Lifestyle
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a break, although you may eat on the way, usually while
biking, and there are drinking stations throughout the
course. The time limit is 17 hours; races start at 7 am and
competitors have to finish before midnight.
Even though it sounds almost impossible to complete
an Ironman competition, many people have and some
have even completed several. Luc Van Lierde has been
competing since 1990 and has won the competition
many times. Like in most sports today, women also
compete in Ironman competitions. For many years, Paula
Newby-Fraser was considered one of the best; like Luc Van
Lierde she has won the competitions many times.
Icelandic Ironwomen
Did you know that many Icelanders have completed
Ironman competitions? Bryndís Baldursdóttir was the first
Icelandic woman to finish an Ironman race. She competed
in Germany in 2007. She didn’t start running until she
was 36 years old and was 43 when she went to Germany
and finished the Ironman there. Another Icelandic
woman, Karen Axelsdóttir, competed in an Ironman race
in Australia. She finished in ten hours and 56 minutes.
Karen had been training and competing in other triathlon
competitions for many years before trying the Ironman.
Now she works in London coaching people for triathlons.
In addition to good training and nutrition, Karen talks
about the importance of a positive attitude. When things
start to get difficult, the real training starts. Then it is
important to concentrate, keep your balance and focus.
Even though she is quite an ‘Iron lady’, she is just a normal
mother. She lives with her husband and two children and
has a very good education. She is educated as a personal
trainer and has a degree in business, so if she gets tired of
all the running she should be able to get a good desk job.
