It's a very slow process - two steps forward, one step back - but I'm inching in the right direction. - Rob Reiner

June 28, 2011

Ironman Amazement!!!!!

OK, I have to share this with you because I am seriously impressed.  I have a co-worker at work who is an excellent triathlete.  I’m not going to provide his name because I haven’t asked him if I can share this information, so I’ll just give you some details.   He often comes in 1st or 2nd in his age group, so he’s obviously pretty good.  But on Sunday, he tested out the waters (literally) and completed his first Ironman in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.   


Ironman Distance:   Swim – 2.2 Miles; Bike – 112 Miles; Run – 26.2 Miles

How did he do?

Finish Time:  9 hours, 42 minutes, 19 seconds!!!  Let me just tell you that’s fast.

Place – 35th overall out of  2187 participants and yes that includes the Pro Triathletes.  15 Pros finished ahead of him, so in the “Age Groupers” he finished 20th overall.  He finished 5th in his Age Group.  His marathon time was 3:05…….after that run and bike.  Super speedy!!

He also qualified for Kona!!  This is an impressive accomplishment.  Kona is like the Boston Marathon of Triathlons, except even harder to qualify.

I don’t know him very well, he works in my Division, but not my Department, but he is obviously an amazing athlete.  We have talked about triathlon stuff before, but I always laugh about how he finishes in the top 5 and I finish in the bottom 5.  If I wouldn’t feel like too much of a dork I might ask him if I could “interview” him for my blog.  I think it would be fascinating to hear about his experience, his training, etc.  Would anyone be interested in that before I make a fool of myself?  He’s a super humble guy and may not be interested, but I could ask.

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On another note…..thanks for all the positive comments on my blog about my weight loss.  It’s seriously great to have you guys behind me.  I know some were a little concerned with training and losing weight at the same time, but I will be careful and listen to my body.  I want a moderate weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week….nothing drastic.  I will seriously watch what I do.


25 comments:

  1. Wow!!! Super athlete indeed! Qualifying for Kona at his first Ironman, amazing.

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  2. I am interested in his race report, that is freaking fast!!! I will never qualify for Kona, I know I am not fast enough, but learning tips and tricks from fast people is always an interest to me

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  3. That is so awesome for your co-worker! I hope he has a great time in Kona!

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  4. I'd be interested! I have a friend who also competed in that IM! He was just over 10 hours and I haven't officially heard but I don't think he qualified for Kona, which was his goal. Such a bummer for him but I head it was a crazy hard course.

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  5. Asking him for an interview is a nice gesture!

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  6. That is simply amazing! Isn't it weird how these super athletes are all around us and they all seem to be so humble. I found out a guy that I work with runs a 2:25 marathon the other day and I had no idea. So crazy!

    I would love the interview. go for it!

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  7. 9 hours!!!! HOLY COW!!!!!!!!

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  8. wow, thats amazing!!! i love to hear about "real people's" training and race experiences!

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  9. For sure try to interview him, that would be great to hear! I'm assuming that he has ran marathons before, but if not that would be awesome if his first marathon was a part of the ironman - and he qualified for Boston as well, haha

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  10. Wow - that is incredible? I think we all could learn a few things from this superhuman! :)

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  11. Amazing job for his first Ironman! I am so inspired by these kinds of athletes.

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  12. Count me in! I'd *love* to read an interview with him! And his first IM too! Double wow! What an athlete! He'll be competing with my brother-in-law who will be in Kona for the third year in in a row this year! I am totally standing in awe!

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  13. Yes! Ask him! That way you can be like "I know that guy, we're friends."

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  14. Yes, ask him! I'm sure he'd love to be interviewed, and we'd all learn a lot from his experience.

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  15. That is so fast! A three hour marathon AFTER spending the beginning on the day swimming and cycling!!

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  16. I'd love to hear his story!

    Even if he's humble, he might still be honoured to do an interview, I'd at least ask!

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  17. that's amazing! I hear you about losing weight and training at the same time:) good luck! Are you doing Molly's weight loss challenge?

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  18. What?! There is someone in KC studlier than Jim? Say it aint so. 3:05 Marathon after the swim and ride is hard for my brain to comprehend. How cool that you get to pick his brain.

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  19. Awesome!!!! Totally love to hear about his experience!

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  20. WOW!!! Would love to read an interview...

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  21. Go for it! Ask him! I bet he'll love it!!

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  22. How awesome for your coworker! I would definitely love to hear about his experience!!

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  23. I love it when bloggers do interviews like this, I'm taking on my first sprint tri in four weeks, so I need all the inspiration I can get!

    And yes, I'm on the second round of weight loss support group type thing. I post my results on "weigh in wednesdays" it's totally informal, but it's a nice way to stay accountable when you're doing it with others. I also post a weight loss factoid, and ask a question of the week. If you want to look at some of my older wednesday posts, we started back in May. : )

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