Mike and Nannette at Kona last year

As Nannette and I start our 4,500 mile journey back to Kona, Hawaii, I have been reflecting back on what a special year this has been for me at the races.  Two national team championships, age group wins at the Peachtree 10k and the New York Ironman, an age group Georgia State record in the marathon, and a second place finish in the Ironman World Championships.  And this is the kid that use to play right field (a position usually assigned to the worst player on the team.)  What happened?

I believe I can attribute my later in life athletic accomplishments to two things.  The first is I hardly ever train alone.

Tri-Geeks Hawaiian Send-off

I would rather train with my friends than follow a ridged schedule and train by myself.  I train more hours, at a more consistent pace with someone than when I am going solo.   It is the difference between 25 hours per week of fun or 25 hours per week of work.  So instead of having a coach, I have over 100 training buddies who give me a compelling reason to get out of bed at 5:00 AM most days.  They all bring joy to every one of my workouts.  And in case anyone is having trouble understanding how a workout can be fun, here is a picture from the send-off I received on Wednesday from my beloved TriGeeks at Lake Altoona after a run, bike and swim.

Mike coming out of the Atlantic

Mike coming out of the Pacifc

The second reason for my success can best be explained by studying the two pictures of me coming out of the water.  The picture on the left was taken of me coming out of the Atlantic Ocean in a skimpy bathing suit.  I ended up in 79^th place in my age group.  The picture on the right was taken of me coming out of the Pacific Ocean in a tri-suit.   I was second in my age group.

The reason for my improvement between these two pictures?   In the one on the left, I was competing against 30 year olds.  In the one on the right, I was competing against 60 year olds.  The pictures were taken 28 years apart.  Simply stated – I did not get old and my competitors did!  I was very lucky to have inherited some great genes.

Mim Wien 1946

So this year, I have decided to dedicate my race to the person most responsible for those great genes, my mother, Mim Wien.

Mim still snow skied in her mid 70s and played golf and pulled her own bag 18 holes at 80.   Julie Salzman, my niece and Mim’s granddaughter recently wrote: “Grandma Mim is a championship golfer.  She wore blue jeans and played the guitar in college.  She’s social, outgoing, witty, and constantly smiling.  Some even go so far as to call her a “Saint,” for putting up with Grandpa Bob for 65 years.  Mim lives with Alzheimer’s and it is a constant part of our family’s life.  Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects 5.4 million people and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050.”  Julie wrote this on her Walk for Alzheimer’s fund raising page.  She is walking to honor her grandmother and raise money on October 13^th, the same day as my Ironman.

Many of you have asked me if I was tying my race to a fund raising activity this year like I did last year and that gave me the idea.

I could honor my mother, help find a cure for Alzheimer’s and encourage and mentor my niece just by asking my friends who are following me this week to go to Julie’s fundraising site and support her efforts.  Please join me and my family in supporting this important cause.  Here is a link to Julie’s fundraising page – Team Sumpy (Bob’s nickname for Mim.)  {Click Here for Julie’s Link}

As in previous years, I will be writing new posts during the week to keep everyone updated on what is happening in Kona as 1,850 fruitcakes arrive for the Ironman World Championship.  I welcome your comments and if you know of anyone who might enjoy reading these narratives, please forward the link to them.