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Austin athletes gear up for Ironman championship
A few of Austin’s best athletes are headed to Hawaii for the all-day sufferfest known as the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona.
Paul Terranova, Todd Sazenski, Meghan Browne, Sierra Snyder, Joe Thorne, Shellie Oroshiba and Jason McMillian will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and 26.2 miles on Saturday.
Exhausting!
Each one has his or her own reasons for tackling the course, known for its intense heat and brutal winds.
Sazenski, 40, had heart surgery to correct a rapid heart rate after competing in Ironman Lake Placid in 2006. Five weeks and six days later, he competed in the Ford Ironman Wisconsin.
“I have never found a single event or accomplishment that better defines one’s character and perseverance than Ironman,” he wrote in his race application. “To get the opportunity to compete with the world’s best is an amazing honor.”
Browne, 24, a former University of Arizona swimmer, has had a good year so far, finishing first at a half Ironman in California. She missed last year’s championship because it fell just two weeks before her wedding.
“I always thought I’d do the big race in Hawaii after growing up watching Paul and Paula compete,” she wrote in her application. “Last year the timing just wasn’t right, but this year I’m excited to realize the dream!”
Snyder, 32, another collegiate swimmer, is a physician and an advisor to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She qualified for Hawaii through the St. Croix 70.3.
Oroshiba, 39, signed up looking for “the ultimate opportunity to lay it all on the line.” She’s a single mom working three jobs (including pedicabber!), and finding time to train has been a struggle.
Best of luck to the Austin contingent! Post your well wishes here.
(The photo above, provided by the Ironman folks, shows Terranova.)
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Comments
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By Chris G.
October 8, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
Good luck everyone, have a great race and may the wind be at your back the whole day.
By Mike W
October 8, 2009 5:26 PM | Link to this
Good luck, everyone! And Paul, Cheetos are on on me when you get back!!!
By Mike W
October 8, 2009 5:31 PM | Link to this
Good luck everyone! Paul, the Cheetos are on me when you get back!
By Mom T
October 9, 2009 8:51 PM | Link to this
Paul, your achievements astound us as always! You will forever be an Ironman in our family :)