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Training for an Ironman while stationed in Iraq
Imagine training for an Ironman triathlon. Now imagine training for an Ironman triathlon while stationed at Camp Fallujah in Iraq.
Not much off time, and, well, there’s the heat. And dust.
My friend Lynne Smith, who swam the English Channel last year, sent me a picture of her friend Major Bill Conner, who is training for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii this October.
Sometimes I complain about the difficulties of squeezing in a workout, but I’ve got it easy. Conner, 34, works seven days a week, for 15 or more hours a day.
“I really do not have a daily routine as each day is different, except that I usually end up going to bed very late,” he wrote in an email. “I just have to be very flexible with my workouts.”
Conner, who is from Tulsa, Okla., where he was a high school track and cross country athlete, is a frequent visitor to Austin. He’s been doing triathlons since 1996, and has two Ironmans under his belt — Coeur d’Alene in 2003 and Arizona in 2005.
As you might have guessed, Camp Fallujah has no pool, so he can’t swim. Instead, he’s focusing on the bike portion of the race. A fellow Marine gave Conner his indoor trainer when he left Camp Fallujah, which has helped. On Saturday nights, Conner tries to ride six or more hours on the trainer, while watching a video of the Ironman course.
“I turn off the air conditioning in the room to help simulate the conditions that I will be facing in Hawaii, and it usually gets up to 90-plus degrees and very humid. Now I only wish I could find a way to simulate the 40 mph winds,” he writes.
He also bought an inexpensive mountain bike from the exchange on the base and has been riding it as often as possible around the camp’s perimeter. Once a week, he also runs the perimeter by flashlight.
“Everything else I try and fit it in when I can break away for an hour or two,” he writes. “Some days I am not able to break away, so I do not get my workout in — but my job comes first.”
Conner is scheduled to return to the United States in September. He plans to jump right into the pool, since he’s had almost zero pool time while in Iraq.
“I have gotten to swim in one of Saddam’s pool at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and another base, but there is not a pool on Camp Fallujah, so I definitely will not be breaking any records in the water,” he writes.
He also plans to get a new bike. He’s still using the one he bought when he first started doing triathlons 12 years ago.
Conner will dedicate his Ironman to three friends killed while serving their country — LCDR Erik Kristenson, who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan; Major Megan McClung, killed in an explosion in Ramadi; and Major Doug Zembiec, also killed during his deployment.
“Specifically, I plan to dedicate the swim to Major Zembiec, who was one of the best amphibious reconnaissance Marines who has served in the Corps,” he writes. “I would dedicate the bike segment to LCDR Erik Kristenson, who I rowed on the varsity heavyweight rowing team with four years. Lastly, I would run the marathon portion for Major Megan McClung, who was an avid runner and triathlete herself. She actually competed in the Hawaii Ironman in 2000 and 2001 and was the fastest female military triathlete that year.”
“There also has been a lot of sacrificing over here,” Conner writes. “Whether it is a Marine who is away from his new wife or girlfriend or not being able to see the birth of their child or attend the funeral of a relative. Some, like Erik, Doug and Megan, have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country and will never be forgotten.”
The attached photo was taken on the three-year anniversary of Kristenson’s death in Afghanistan. Conner did a special 6-hour ride that day — 2 hours outside and 4 on the indoor trainer because of a sandstorm.
Scholarship funds have been created for all three friends:
- Erik Kristensen Memorial Scholarship Gonzaga College High School 19 Eye St. NW Washington, DC 20001
- Doug Zembiec Memorial Wrestling Club 1127 Meadowalk, San Antonio, TX 78253
- Major McClung Memorial Scholarship Women Marines Association P.O. Box 8405 Falls Church, VA 22041
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment Categories: Triathlon
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By Kate
July 22, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Very inspiring. Thank you for posting.
By Megan's Dad
July 23, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
Re and I send our best wishes for a successful race in Kona. We know it is hard training for the Tri and having to do it in Battle Rattle would seem to be impossible.
We will be watching and cheering you on every stroke, rotation and step of the way.
Bravo Zulu, Bill
Semper Fi, Mike and Re
By Lynne
July 25, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this
You continue to inspire and amaze me, Bill. And I bet you will be the only person who is chilled on the Queen K. Looking forward to watching you run down Ali’i drive.
Lynne
By Ross "Oak" Metcalfe
July 28, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
I’ve know Bill since High School when we played Basketball together and I have no doubt that he will do himself, the Marine Corps, and his fallen comrades proud when he competes in Hawaii. Since I moved from Tulsa to Montana, Bill is the only High School friend to visit me, twice. Even though one of the trips was actually just a sidebar from the trip to Coeur D’Lene for the Triathalon, he still made the effort. I’m proud to have him as a friend.
Ross “Oak” Metcalfe East Helena, MT
By Lee and Glenna Bingham
October 18, 2008 6:39 AM | Link to this
It was a true pleasure to be with you in Kona and be able to share in your joy of achieving your personal goal. You had shared this dream with us when we met you at the USNA thru our son, Jonathan, who was on the crew team with you. And we promised we would be there for you when the time came for you to compete. What a thrill! The families of the 3 fallen classmates to whom you dedicated each leg of the race must be so proud of your dedication. See you soon! Our love, Lee and Glenna Bingham