What does it take to become an Ironman?
For me it took:
- 36 weeks of training specifically for the Ironman, not counting 2 years of triathlon before that.
- Very understanding, patient and supportive wife and family! (Thank you darling.)
- 101 hrs 54 min - 126 miles of swimming
- 235 hrs 20 min - 3329 miles of bike riding
- 114 hrs 45 min - 754 miles of running
- Lots of Gatorade, gels, bars, bananas, lots of driving to Madison to ride the bike course, many stays at hotels. Many tired days, many short naps on the train during the commute to work.
- Ridiculous amounts of sweat and stinky clothes, lots and lots of showers and lots of times smelling like chlorine all day.

I’m not going to write a huge report though it seems like I can write a book about it. There are lots of reports about Ironman Wisconsin and lots of course description, but this is a little bit about how I felt. I want to share, because I like reading other peoples reports and was always inspired by them.
Since it was my first Ironman, my goal was to finish under 17 hrs because I didn’t know what will happen to me doing such distance.
The amount of emotions over that weekend overwhelmed me. I loved everything about it, even when we got a ticket for parking in Madison. The organization of the race was great. The volunteers were very helpful during the whole time, from the check in to the catchers at the finish line. I volunteered before myself and was very impressed with everyone and especially the guy who helped me after the finish line. He got my shirt, hat, got me water, made me take a picture and walked me to the exit making sure I am able to walk myself. I wanted to get his name but maybe I was a bit out of it and I didn’t. I was ok and could walk but either way wanted to thank him. Thank you to all volunteers and supporters.

Swim is my weakest sport but to my surprise I was not afraid to enter the water at all, I was afraid I would not make the cut off but I swam in 1:29:58 When I walked out of the water I didn’t know my time but I saw many people exiting water with me which meant I was not the last one. Then I ran to T1 smiling the whole way, finally realizing that I was doing the Ironman tri.

Bike apparently is not my strongest sport either, but I was ready for two loops of the hills. Rode in 7:12:20, nothing out of the ordinary, except for a few people with flats and saw one girl with a broken crank, I felt bad for her and hoped it wouldn’t happen to me.

Run was great. I felt great and ran the first 18 miles holding a good constant pace of about 10min/mile, on the last 6 or so miles had something wrong with the arch in my right foot and had to walk a bit but finished the run in 4:46:15 Loved it when people would scream out my name, because to me it meant they took the time to read Konstantin on my bib while I was moving.
Saw my family on the run and stopped to take some pictures with them.
Overall time 13:43:42

It was my first Iron distance triathlon and definitely not the last. The energy from the crowd of supporters at this race is great and I would recommend it to anyone.
It’s been 5 days since I became an Ironman and I still enjoy even thinking about it.