Ironman Triathlon vs CFA

So, on your resume you would have:
“completion of CFA program, June of 2011”
“1st place in Ironman Triathlon June of 2011”
This might help in getting a position with that kind of drive.
 
I ran a marathon while training for the CFA. I could do an ironman while doing level 3 I think as well. But I doubt I could be very competitive in both - even with my relaxed view of my day job.
 
I took up running marathons to do something with my free time after completing the CFA testing. I know trainiing for and running marathons is not comparable to ironman triathalons but comparing marathon training to CFA studying, I’d have to say the marathon training and running is more difficult. The marathon training saps a lot of my energy. I end up running about 45 miles a week on average for the 18 weeks leading up to a marathon with my long training run on Sundays.
NYC on November 7th is my next race.
 
I personally would find the ironman triathlon more difficult, but I know plenty of people who would find the CFA process more difficult to complete.
 
I finished Ironman twice and some other races (marathons and longer). I’ll try to clear level next year. I guess, training for a long distance sports event and studying for CFA and do a 60+ hours a week job is not possible as long as you don’t wan’t to lower you standards in any way.
My sport achievments are part of my CV and in all my interviews so far we spent a considerable amount of time discussing them. So I guess that they are of some importance to employers. CFA wasn’t that much of a topic yet, but I didn’t do any interviews recently.
Concerning the thoughness of an Ironman: After having spent 2+ years of training, the toughest thing that can happen is to not finish. Racing on the other hand is easy…
 
Here’s my problems with doing the Triathalon now.
1) As I said before, just finish what you’ve started (CFA) since you’re near the end and get that crap behind you once and for all.
2) This way, if you get hooked on the Triathalon / endurence sports trek after the first year, you won’t have to then pause your workouts for a year and lose all your progress while you finish the CFA at some point. I’m big on focusing on one area then committing to it for however long it takes. Since I’ve finished the CFA program, I started marathoning a lot this summer / fall and will be moving to ultra marathons in October (two 50 miler’s that month), then maybe 100’s based on how October goes. I would hate to get into the swing of things then have to scale back to finish the CFA. Just get it done, then move on with your whole life ahead of you.
3) Lastly, and most importantly to me, personally, I don’t think you should approach these sorts of man challenges as resume builders or some sort of checklist. That’s just me. It’s kind of a lifestyle thing, and I tend to be a purist. But if the resume’s a big issue, then I’d say finish the CFA then work on the triathalon next year when you can commit fully instead of putting yourself on some sort of resume driven schedule.
 
Also, I can say confidently that I found the CFA process as a whole (all 3 levels) far more difficult than marathoning. People say you can be a fat slob and pass the CFA, this is true, but you can be a dumbass and finish an endurance event as well. In fact, I found the process of letting my physical health go to study long sessions an additional frustrating factor to the CFA.
 
I know what you mean. I ate a ton before the level 2 exam. I can’t study well on an empty stomach. I also think I’m dumber without carbs.
 
I know what you mean. I ate a ton before the level 2 exam. I can’t study well on an empty stomach. I also think I’m dumber without carbs.
 
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