Too much Iron never enough for local triathletes

Dan Beaver wanted today's Ford Ironman Arizona triathlon to be his fourth race of the year. Marc Rubin and Billy Dean Johnson had today scheduled as their third events. They are a few of the many local triathletes who can't get enough of the 140.6-mile race.

Ironman Arizona takes over Tempe Sunday

"I think there are two types of Ironman athletes," said Johnson, a 52-year-old Scottsdale resident. "There are those who do one, finish it and that's great. That's all they wanted to do, which is a wonderful accomplishment.

"But then there are those who can't get enough," he added. "We keep coming back for more. It just gets stuck in your blood."

Today's race - which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run - will be the second of the year staged in Tempe, Scottsdale and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The first race was April 15, but because of ever-increasing temperatures and windy conditions, the event has been moved to November and will remain scheduled for the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Beaver competed in the April race, and also completed Ironman Cour d'Alene in Idaho in June. He had hoped to compete in four Ironman races by qualifying for the world championship in Hawaii at the April event, but missed by 11 seconds.

"I started as a marathon runner and tried a triathlon about five years ago," said Beaver, a 40-year-old Gilbert resident who manages Run AZ shoe store. "It does get addicting for some people. My goal is to qualify for Hawaii. That is always goal number one."

Rubin was scheduled to compete in April, but a bike accident a few weeks prior to the race left him injured and unable to race. He is also hoping to punch a ticket to Hawaii for next year's world championship.

"Getting to Hawaii is definitely my focus," Rubin said. "But also to have a late-season race right here, and be able to celebrate your fitness with thousands of other people is very special too."

Like many others who will race in and around Tempe Town Lake today, Bill Egan began doing Ironman races to prove to himself he could. The former amateur bike racer watched the first race in 2005, about a year after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

"I saw these crazy triathletes go by for over an hour into a pretty stiff head wind," said Egan, a 48-year-old registered nurse from Chandler who will compete in his second local race today. "I thought, 'Man, I need to do this in my lifetime.' I am doing very well and plan on doing Ironman for many years. Us Irish are hard to kill."

The professional athletes understand that addictive behavior very well.

Chris McDonald will be racing in his sixth Ironman event this season. This past August, he finished second at Ironman Louisville and the next weekend he won Ironman Wisconsin for his second overall Ironman title.

"For me, I have to race a lot," the 30-year-old Australian said. "If I don't race, I don't train as hard. For me, this whole sport is about racing and having fun. Of course, some days are more fun than others."

Leanda Cave, a 30-year-old pro from Great Britain, is excited about the chance to make her mark on the Ironman circuit. She placed third at the 2007 half-Ironman world championship and won the 70.3 race in Florida earlier this year. She will be racing for the second time at the full distance today.

"There is something addictive about this distance," said Cave, who moved to Tucson last weekend. "It's a challenge and it makes you want to come back for more. After my first one I have never been in so much pain. But I'm back again. This race makes you want to do it again and again. Doesn't make sense, does it?"

For veteran professional triathlete Chris Lieto, the reason to keep competing is easy: to win.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to win," said Lieto, a three-time champion. "Every race is the same. Give it all you've got. This race is about pushing yourself. You want to see what you can give and what you can take."

Ford Ironman Arizona

What: Ironman triathlon consists of 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, 26.2-mile run

When: Today; professionals begin at 6:50 a.m., amateurs at 7 a.m.

Where: Event begins and ends at Tempe Beach Park, bike ride also includes large portion of Beeline Highway.

Who: About 50 professionals vying for $75,000 purse; 2,000-plus amateurs for qualifying spots to 2009 world championship race in Kona, Hawaii

Who to watch

Men

Jozsef Major, Hungary - Won the Ironman Arizona race in April in dramatic fashion, passing race leaders inside the final five miles of the run. He owns two of the top three run splits on the Tempe course, posting a 2:50 in April.

Chris McDonald, Australia - Two-time Ironman champ, won Ironman Wisconsin in September. Believes with right conditions, Michael Lovato's course record of 8:20.56 can be broken today.

Bryan Rhodes, New Zealand - A four-time Ironman champ, won Ironman Canada this year.

Chris Lieto, United States - Competing in Arizona for first time after disappointing day in Hawaii in October. A two-time champ who is a threat at any race.

Francisco Pontano, Spain - Won Ironman Lake Placid earlier this year and has finished in top 10 at world championships.

Women

Joanna Zeiger, United States - A two-time Ironman champ who most recently won the 70.3 world championships in record time.

Leanna Cave, Great Britain - A 70.3 specialist, finished third at that distance's world championship in 2007 and won the half-Ironman title in Florida this season.

Tyler Stewart, United States - Placed third at Ironman Lake Placid in '07 and was third at Ironman Florida with a bike course record.