DS: How did your journey to Ironman start?

AAI: I'm a graduate of Faujdarhat Cadet College and there we had a motto which was to become all-rounders in life. In my time there, naturally we had running, swimming and other activities. I had a passion for swimming and got good at it. You could say that the cadet in me made me get better at running and cycling.

I got to know about Ironman in 2015 through Facebook and saw even 50-year-olds competing the gruelling courses which inspired me to take the challenge. Since then, I started to prepare myself mentally for the Ironman challenge. I ran marathons, crossed the Bangla Channel and then finally participated in my first race which was the Ironman Malaysia in November 2018.

I got to know about Ironman in 2015 through Facebook and saw even 50-year-olds competing the gruelling courses which inspired me to take the challenge. Since then, I started to prepare myself mentally for the Ironman challenge.

DS: For someone with an IT job since 2006, how did you manage training time for such a competitive sport?

AAI: It is difficult to manage time, to be honest. I wake up around 5:30 in the morning and then train till 8 am before being at the office by 10. During my preparations for a competition, I had to train in the afternoon as well.

DS: Your focus is naturally on the Oceanman World Championships but are you thinking about participating in another Ironman?

AAI: At this moment, I am preparing mentally for the Oceanman World Championships next year. I'm swimming regularly and yes, running and cycling have been side-lined for now. But I have to keep in mind about that as well because I want to compete in future Ironman events too.