One Forty.Six

This book is a unique and inspiring collection of stories told in the athletes' own words, chronicling their experiences of training for, and racing in, an IRONMAN® distance 140.6 event. Through the pages of this book, you will journey with the triathletes as they share the challenges, support, friendships, hardships, and obstacles that they encountered along the way. You will learn about the reasons why they decided to take on this demanding and rewarding event, and you will discover the ways in which they have built a sense of community and connection with their fellow triathletes.

This book is a unique and inspiring collection of stories told in the athletes' own words, chronicling their experiences of training for, and racing in, an IRONMAN® distance 140.6 event. I've observed and listened to hundreds of stories, and testimonials, about athletes training and racing. The stories capture the excitement, trepidation, and challenges of training and racing. Stories of overcoming training and racing obstacles. Stories concerning the balancing of spouse, family, and friends support and resistance. Training schedules that bump up against all of life- home, family, spouse, work, hobbies, friends, etc. Through the pages of this book, you will journey with the triathletes as they share the challenges, support, friendships, hardships, and obstacles that they encountered along the way. You will learn about the reasons why they decided to take on this demanding and rewarding event, and you will discover the ways in which they have built a sense of community and connection with their fellow triathletes. All of the athletes have in common participating somewhere in one of the toughest one-day events on Earth. The IRONMAN® distance 140.6-mile Triathlon. These events made popular by the first 140.6 Ironman Triathlon on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii in 1978. The event, now replicated throughout the world includes 2.4 miles of swimming followed by 112 miles of cycling and 26.2 miles of running. In between each event, the clock runs continuously and athletes meander from one discipline to the other. All of these athletes also lived in Kankakee County, Illinois while participating in the Ironman. Some remain and some have moved on form the area and racing. Whether you are a seasoned triathlete or are just starting out on your own journey, you will find inspiration and encouragement in the stories of these Kankakee County IRONMAN® triathletes. Their experiences offer a glimpse into the challenges and rewards of training and racing in an IRONMAN® distance 140.6 event, and provide valuable lessons about the power of hard work, determination, and perseverance.

Craig Culver, former NCAA collegiate swimmer and high school swimming coach. Certified United States Masters Swimming coach, American Swimming Coaches Association Swim Coach, United States of America Track and Field member and coach. An Ultra-Marathoner, 9-time United States Triathlon National Championship qualifier, 5-time Ironman 140.6 Finisher including Hawaii IRONMAN® World Championship Finisher including a recent 11:08 finish at age 61. Craig has a Master of Science Degree in Education and has been an instructor and coached athletes since 1975. Craig participated in his first triathlon at the San Diego, Torrey Pines State Park United States Triathlon Series (USTS), first in a series of Triathlons in 1982 and got hooked on the sport. Craig and his wife, Teresa, reside in Bourbonnais, Kankakee County, Illinois.