Ironman athletes are like you, yes, you.
Sure, there are plenty of sleek bodies at Ironman events. But forget the hard-body hype.
The inspiring reality is that Ironman athletes come in all ages, sizes and shapes.
I’m with a group of Ironman athletes who have just run up – and some mostly walked up – more that 4,000 feet on Saddleback Mountain.
Within minutes, a few will press on to the summit of Modjeska Peak, 5,491 feet above sea level. And then they will run – and walk – back down.
The trick to Ironman is like everything. You have to pace yourself – and know your limits.
Remember that some mostly walked up Saddleback? Some also made the wise decision to turn around before the summit.
I asked a very cool group that calls itself U.N. on Parade to share how they got started and how they keep going.
In the end, I learned more about life than Ironman.
Kelly Wright, Mission Viejo, feline veterinarian
Family: Husband, Gerry, practice manager at our clinic The Cat Clinic of OC; children, Joey and Maggie, both 8, both adopted.
Other family: Five cats, one dog and a rat.
Outdoor stuff: Never athletic until 39 when I started running. Now 42, I’ve completed three marathons, two sprint distance triathlons, two Olympic distance triathlons, two halfs and one full Ironman.
Toughest moment: Getting out of bed at 4 a.m. to complete my training plan for the day, then come home and be a mom.
Compared to balancing my life with a business and family, the races themselves, even the Ironman, were easier.
Triathlon training at its peak can eat up 20 hours a week. Finding those hours can be a tough. It usually involves riding, running or swimming in the cold and dark.
You have to have dedication and desire or you give up and go back to the couch.
Most inspirational moment: On the bike in Cozumel, the crowd really got me going, goose-bumps and all!
I felt like a celebrity, a feeling I can’t quite explain. But it was a very proud moment.
Tip for success: I see a lot of people make New Years resolutions, go hard and then burn out.
I stuck with it because I came gradually into the sport. First, I ran a few races. Then I took swim classes and found a group to ride with. My body adjusted without breaking down.
A small sprint triathlon finish gave me confidence to do a longer one until I reached Ironman.
I also attribute my success to my U.N. friends. They coaxed me into taking the Ironman plunge and then stuck with me every step of the way. The love I feel for them is very strong. These relationships drive every one of us!
Carlos Alcantar, 52, Foothill Ranch, specialty door contractor
Family: Sister, four couch potato brothers who think I’m nuts.
Outdoor stuff: More than 30 sprint- and Olympic-distance triathlons, three half Ironman events, three Ironman events, one 50-mile ultramarathon at 49.
Toughest moment: Hit with dehydration and had to drop out of Ironman Cozumel after full swim and 112 miles. But no regrets, better to be smart.
Most inspirational moment: First full Ironman was Houston, Texas. I threw up at mile 18 on the run but finished an hour before cut off with blisters on both feet. I had to have an IV. Pushing through the breakdowns took a lot. But it was worth it hearing the words, “Carlos Alcantar you are an Ironman!”
Inspiration: Individually and as a group, U.N. on Parade members cheer, scream and celebrate one another’s accomplishments.
Tip for success: Get a good training coach, one that trains with you. And link up with a group that trains regularly. You become like brothers and sisters, encouraging one another when you’re sick, sore and in pain.
Exercising every week with the U.N. members is like being with a close-knit family. It makes keeping healthy fun.
Sandy Reiter, 52, Lake Forest, project accountant, Snyder Langston.
Family: Children, Laurie 27; Kevin, 25; Scott, 16.
Outdoor stuff: Started doing triathlon in 2007 with Team In Training. Then I did Wildflower Olympic and got hooked. Did my first Ironman distance Triathlon at Vineman in August of 2009 (13:48:59).
I swore I would never run a marathon again or do another Ironman. But two months later, I signed up for Ironman Arizona. Cozumel was my fifth Ironman in a little more than two years and 15:27 was my time. I had to walk the last 10 miles. I don’t like running!!
Toughest moment: When I was training for my first Ironman, I was doing an 18-mile run by myself. I wanted to quit. But I kept talking myself into going just one more mile.
When I got done I called my girlfriend in tears. I honestly did not think I could do an Ironman.
During my first Ironman, I was crying before the swim. But a U.N. friend gave me a hug and said, “Trust in your training and in yourself. You have this.”
I was good until the run. That was so hard. Still, I finished in less than 14 hours, which was my goal.
Oh, I also had a major panic attack in the water at Wildflower in 2007. I could not put my face in the water and I was in tears even though I was a swimmer and water polo player in college.
I talked to myself, saying, “Failure is not an option.” I back-stroked until I calmed down.
Most inspirational moment: When I see a challenged or older athletes, I think if they can do it so can I. Also when I see my friends, family or my fellow U.N. friends.
Tip for success: Thank your kids and eat a good dinner. I’m kidding, but I’m also serious. Nutrition is one of the most important lessons to learn. What works for one person may not work for the next.
Most of my friends and family think I’m nuts to continue to do Ironman races. (I haven’t told them I’ve signed up for number six). To their credit, they have a point. We’re all a bit whacked to do these races.
But when you are with a group such as U.N. on Parade, you don’t feel that way. You are surrounded by friends who do the same thing, and we get to forget that what we do is not the norm.
I am very happy to be with a bunch of 40-50-year-old “kids” who just want to enjoy life.
Next week: Meet other U.N. on Parade members.
David Whiting’s completed two Ironman-distance triathlons; dwhiting@ocregister.com.
