My man of iron. (In real life: first-person America).

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII -- "I was wondering how my body was going to do it from the ten-mile mark of the run onward. But during the last quarter mile of the marathon the crowd was loud and supportive. I never had so many people cheer for me." So stated my 45-year-old husband, Wid, in the land of manta rays and muumuus, after facing the super-sized challenge of the Ironman competition.

This world championship for triathletes requires participants to swim 2.4 miles in the choppy Pacific Ocean, then bike 112 miles across windy lava fields, and then run 26.2 miles in the heat and humidity. The race must be finished within 17 hours.

Wid was joined in his quest by 1,540 athletes between the ages of 19 and 80 from around the world and 49 states. Ironman officials report that more than 100,000 gallons of fluid replacement and 600 bottles of sunscreen were used up during the grueling race. More than 7,000 enthusiastic volunteers lining the 140.6-mile race course did the dispensing and cheering.

Wid finished in just under 15 hours. As he jubiliantly crossed the finish line in downtown Kona, I hung a lei of tropical flowers around his neck, and our 17-year-old son, who was working security for the event, embraced him with a bear hug. My hubby was now an official man of iron.

The course proved to be as intimidating as advertised. "Every stage was harder than I thought it was going to be." But somehow he successfully completed this race which provides the very definition of "survival of the fittest."

Over 20,000 triathletes vied to participate in the Hawaii Ironman this year. Most competitors qualified by placing in one of the 23 Ironman races held throughout the world as a run-up. A lucky 150 gained entrance via a lottery that gives amateur athletes an opportunity to participate with the pros. Wid won one of the lottery slots, then had to complete a half-ironman race to validate his entry.

Kent Laird, a ...