‘Iron Cowboy’ James Lawrence Is Making an attempt 100 Consecutive Ironmans

5 years in the past, James Lawrence did the unimaginable. Over the course of fifty days, the endurance athlete accomplished 50 consecutive Ironmans. For those who’re not accustomed to triathlons, that’s a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike experience, topped off with a full 26.2-mile marathon. The hassle landed him within the Guinness World Data with a number of achievements that haven’t been touched since. That’s till now: Lawrence is making an attempt the unimaginable once more, though this time he’s doubling it. That’s proper, he’s aiming to finish 100 consecutive Ironmans this time. “I didn’t suppose 75 appeared arduous sufficient,” Lawrence tells Males’s Journal, when questioned how he in the end got here to the quantity. The phrase is alleged with the no-nonsense angle and steely focus that’s earned him the moniker the Iron Cowboy. “And since why not?”

Lawrence is at present within the midst of the Hurculean effort in his dwelling state of Utah, surrounded by his staff—spouse, Sunny, and 5 kids. We spoke with the Iron Cowboy about how he’s coaching, recovering, and staying mentally match to finish the Conquer 100 problem.

How ‘Iron Cowboy’ James Lawrence Prepped to Sort out 100 Consecutive Ironmans

Males’s Journal: How did the concept of the Conquer 100 start?

James Lawrence: I’d say I first thought of it two years in the past. My physique was attending to a spot the place it was absolutely recovered from the 50 try. I used to be beginning to crave one thing new—one thing greater. Now that I’d completed the 50, doing extra turned potential. On reflection we began to see among the logistical and coaching errors we made. There have been clear issues we may implement to push the boundaries additional.

What sort of a bodily toll did 50 Ironmans take in your physique?

There was a tear in my shoulder I needed to cope with solely 5 days in. I developed extreme tendinitis in my legs, in addition to foot blistering and toenail loss. I consider I misplaced six of my 10 toenails over the course of it. I used to be experiencing physique deterioration all through, however you simply needed to study to cope with it. You learn to handle ache. The most important fallout I handled was fully numb fingers and toes after ending. It in all probability took me six months, if not a yr, for me to get that feeling again. And now that I’ve it again, I’m in a position to get again on the market and try one thing loopy once more.