Ironman Finisher Goes 5 Days Without Mentioning It, Shattering Previous Record
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A local man went five days without once mentioning his Ironman triathlon finish, Dumb Runner has learned, smashing the previous world record by 36 hours.
Anthony Stark, 28, who completed the 2019 Ironman Wisconsin, refrained from referring to that fact—or even from using the word Ironman at all—from 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28 to 5:15 p.m. on Monday, August 2.
The previous record, set in 2017 by California triathlete Jack Kirby, was 3.5 days. Some consider that record tainted, however, pointing out that Kirby suffered severe laryngitis for the duration. (Midway through his fourth day of silence, Kirby realized he could use a whiteboard and dry-erase marker to tell a visitor that he hoped his illness wouldn’t affect his Ironman training.)
Before his record-setting streak, Stark had found a way to work his Ironman finish into conversation, either in person or online, at least once every 48 hours. That interval is typical of Ironman finishers, experts say. Athletes training for their first Ironman might mention the event as often as twice daily.
It is unclear what prompted Stark’s five days of silence. Whatever the reason, triathletes said, the feat could not have been easy.
“For an Ironman competitor not to mention, in casual conversation, the fact that he’s done an Ironman, or is currently training for one… that’s super hard,” Don Heck, a four-time Ironman finisher, told Dumb Runner by phone. “Maybe as hard as doing the Ironman itself.”
Heck paused.
“I don’t say that lightly,” he said. “I’ve done four Ironmans myself, so trust me, I know how hard they are.”
“I was just thinking about this yesterday, in fact, during a four-hour bike ride,” added Heck. “I’m training for a 70.3 in Santa Cruz.”
