The Article That Started It All
If you've never seen it, link to the PDF is just below. The article in the May 14, 1979 issue of "Sports Illustrated" by then golf writer writer Barry McDermott about the second "Iron Man" competition in Hawaii, riveted the attention of those inclined to such things. For every thousand people who read the story in horror over Warren's reckless disregard for the natural limits of his body, there were two or three who breathed a soft "Wow" and started training. As you will read, it is pretty hard to find a middle ground: the event was either downright wonderful or hopelessly insane.