THERE ARE MANY things that I would say are crazy: sledding backwards down a hill studded with trees in the dark, winning a jalapeño eating contest, etc. Last summer I found something to add to my "crazy list," the Ironman.

This feat of human endurance takes the form of a triathlon consisting of 2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles biking, and 26.2 miles running. Because these numbers are so incomprehensively large, let me put it into perspective. Imagine swimming a lap in the pool and doing it 84.5 more times, then getting on your bike and riding to Indianapolis, and finally doing a two-mile fitness class … times 13. Sound crazy?

Well it did to my dad, Bruce Hajek, so he obviously made it his goal to complete one. Inspired by his colleague Andy Singer (a multiple Ironman finisher) and an Ironman in Nice, France (that we witnessed), my dad finished a half-Ironman in September 2007.

Thousands of bags set up at transition point for race day. Photo by Beth Scheid (click to enlarge).

Promptly afterward, he signed himself up for a full one in Louisville, Ky., the Ironman Louisville, which was due to take place almost a year later on Aug. 31.

The rest of my family was pretty skeptical — it seemed too inhuman to us — but we accepted it as another of my father’s ventures to push the limits.

In the year leading up to the big day, my dad followed a rigorous training schedule that included early morning swims and bike rides up to Chicago.

His increased activity led to an increased appetite. He would down half a box of cereal in one sitting. Any food that was left out became victim to his late-night prowling.

Naturally, my dad’s craziness became a great conversation starter. I personally loved to watch the reactions this topic produced from people. Yet my dad always was slightly uneasy whenever talk of his big moment came up: He would smile, talk little, and attempt to change the topic. He told us that he didn’t want too many people to know lest he should back out. But when his mom sent him two Ironman figurines two months before race day, he was committed, whether he liked it or not.

Finally, after a whole year of body-breaking preparation, Labor Day weekend arrived. My dad and Andy Singer headed down to Louisville on Friday, Aug. 29, to test out their racing conditions. They did a practice swim in the Ohio River and inspected part of the bike route. That night, all 2,000 competing athletes attended a pasta dinner at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

Bruce Hajek happy to be halfway done. Photo by Beth Scheid (click to enlarge).

On Saturday, my mom, sister, and I arrived. All around the town we could see the chiseled forms of athletes and their families, many of whom sported shirts with captions such as: "You'll make it if you just tri," "Ironmate," and "Shut up and tri." The town itself was decked out with Ironman signs, tents, and banners, all ready for the next day.

Before the break of dawn on Sunday, all 2,000 athletes headed down to the docks clad in wetsuits, Speedos, and biking shorts.

At 6:50 on the dot, the pro athletes jumped into the Ohio River to begin their swim. By the time my father jumped in, it was 7:26 and there were still a great deal of people behind him.

My mom, who saw him off, came back to the hotel to wake up my sister and me. We arrived an hour and a half later in time to see my dad find his bike among the thousands and ride off on the second part of his journey.

The sound at the transition point was intense. People were cheering at the top of their lungs, and every other person had a cowbell printed with the Ironman logo. Some people had air horns, others had whistles, and everyone was clapping. I don’t remember a single Ironman racer who didn’t smile or wave at the supporting crowd as they mounted their $500-$8,000 bikes and headed out of the chute. It must have been a good start to a long and tiresome 112-mile ride.

Bruce Hajek, right, and colleague Andy Singer, Ironman Louisville finishers. Photo by Beth Scheid (click to enlarge).

The final segment, the 26.2 mile marathon run, seemed to be the worst. The 92-degree temperature was taking its toll on the triathletes as well as the previous physical exertion.

Most people averaged at over 10 minutes per mile but they trudged on. As a supporter, I couldn’t understand how these people were still moving. We hung out at the 13-mile point and gave as much support as we verbally could to the weary runners.

The day wore on and darkness fell (the runners were given green glow-sticks so that they could be seen). We moved to the finish line where a large screen was set up to display each and every triathlete’s moment of achievement. Some of the finishers wanted to share their moment with their kids and grabbed them from the crowd as they ran down the final stretch.

Fourteen hours, seven minutes, and 32 seconds after he started, my dad took his last steps and finished, winning for himself the title of Ironman. He was 46th out of the 98 people in his age category and 1,058th of the 1,970 overall finishers. His times were 1:26:09 swimming, 6:39:34 biking, and 5:42:50 running.

Back at the Convention Center, there was free food, medical aid, and massages for the finishers — all of which were thankfully taken advantage of.

While they were eating, the finishers around me were telling epic tales of their 140.6-mile trek. They made it sound like an ordeal, but also like a fun, seldom-experienced adventure.

Andy Singer asked me if I would ever complete an Ironman. A year ago, I would have given him the "Do you think I’m that crazy?" look, but now, after seeing all of the work and effort that goes into one, I feel more inspired to do an Ironman than deterred. The pain only lasts a day, but the pride lasts forever.

And now I have proof that these pain-filled races are enjoyable — only last week my dad signed up for another Ironman due to take place a year from now in Wisconsin! I think I am going to go padlock the pantry!

Ironman Fun Facts

• The first Ironman ever was in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Feb. 18, 1978
• The fastest male Ironman finisher is Luc Van Lierde, with a time of 8:04:08
• The fastest female Ironman finisher is Paula Newby-Fraser, with a time of 8:55:28
• The oldest Ironman finisher was Norton Davey; he was 82 years old