What better way is there to welcome summer (and celebrate the end of those long Basin winters!) than to swim, bike, or run? Better yet, do all three! Do them in succession, and you can call yourself a triathlete.
Instructions for participants in the first *Ironman Triathlon, held in Hawaii in 1974, included a statement that has since become a motivational motto for aspiring triathletes: "Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life." However, after interviewing 7 of our top Basin triathletes, I discovered that it's not about bragging at all (every single one told me that what place a finisher takes doesn't really matter to anyone and that participants compete only against themselves!); rather, each described a sense of accomplishment that comes with crossing the finish line—especially if the athlete improves upon his or her personal record time.
Before I introduce you to our 7 champions, I need to introduce you to some triathlon terminology. A "full" or "Ironman" Triathlon was explained above. Several of our local triathletes are currently entering half-Ironmans (swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles, and running a half marathon—or 13.1 miles). The Olympic distance is slightly shorter than a half-Ironman and includes a 1.5 km swim, 40 km ride, and 10 km run. The shortest distance (and therefore fastest pace) is the Sprint distance: a 750 m swim, 20 km bike, and a 5 km run.
Each of the 7 triathletes I interviewed trains year round, but those from Roosevelt must travel to Vernal to practice swimming most months of the year. Another trait they all share is commitment to their families, so you'll typically find them training very early in the morning (as early as 4 a.m.) and/or very late in the evening.
Dr. Greg Staker, Roosevelt
Dr. Staker entered the UBIC triathlon five years ago. He laughs about that first triathlon now because at that time he only knew how to swim with his head above water. But being the determined, intelligent man that he is, he bought a book about swimming and began following its recommended training program A short time later, Greg finished in the top 15 overall at the Jordanelle Triathlon in the Olympic distance. Now he enters half-Ironmans, and he is registered for a full Ironman that will take place in St. George next May.
Dr. Staker states that he enjoys the lifestyle of a triathlete; with the variety in the training regimen, he is able to stay fit while minimizing the chance of injury. He also recognizes that it's something he can do with his family; his oldest daughter, Abby, gets up at 4:30 a.m. and rides with him to Vernal for swim training 9 months of the year. Chances are, if you live in Roosevelt, you've seen the Staker family, including the family dog, outside running and/or biking together.
Greg and his wife, Shannon (who is also a Pediatrician), founded the UBIC kids' triathlon and have kept it going for the past 3 years.
Brett Rasmussen, Neola
Perhaps one of the Basin's most experienced triathletes, Brett has been competing since 1994. He explained that he has always loved to exercise, and when he began entering triathlons, he was "looking for a challenge."
Brett arises between 4 and 4:30 a.m. to run 6-8 miles, 4 days a week. He bikes to and from work (he owns Country Cabinet in Roosevelt), which is about 15 miles each way. He also works out during his lunch break several times each week. During the cold months, he tries to schedule business appointments in Vernal around the lap swim at the Uintah Rec center so that he doesn't have to make any extra trips that would take away from his family time. In the summer, he swims in his dad's large irrigation pond.
Brett placed 1st in his age division and 8th overall at the DinoLand Triathlon in June. One of his strategies for success is to take every opportunity to train: a few weeks ago, he needed to leave a vehicle in Vernal, so he loaded up his bike, dropped off the vehicle, and biked to work in Roosevelt. Brett and his wife, Jenell, run together in the evenings while their 4 children tag along on their bicycles.
Brett cycles with the Roosevelt triathletes and, like the others, he is signed up for a full Ironman in May of 2011.
Gary Child, Roosevelt
Gary entered his first triathlon in 2006. He had been running for several years, but he worried that exercising in the same way for so long would eventually result in injury, so he began cross-training. He quickly discovered that, even more than the diversified training, he enjoys the friendships he makes and the commitment he shares with the other athletes.
Gary stated that his most rewarding moment as a triathlete was when he finished Lotoja (a 206-mile bike race from Logan, Utah, to Jackson, Wyoming) for the first time.
Gary follows a strict diet (50% whole grains or vegetables, 20% lean protein, and 30% other healthful foods), declaring that--even with 10 or more exercise sessions each week—he gains weight when he doesn't eat healthfully.
Dr. Michael Catten, Roosevelt
Although Dr. Catten has only been competing in triathlons for 4 years, he cycled and ran previous to that, so "the transition was natural." He had also been a competitive soccer player in the past, but the risk of injury in that sport was greater than he wanted to take.
"I never intended to become a triathlete," Dr. Catten stated. "I started training with friends, and I guess it was just one of their 'bad habits' that I picked up," he said, jokingly.
Dr. Catten likes the less competitive and more supportive attitude associated with triathlons compared to other sports. "When I played soccer, there were always winners and losers. With triathlons, the sense of accomplishment when one finishes a race is more satisfying than 'winning' a game. We all support each other."
Dr. Catten stated that his ultimate triathlon-related goal is to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. He, too, will be entering his first full Ironman next spring in St. George.
Don DeCamp, Vernal
The other Basin triathletes consider Don to be the local triathlon guru. After all, he's 55 years old, and he's finished the Ironman at Kona, Hawaii, twice! Don has been competing for "25 years, give or take". Moreover, Don has that supportive, caring attitude characteristic of Basin triathletes, so it's easy for others to go to him for advice.
Don enters "2-10" triathlons each summer, and most of those are half-Ironman. "They're more comfortable than the full Ironmans," he stated.
With their 7 children raised and on their own, Don and his wife, Rayann, enjoy planning their travels around Don's triathlons. "We've decided we'd like to see Europe, so I'm hoping to compete in the Ironman European Championships in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2012. We think that would be fun!" Rayann is always with Don, camera in hand, to cheer him on.
Because others already go to him for advice, I decided to ask Don what recommendations he has for aspiring triathletes in general, and this is what he said: "Read all the triathlon magazines you can get your hands on. There are several, and they all have good advice. But, more importantly, keep your priorities in order. Triathlons are great, but family life is more important."
Mark and Lynise Mason, Vernal
Mark entered his first triathlon in 2004. He stated, "I'd been working for several years at an office job [as a loan officer], and I weighed about 250 pounds. I went to my doctor, and he said I was a 'heart attack waiting to happen.' So, I started training and lost 50 pounds. I've been training ever since."
Mark's wife, Lynise, waited for him at the finish line for two years before she resolved to never be a spectator again. She entered her first triathlon when Mark asked her complete the running portion of a team-relay triathlon. "That was 4 weeks after I had my 4th baby!" Lynise stated. "But I loved the race atmosphere, and I haven't looked back since."
Mark and Lynise train together early each morning.
Mark finished 1st out of all the Vernal athletes in the DinoLand Triathlon (Olympic distance) two years in a row. He also placed second in the St. George Triathlon (Sprint distance), but, like the other triathletes, he mostly enjoys the satisfaction that comes with crossing the finish line. "Once you've finished, you've accomplished something that no one can take away," he said.
This year, when Mark and Lynise went to the DinoLand Triathlon website to register, they discovered the race had been cancelled. They contacted a former organizer, gathered the equipment and information they needed, and, with the help of a few friends, organized the 2010 DinoLand Triathlon. They also put together the first ever Vernal kids' triathlon. "We want kids, especially our kids, to know that exercise doesn't have to be grueling. It can be fun!" Lynise stated. Sixty-five children participated, including the Masons' children—all the way down to their 5 year old!
"Training for triathlons has changed our lives for the better," Lynise said. "It has improved our lives in ways I wouldn't have even imagined. I tell my friends that, and I've convinced several of them to train, too."
* "Ironman" is a registered name for a full, or Ultra Distance, triathlon and is recognized internationally.
