 - fantastic video... if you request that I *not* link a copy of your video, I promise I'll take it off my website.

[nukemed]

xt...any update on the video. im a month and half from my 70.3 in florida and i need some inspiration

[usb3]

f..ck youtube policies and google group ... this is not a commercial video ...

[dpelayo101]

does anybody know where i can find the audio? (especially the intro of the video (there is two kinds of people........etc  )

[nukemed]

crap...this video is still my inspiration for ironman. so disappointed they are giving you a hard time with the audio, but look forward to watching it again when its whole again

[slayersa]

Where is the effin' audio YOUTUBE!!!

[xt4]

Hang in there - I'll be posting the entire documentary (not cut into all the pieces like here on YouTube) soon at my blog. It's a losing battle here at YouTube unfortunately. I'll post comments on all the videos and a video update as well when it's up and ready for viewing someplace else. Thanks for checking it out!

[darkreaper2890]

wow youtube fucking sucks with this copyright bullshit

[xt4]

Amen.

[PairOfBlueEyes]

Add another "watch this daily" as inspiration.

I had hoped to do my first tri this season but have to put it off a year for medical reason...so I made this video my hope page to remind every day I'm just waiting not giving up.

[farmboyjad]

lakes area tri? green lake?

where are you from?

[xt4]

I lived in Minneapolis when I did Ironman in '06, so most of these races are in Minnesota, with a few in Wisconsin. Nothing at Green Lake though, that I can remember?

[farmboyjad]

ah. one of the pictures looked like green lake, but wasn't.

[ulfthegoon]

OH YEAH!!

[returnforever]

Am I too weak if i have tears in my eyes seeing this ?

[xt4]

I'm glad you found it meaningful, rf.

[xt4]

No problem buddy - I appreciate the passion! :)

[CockDieselWhat]

Sorry man! Was sendin it to all the IRONMAN videos and obviously got a bit carried away. Didn't mean to put that here. Keep it up triathlete............

[returnforever]

Am I too weak if i have tears in my eyes seeing this ?

[xt4]

I'm glad you found it meaningful! :)

[CockDieselWhat]

Put back up the proper team Hoyt video!! You are destroying all that Ironman and Triathlon stands for; all this corporation wants now is profit.... Ironman is deeper than that; don't allow your greed to ruin one of the few honesty's that we have left. That video was better than what you post and we all know it. Shame on you....

[xt4]

Hi there - this video is my private journey - it has nothing to do with IM corporate. I saw you made this same comment on the Ironman channel, and that's probably the more appropriate venue. I'm just an ordinary guy over here doing my thing...

[skeletonrunner]

whats the name of this song

[nukemed]

its alanis morissette "crazy"

[vacillation]

Love to know what the soundtrack is on this video?

[erickfarion]

Hey, great videos man! Congratulations! Great inspiration!

I'm only 16 and I'm brazilian, I use to train at a computrainer (maybe you don't know, it's a training roll managed by a computer). And today I found there the "Ironman Wisconsin" track, so I remembered these videos and selected it :D

It was pretty hard, but today I was great, so no big problems! And I even downloaded the music from this video, and I just got crazy when it played on my Mp3 during this track!

[kjmjay]

im 18. cant afford to get a bike. but i did a marathon. once i reach the 42km line. i told myself. man im addicted.

[bbakk1207]

xt4,

awesome video man. I just completed my first sprint on 8/23 and i'm hooked. I watch this video daily as motivation.

[xt4]

Congratulations on your first sprint! I hope the race went well, and I'm glad you've found some motivation here. Best of luck as you continue!

[georgewatts94]

im only 13 so i cant compete in any long tris so im training hard till im 16 then im doing my first sprint distance, then il build up.

[chupacoto007]

PAIN IS JUST WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY

[sven31415]

Today i was cycling on the famous Nuerburgring Nordschleife about 150 km, 3500 meter climb.

On the last climb i talked to a guy who already had alread made 200 km and >4000 meter climb on this day and he said:

"My pain of today is my strength of tomorrow."

I totally agree and like that sentence.

[sven31415]

Hello x14,

yesterday i finished my first Triathlon. It was a medium distance Triathlon (2km/74km/21km).

I am so proud. Now i am a real Triathlete.

Best regards

Sven

[xt4]

Congratulations Sven! Great work, and I hope you really enjoyed yourself. What's next!?!? :)

[wagonman01]

I pretty much choked up with this awesome video. Good music, good words, good editing. I'm currently only at the sprint triathlon capability but I know wholeheartedly that this is just the beginning. I'm giving myself a 4 year timeline and in the end, I *will* be an Ironman.

[dgonzo2008]

Best of luck to you and have no doubt you will reach your goal.

[xt4]

Thanks wagonman, I really appreciate the kind note. Very best of luck to you, and I support your approach - many people are "jumping into" IM right now, even as their first triathlon, and you're doing yourself a huge service to take a multi-year approach. You'll learn so much more, and be better prepared. Keep me posted on your progress, and all the best!

[Lavaman3682]

Yea, agreed. I have the John Collins quote (the audio is from the 25th Anniv. I-Man DVD) on my email, but I have amended it slightly too..

(sic) 2 types of people....

"and those who say I WILL".

because for me, its like Kaizer Soze said..all you need is the will to do what others won't. good luck to all who are watching these videos.

[Lavaman3682]

correction: its not a John Collins quote

[sven31415]

I needed long time to understand that pain is not my enemy. Pain the healing process that makes the body stronger and if you make the decision to live and experience pain over and over again there is nothing you can not accomplish.

Now i can run 26 km, bike over 200 km and swim over 3 km.

Running is still a challenge for me and i work on it but one day i will be an ironman too.

Best wishes and thank you for your great video

Sven

[xt4]

Wow, quite a story Sven. Very best of luck to you as you continue to Become Ironman!

[sven31415]

I love your video. I have seen it a many many times now. It is a very good motivation to me and i will do a 1/2 IM next month. I am totally scared :-)

Not by the distances but by the event.

But i know "i can".

3 years ago i was totally screwed. I had a broken ankle and 2 surgeries in the knees. I had pain anytime in my knees and in my ankle and you barely run 10 meters.

[Lavaman3682]

VERY well done. And one more song to add to my playlist while I train.

Cheers!

"We do these things not because they are easy / but because they are hard"

-JFK

[xt4]

Thanks Lavaman! Best of luck to you!

[sven31415]

The starting sentence must be a little different:

There are only 2 types if people:

Those who say i can't

and

those who just do it.

[Heikki1]

what is this song called?? This video is such an inspiration!!

[Isidroma]

It´s called "Crazy" by Alannis Morissette. The original is Seal´s.

[gringoculero]

Just saw my friend, his 60 yo dad and 58 yo mom do ironman idaho together yesterday. Insane. my goal for 2010

[fsanan]

This is fantastic. I use this song to train to now for motivation. I have the Nations Tri in September and hopefully Kona next summer. Keep swimming, riding, and running.

[fweetysing]

I watched every minute of all 10 parts of Becoming Ironman. This inspires me! Someday, definitely someday soon...thanks for the motivation! (BTW, your family rocks!)

[xt4]

Thanks fweety! Best luck to you!

[simenhjort]

i agree so much. this video was one of the most inspiring i've ever seen. if i get the chance to do a triathlon, i will take it!

[PUPPYKICKER111]

actually there are 3 kinds of people. Those that say i cant, those that say i can, and those that say I AM IRON MAN.

[picher89]

I will just have my heart attack and die now rather than 80 miles into that race.... I could make the swim and probably 50-60 miles on the bike before I passed out, rofl!

[oogrooq]

this was great until they used alanis morrisette. ugggh.

see you in 2 1/2 years.

[keytoothed]

Just what I was lookin' for. Great post.

[zickj]

Very good motivation. Does anyone have any idea who the artist for this music. john/michigan

[xt4]

Hi there. It's a cover of "Crazy", originally done by Seal, done here by Alanis Morrissette.

[agsibarani]

Which type of heartrate monitor do you use for your swimmingpractice?

I have the Polar RS800, which is nifty little trainingtool but only good for running.

[boredbaby247]

I love this video; very inspirational. Makes me want to start training for the Ironman ASAP. Thanks for posting it. Keep up the good work.

[Nawlins5]

I've gone through some of your videos and their great. I'm a roadie, and am planning on doing some Duathlons in the beginning of 2008. I live in New Orleans and we're having a 70.3 Ironman in April of 2009 and that is my goal. My dad has cancer and I want to do it for him. Your videos are great motivation. I've got the bike part down but ain't looking forward to that water and all that running!

[rcf007]

Mate, thanks for sharing your challenge with us. Following each part, I realised that our journey were very similar (although from opposite sides of the world!) and your clips conveyed similar experiences and emotions. I became an Ironman this year too, within 3 minutes of your finish time, so it is no surprise they stirred the emotions. Take care buddy, Glenn - NZ

[gdmnmastah]

Man, i love this vid.

i am a 13 year old asmatic boy, but nothing stops me from winning mountainbike races, as i train hard, very hard.

once again thanks for the vid.

i am going to do an olimpic thriathlon and my dream is to once, when im big, complete an ironman aswell :)

[xt4]

That's incredible - to be able to accomplish what you do, while living with asthma - unreal. Plus - I just broke my hand mountain biking, so you're miles ahead of me there! Very best of luck with triathlon as you get into it, and keep dreaming big with Ironman - Anything Is Possible!

[gdmnmastah]

thanks !

[gringoculero]

I wass dx with a brain tumor last yr and it took my hearing on left side and balance.

XT4, you inspire man. I did my first sprint this last summer. and planning for 2010 IM!

[xt4]

Wow. I applaud you for your courage and determination - you've already accomplished so much that an Ironman will really just be a celebration of that. Congrats on your first sprint - I hope it went great. Good luck in training for IM '10, and please keep me posted!

[Looper56]

I've watched this video about 100 times, it's so motivating. Competing in my first 1/2 IM over the summer I was really hurting on the run and wanted to quit so bad. I just kept replaying this over and over in my head - it helped me get to the finish line. I'm sure I'll be doing the same thing in Madison in 08. Thanks for creating this.

[xt4]

Geez, thanks Looper that's really kind to say. I've had 3 really horrible HIM's, but keep pushing through, that's the only way to get there. Best of luck at Madison in '08, and keep me posted on how it's going for you!

[berni602]

I am a 20 year old college student with no Triathlon background. I watched your whole series on May 15 2007. Since then I have ran several races and even a 70.3. It was your videos that provided the inspiration, and I thought I should tell you, Monday this week I got into Madison for 2008. I hope to have a story as awesome as yours in some 360 days. Check out my 70.3 video on youtube...search Ironman Bernier. Thanks!!!!!

[xt4]

WOW. That is just AWESOME. I'll for sure check out your video, and definitely check in next year when you're around Madison - I'm sure I'll be volunteering or watching or something. In training myself again for '09! Thanks for the very kind words, and very best of luck!

[simkamak]

Great documentary! And I also enjoy your blog. Both of them provide a great deal of inspiration as I'm training for my first tri this Fall. Thanks a lot!

Question: What software programs did you use in making the documentary?

[xt4]

Hi there sim - thanks! When is your tri? I hope training is going great for you.  The software I used was iMovie on the Mac. Makes anybody look like they know what they're doing! :)

[simkamak]

I'm doing the Oly on Sept. 15 in Montreal. Excited as hell! I use a PC. Seems like a combination of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements can do the job as well and is easy to use. Have a blast with your races during the next couple of weeks!

[xt4]

Awesome - I have a Sprint race that day as well. Good luck! I've not used Premiere, but there are lots of Windows videomakers, so I'm sure something would work. Let me know if you post a killer video report or something after your race - or even just check in and let me know how it goes. Best of luck!

[vandytime]

Inspiring Story...

If you get a chance please check out our promo trailer for our documentary titled, "MY RUN".

A story about Terry Hitchcock, a man who ran 75 consecutive marathons in 75 consecutive days... to bring awareness to plight of single parents.

We would appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

[rm2949]

Simply put: Excellent. This an outstanding and inspirational video in what might be the best documentation of what it takes to be an Ironman. As someone on that journey, I wished that in Part 10 you reflected on what it meant to you. Was it worth the dedication, commitment, and pain you endured? Would you do it again? Will we see you in Hawaii?

[xt4]

It was absolutely worth it. It was the most unique, and one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned so much, and Ironman changed my perspective on so many things. I invite you to check out my blog at w w w-dot-becomingironman-dot-blog­spot-dot-com, and scroll through the archives to last September - I discussed pretty frequently what I was feeling, and what it was like, to finally have become Ironman. Oh, and Kona...I hope so, though only if I win the lottery!!!

[nazarbarr]

It's a great motivator for me! If I can't wake up or too lazy to do my 5am run or bike, this video helps tremendously. And with that kind of song, it pushes you..."to fly"!

[nazarbarr]

It's a great motivator for me! If I can't wake up or too lazy to do my 5am run or bike, this video helps tremendously. And with that kind of song, it pushes you..."to fly"!

[xt4]

The song is a remake of "Crazy", by Seal, performed here by Alanis Morrisette -

[niallbelpark]

Great Video

Any idea what the music is - singer/name???

[trihardathena]

Fantastic Video!! Thank you so much for motivating me onward to my first Ironman-Ironman FL Nov. 3rd 2007. :)

[risenflame]

Very cool. Nice video. Is this Vermont???? Becuase it certainly looks familiar....

[fitn40lots]

Makes me want to cry, fantastic video, great motivation to get out there and do it

[xt4]

Alanis!

[returnforever]

well done man, , whenever i feel down, i put your clip on , thanks ( i have a very tough life)

[rjrainmaker]

well done mate. who does the version of this tune?