Irondad Life

A Year of Bad Decisions and Questionable Motives - What I Learned on the Quest to Conquer Ironman Lake Placid

By: Russell Newell

Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin, Julie McKay

Why do people race in Ironmans - a competition that was dreamed up by a US Navy Officer after a beer-influenced debate over who were the fittest athletes - swimmers, cyclists, or runners? Only a person whose good sense was severely impaired would decide to do a race marked by such agony and suffering - a race that makes no sense to normal people.

What type of person (lunatic) goes to bed at 9:00 p.m. and wakes up at 4:00 a.m. every day for 12 months, eliminates every fun thing to eat and drink, incurs thousands of death stares from an angry spouse, and spends a minimum of 10,000 dollars...all to put their body through a 17-hour torture chamber during which a potpourri of exciting, physiological wonders - such as dehydration, fuel supply shortages, oxidative stress, muscle damage, brain fatigue, and overheating - occur, causing the body to age by 20 years?

Russell Newell would find out when he signed up for the second oldest Ironman in the country: Lake Placid, in the idyllic Upstate New York village nestled in the Adirondacks that twice hosted the Winter Olympics. Russell would then question his sanity and test his resolve as he attempted to finish the 2018 Ironman Lake Placid...despite almost drowning, crashing on his bike, and nearly shitting his pants 18 times.

©2021 Russell Newell (P)2021 Tantor

Funny

Amazing to find yourself in that book, anyone doing sports will find out this extremely familiar

Hilarious, lighthearted, inspirational read

I couldn’t stop listening to this! It’s similar to autobiographies by comedians - funny, educational, entertaining, and inspiring. I knew nothing about the author or Iron Man competition before reading this, but I’m glad I took a chance on it. A quick, lighthearted, funny read.

One of the best books I have listened to in a long, long time!

As a 2016 Ironspouse, I laughed out loud - repeatedly - about the oh so true account of family life during any given triathlon season. At the end I cried, having been transported back to the epic moment when my beloved wife heard Mike Reilly call her name: ANNIE RUBENS, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!! It was a moment of immense pride and unbridled joy. Standing at that finish line, we had no idea that less than 2 years later, she would be gone, the result of injuries suffered during a bike crash while training for her second full distance Ironman. Annie would tell you, if you are an aspiring Ironman, secure the blessing of your partner and then live, love, train, and race like you mean it! And after everything, I would tell you, accidents are rare. Love your person enough to let them be who they are and do what they feel called to do in this world. Let them chase this dream - they may only get one chance. ❤️

10 stars

best iron man journey book I've read. I'm personally about 5 months into my journey and about 5 months away from my ironman in Waco. This book is hilarious. it's also very accurate. I've had some of the same conversations with my wife and they usually end with me saying "yes, but ill be an Ironman". the narration is also amazing. if 10 stars were available I would give it 10!!!

Hilariously Inspiring

This is one of my favorite stories so far. Very relatable and definitely inspiring. Going back for a second time now.