Months of preparation and dedication to fitness and health come before any serious race, whether it be a half-marathon, marathon, triathlon or Ironman competition. Before lining up at the start, athletes will wonder how they'll place. Will they beat their previous best time? For some elite athletes, the question is "Will I win?" Odds are, there aren't too many competitors who lace up their running shoes while thinking they're going to drop out of the race.

But not everyone who starts finishes. In the New York Marathon, for example, about 2 percent of runners take a DNF (Did Not Finish) each year. A non-runner might assume that fitness level is the major reason for taking a DNF, but seasoned competitors know differently. There are many reasons competitors might take a DNF -- out of necessity and sometimes by choice.

"You definitely try to avoid taking a DNF," said Rhonda Armstrong, who has completed four Ironman competitions as well as multiple marathons. But she knows first hand that there are times that it can't be avoided. "Sometimes you can train and train and train, but your nutrition is off," said Armstrong. She recalls one Ironman competition where after completing her swim, she kept getting ill during the bike ride. She knew something was wrong and opted not to run the final marathon. Armstrong also stated that sometimes people in the medical tent won't let athletes continue if their health is at risk.

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Do you have a fitness role model? Maybe a professional athlete that you look up to? I know I have a fitness role model, but it isn't anyone famous. My fitness role model is one of my best friends. She's a dedicated athlete who, for many years now, has participated in at least one Ironman competition a year.

I'll never forget the time I asked her how her trip to Florida was and after commenting on the weather and things her family did she casually said "Oh, and I placed well." I asked what she meant and she told me that she had run a marathon. I congratulated her and expressed my surprise because I hadn't known she was going to run a marathon while there. She nonchalantly said "It was only a marathon." Oh, to be so fit that a marathon is a non-event ... mere training for the real competition.

Elastic Waist posted about finding inspiration in these iron athletes. [via FitSugar] The author summed up the allure of the Ironman well: "It's about making a promise to yourself and then making it happen. It's about being, for one minute, something more than you are during your every day."

Who is your fitness role model?

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Dick Hoyt, 67, and his son Rick, 46, have accomplished more than many of us could imagine. They've climbed mountains, completed 224 triathlons (including six Ironmans), 66 marathons, a 45-day cross-country bike ride, and more. Obviously, that's inspiring in and of itself.

What makes it AMAZING is that Rick is a quadriplegic and cannot walk or talk -- he was born with cerebral palsy, which kept him from ever being able to control his muscles and limbs, including his vocal chords.

Dick started participating in races and endurance events with his son when Rick was just 11, and the duo hasn't taken more than two weeks off since. Dick continues to train and compete because Rick gets so much joy out of it, and it makes him happy to see his son happy.

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As fabulous as we at That's Fit think this blog is, the truth is there are hundreds of wonderful blogs on healthy living to be seen all over the blogosphere. So in this feature, Fit Links, we'll introduce you to some that have caught our eye.

I used to work with a woman who did Ironman competitions. Though I had a healthy dose of respect for her, I'll admit I thought she was a little bit nuts. I mean, isn't one big race enough for one day? I couldn't help but notice, however, how her excitement and anticipation would grow as training ramped up and race day neared.

I always thought I'd like to try a mini-triathlon, you know the one that endurance racers do in their sleep? Maybe once I master running, I'll work on my swimming skills and we'll see what happens. Until then, I'll get my fill by reading blogs by people training for their own triathlons:

Because I Tri

Veg Triathlete

Diary of an Amateur Triathlete

Blood, Sweat, and Beer

If you're an amateur triathlete, I hope you can find some inspiration here!

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These days, it seems like more and more people are giving up their spots on the sidelines to compete in endurance races like marathons and triathlons -- especially women. I've never done either myself, but several of my female friends have joined the triathlon bandwagon, giving up late nights, unhealthy eating, drinking and leisurely weekend mornings to train endlessly and get their bodies in shape. I must admit, I'm intrigued, as I usually am by a challenge.

Triathlon is a great way to achieve all-over body fitness because it combines running, cycling and swimming. Distances vary between events, but the most prominent competitions are the Olympics, which requires participants to swim nearly a mile (4921 feet), bike 24.9 miles and run 6.2 miles; and the Ironman, which requires participants to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a full marathon, 26.2 miles -- wow!

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