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Before I had the " brilliant"  idea of participating at an Ironman, I was a spectator in France-Geradmer (2004) where friends of me participated. I can tell you that I never felt such emotions at the start of any triathlon a participated. And the biggest joke off al, I was only watching 1000 man getting started for their dream. I imagined what a rush it must be, standing there between these athletes.

For me it was mission impossible, I could never bring up the effort en hardness of  training for such an event. Days, months, a year passed on me, but the feeling of France-Geradmer remained. So I decided in November 2005 to participate at the Ironman Lanzarote 2006. Most people who know me called me crazy or did not believe me. Why? Well, I am not the example of a serious-die hard triathlete. Did not train enough, like(d) to go out, like to eat, ... The result of my lifestyle was that I was a triathlete only in the mind and hart. I had to made the decision for practicing triathlon passive or active. I love the sport and atmosphere around it too much, I could not say goodbye to it. So I made the choice (end 2004) to train again on a regular base, so I could reach a level for participating and finishing the 1/2 Ironman distance. I succeeded and it tasted sweet and I wanted more.

The second factor of the disbelieve was; "Who the fxxx participates in his first Ironman on"one of " the toughest Ironmans in the series." People wished me good luck with a "Oh you stupid boy" -look in the eyes.

I start training and everything went well, I managed to cycle about 4000km in 5 months, normally I needed 3 to 4 years for going this distance. The last 2 months I had some 20 - 25 hours training weeks. As D-day came closer, confidence was growing that I was capable of crossing the finish line in a decent way.

As 3 team members and I put foot on Lanzarotes soil, the Ironman started for me right that moment. It is not only the Ironman, it is a lot more. It is also the days before D-day and the days afterwards. Walking around tagged with the Ironman bracelet, going to the pasta party, checking out the courses, preparations, insecurity, feeling part of a community, the stories you need to tell after finishing, coming home (stories you need to tell), receiving congratulations, seeing the amazed faces (I know now how Jesus felt, walking over the water), wearing that finishers T-shirt. It is all this and much more that makes the circle round of the M-dot.

I am writing this as an Ironman. I started the Ironman with a flock of goose bumps and tears in the eyes, crossed that finish line in the same way. During the race there where also tears, but they were caused by the wind. I enjoyed every inch of the 140,6 mile course. Lanzarotes Ironman is hard, beautiful, during the race there are moments you hate it. But at the end you love it. It is not only the race with an amazing cycling course, it is the whole package you get. A very well organised Ironman with focus and respect for all the participating triathletes. The friendly, willing to help volunteers, an organiser who personally puts the medal around you neck, the treatments afterwards, ....  The inscription money is well spent here, it is a lot but I have experienced another Ironman event this year as spectator. And I was missing there the hart and soul I met in Lanzarote. Money was talking at the other Ironman event, and it felt not good. People called me crazy, stupid when I subscribed for Lanzarotes Ironman as an Ironman- rookie. But it is one of the best choices I made.

I 'LL BE BACK.


Quoting the race director after a crossed the finish and congratulate him with the beautiful well organized race: "To hear that from an athlete, that's why I am doing this for, thanks"

Danny Van Genechten