Ironmen

An Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim; 112 mile bike ride; and a marathon -26.2 mile run- all done consecutively- without a break.  The race starts at 7am and is closed by midnight. 

Well the time is almost here- in a few short days (Sunday) Dan and Sean will compete in the Canada Ironman.  We leave for Penticton bright and early tomorrow morning.  Dan, Sean, Lauren, Dyllan and I will be driving up in the truck (so the bikes don't have to suffer outside on a bike rack- they can lay comfortably on their thrones in the back of the enclosed truck bed- haha.  oh boys..) 

They have both been training so hard- and I can't wait to see them put all that hard work to action.  The race is going to be so exciting.  Sean and Dan have been doing plenty of trash talking leading up to the event.. they are both so competitive- but super different in the way they go about things.  Dan is a "rah-rah-rah- train your hardest- take it seriously- get all the gear- tell the world"- type competitor - he enjoys learning the tricks and tips from the pros- practicing with the best- and constantly pushing himself to the next level............where as Sean is more of a closet  trainer- who doesn't tell people what he's done or how far he's gone.. he still enjoys his days off (sometimes multiple days- or even entire weeks) - and parties with the guys- yet, he manages to put in the hard work from time to time (i.e. 20 mile runs - 100 mile bike rides..) Sean took me on one of his training runs the other day- a 6 mile loop around the south end of mercer island- and through pioneer park.  Although I loved the run (and have done it several times now on my own, since- step for step right down to the cool down starting at the drain) - it makes me curious/question whether or not he is actually ready for such a long event.  Lets face it.. 6 miles isn't too long in the scheme of things.  

Sean is a different kind of athlete to Dan though.  Sean has his youth- his history of hard work and dedication to a sport- and his relaxed attitude on his side.  He graduated from USC with a full ride in swimming- made it to the olympic trials in the 50 freestyle- and smashed all kinds of records along the way.  Since he was young (around 8 i would guess) he loved bike riding.  He bought his first "speed" bike (I'm pretty sure it was an old ladies bike) from a garage sale with his own money- geared up in some of mom's flashiest home made spandex bike shorts- with matching jersey and helmet cover, bike gloves- and hit the roads biking.  He trained with mom and dad and competed in the STP - Seattle to Portland Bike ride (200 miles over 2 days) several years in a row- while I would go off to motorbike camp.  Even as a kid- Sean was the first to sign up for the Mercer Island 10k (while mom was off doing the half marathon)- he loved to race.  As he got older- I think swimming became the only focus- just because it was so time consuming.  We both swam year round with Chinook- then later Sean joined the Bellevue Club.  Year round swimming meant around 2 hours a day- and sometimes twice daily- and in the summer- as much as 3+ hours with year round and summer swim leagues.  Lots of swimming...  It wasn't until after Sean graduated from college and moved back to Seattle that Dan talked Sean into getting a bike- so they could start riding together.  They signed up for their first half ironman in June 2009- Vineman in Sonoma - and the rest was history.

Dan however- Dan also grew up swimming- running, and biking.  Dan was a "nipper" on the beach- where he learned surf lifesaving- and how to swim in the ocean.  He swam in swim "carnivals" (meets) growing up- and participated in several kids triathlons.  Dan and his younger brother Brenden were very competitive- pushing each other to their max.  Maybe this is where some of Dan's competitive spirit comes from.  Although- I think its also part of the Aussie culture- there is always some kind of competition going on down at the beach!  Its nuts.   I remember one of the first times I hung out with Dan- we went out for a run- and he started off sprinting!  He left me in his dust- and all I could do was think to myself was "is this guy REALLY trying to show off right now- by racing me?!"  Then later I found out that he is actually THAT fast.  Dan loves exercise.  He always has and he probably always will.  Its built in him- like the need for food and sleep- Dan needs to exercise.  He loves it.  Dan graduated college with a degree in Exercise Science- appropriate!  And started his own personal training business at the local pool/club.  He then traveled the world - and wound up in London- working at a health club- and running in most of his free time.  Dan has been in the health and fitness industry since- and has a love for the business.  It has allowed him to meet all kinds of cool athletes- professionals- and trainers.   Exercise AND competition are two of Dan's favorite things.. so you can only imagine how excited he is for this event.

Ironkid in training?!
At Overlake pool yesterday.. in the rain..

Helping Dad find new shoes at Nordstrom Rack

If the shoe fits...

Haha- we did not get this big old boot off the shelf- or put it on her foot.  She did this all by herself.  She LOVES putting on shoes- and you can imagine what a hay day she had at the Rack!

Carbo Loading!