Or, you get people you know say stuff like “I wish I could be as fit as you”. Well guess what, I wasn’t born this fit; you actually have to exercise consistently for many years. It’s not like I’m a gifted elite athlete; just actually try exercising regularly maybe… 
But no, that’s too hard.
Unfortunately, according to Strava, his HM PB is 2:07, decent sub 20min 5km though
Maybe I don’t see the big picture, but his issue may be a total lack of endurance. Not sure how much he can build in 10 weeks, but he needs to take things pretty seriously.
So not a “decent runner” by any means, looking at least a 5hr marathon at best. Gonna be a long day for him dodging cut offs all the way. That’s not fun.
haha, yes exactly that.
I’ve played organised sport since i was 7 years old. I missed one season of football between the age of 7 and 30 when i was travelling (but was still very active). Then i quit footy and moved to tri and then running and now a bit of both.
^^ Or do you mean this? 
It might sound a bit harsh, but I think it’s fair…
Ironman is supposed to be a tough challenge, otherwise what’s the point. If people fall by the wayside before or during the event, then well, that’s collateral damage, and I generally have no sympathy if it’s the former.
It’s like doing well at school: the vast majority of us have to apply ourselves if we want good results. If you can’t be bothered to apply yourself, expect poor results, and don’t come to me moaning about it.
Many people just can’t accept this simple equation.
I actually do want to help people on IMJ, but they also need to be realistic. Its fine to be positive, but if you haven’t done the training, or can’t swim, then on race day you’ll have a problem.
This guy did ask for help, and he knows he is in trouble. He is looking for advice and trying to determine if it is too late. In my view it is touch and go, and it probably won’t be a terribly enjoyable experience. If he wants to go for it, he needs to train properly on the bike for the next 8 weeks. Sounds like he can swim, and will probably manage a run/walk, so its all about the bike
I was at the pub with a friend last weekend, and he’s an ex-professional sportsman at a high level (Rugby International). He’s gotten into some endurance stuff since retiring and often asks me for advice. His latest plan is the London to Paris Ride. He was asking me what a respectable average speed was; you know, the Cracknell sort of mindset.
I just told him to just get/stay fit and to focus on enjoying it!
With the adults i coach i try to instil that in early, “look its ok to miss sessions, in fact i expect you to”. Its a fine line as ive lost a couple of potential Kona QF’rs with my more laissez faire attitude which can come across in the first meeting. One was telling me how he had a 12hr a day job but would train until midnight, be up at 5.30 for pre work training. I tried to reason with him, he decided to go with another coach who probably blew smoke up his arse and told him he was a champion. I was more realistic, you’ll burn out, its meant to be fun. I told one guy, he was after sub 10 not Kona, look sometimes there are more important things so consider what you want from the sport and don’t stress over an arbitrary time. He decided I was right and didn’t need a coach 
he ended up a one and done, didn’t even get close to sub 10.
I really hate that. I used to get it at Voda. There were a few runners in the dept, one that was close to me but slower (and 5 yrs younger) a 45 yr old lady who was very fast, sub 90 min HM and very disappointed with a 3.15 Mara that she qualified for FLA with (I had heaps of respect for her).
A couple of loud mouth guys that were in their 30s that were all mouth and no cock. (one of them did London in 4.38, single, no kids and you’d think he’d won the Olympics!)
And the one that really ground my gears was this morbidly obese, vape sucking, food hoover that took up Park Run(walk). Good on her for doing it but jesus christ, she became an instant expert on everything, giving me advice on shoes, nutrition and everything.
With the exception of the 45 yr old lady, every single time any of us were in the same race, I was always the fastest and the others always had excuses. Then came the retorts from the food hoover ‘oh it’s alright for you, it’s easy, you’re a machine’ blah blah. I got really fed up with trying to explain that I hurt as much as they do, I just move faster. I get just as emotional at the end of a big race but I’m not a machine. That implies you can just flick a switch.
But it was all in vain. I did the Greenham Common lap ultra thing in Dec 2019, it had a 7hr limit IIRC, so did the the big lady. She walked one 7km lap in 1hr15, called it quits and left. I ran 8 laps for 57km.
Next day in work, who do think all the accolades and ‘well dones’ went to? 
Did I accidentally click on the 'I wish people realised how hard I have to work to be this awesome thread?
No, you clicked on the ‘I wish uninformed gobshites at work would keep their trap shut’ thread. 
That’s so topical.
I’d still take a fast time ( any race ) branded means nothing to me, over a Kona Q.
We are all different I guess.
Looking back I should have accepted the roll down in 19, I could have easily have afforded to go, now… not so much…with no foreign athletes this year and two guys who beat me by 7 and 9 mins unable to race who knows what will happen.
That said I’m a few levels down from 2019 now, in fact I currently can’t walk properly.
Could even be swim / bike only as I can’t defer.
Food hoover !
The pain in my calf almost disappeared then, well done FP.
Lolz
Isn’t that the purpose of this entire forum?!!??!
We all know how hard it is. We really have got this bro, for real
smashing it!
Some people don’t even have a hurtbox, nevermind live in it like what we do 
What is he, a fucking hamster?
One leg?
Helium balloon salesman?
quite a lot of ex-rugby players turn to some sort of endurance sport - here’s one typing now - as a way of giving themselves a challenge and to keep fit. rugby players tend to fall into 2 categories when they retire from playing - those who stay fit through whatever means, and those who drink themselves into an early grave. that’s a bit simplistic of course but it’s a reasonable summary I think.