éndurance

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DIXIE
The Feminine Side of Ironman
WRITTEN BY Kim Konikow

While stationed near San Diego in the mid-1970s, John Collins and wife Judy participated
in multi-sport workouts designed to break up the monotony of constant run training.
During an awards banquet in 1977, Collins began playing with the idea of combining
the three toughest endurance races on the island into one race. He decided to issue
a challenge. He proposed combining the 2.4-mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim with 112
miles of the Around-Oahu Bike Race followed by a 26.2-mile run on the same course as
the Honolulu Marathon. The event was unveiled in late 1977. “The gun will go off about
7 a.m., the clock will keep running and whoever finishes first we’ll call the Ironman,”
Collins recalls.

C
ollins agreed to organize a second event in 1979.
Unfortunately, bad weather postponed the race one day,
and more than half of the race-field dropped out; this left
only 15 to race for the second straight year. Among the remaining
15 athletes was Lyn Lemaire, a cyclist from Boston, Mass. The first
female finisher maintained second place for much of the race before
finishing fifth overall. In 1981, Valerie Silk took over supervision of the
race and moved the Ironman from Waikiki to the Big Island of Hawaii.
A signature moment for women would come the following year.
toward the finish line. But with a little more than 20 yards to go, her
legs gave out and she fell to the ground. She attempted to get up,
but her legs wouldn’t hold her. Rather than give up, she crawled.
Race officials and spectators gathered around her, visibly concerned
for her well being, as well as amazed by her courage. Although
McCartney passed her, Moss won the hearts of those on-hand and
millions who later saw her determined effort on television. ABC’s Jim
McKay, among the most experienced sports broadcasters in history,
called it the most inspiring sports moment he had ever witnessed.

With the men’s championship title already claimed, ABC’s cameras
zeroed in on the women’s leader. A college student from San Diego,
Julie Moss’ lifeguarding background helped her stay among the
early women’s leaders. After a strong bike, she found herself with
a sizeable lead in the run. Her energy levels started to dip in the
last five miles, however, and another San Diego competitor, Kathleen
McCartney, began to cut into Moss’ lead. Moss managed to hang
on, sometimes appearing like a punch-drunk fighter as she moved
Instantly, competing in the Ironman became such a hot ticket that
organizers instituted a qualifying system to keep the race field more
manageable. By any measure, the Ironman is the ultimate test of
body, mind and spirit for professional and amateur athletes. And
as the Ironman Triathlon has emerged into the mainstream, the
Ironman experience continually transcends pure sport. It centers on
the dedication, courage and perseverance exhibited by athletes who
demonstrate the Ironman mantra that “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.™”

Moss won the

hearts of those
on-hand and
millions who
later saw her
determined effort...

MARCH thru APRIL 2010

Photo by Carol Hogan/Ironman

 Photo by: Bakke-Svensson/Ironman
Ironman has grown to become one of the most recognized
endurance events in the world. In a moved celebrated by the entire
southwest, St. George, Utah is now included in the year long series.
The inaugural Ford Ironman St. George will utilize a variety of Utah’s
scenery, to include Sand Hollow Reservoir, Snow Canyon and the
Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. Women will also have a presence in
this intensely fearce competition. I caught up with a few of these
dedicated and highly competitive women who will represent the
feminine side of Ironman including:
Susie Wargin, almost 40, Denver, CO
Daisy, 32, Santa Clara, UT
Sandy Lambert, 35, Aurora, CO
Sharon Osburn, almost 52, Salt Lake City, UT
Lisa Oliveira, 40, Scottsdale AZ
Natalie Slemboski, 34, St. George, UT
After our interview, Karen Minchow, 47, Salt Lake City, Utah, withdrew
from the event due to a torn rotator cuff in her right shoulder. Karen
said, “I confess this has been a bit overwhelming in the midst of all of
the training I have put in thus far. However, I am not giving up. I hope
to rehab and be back to compete next year.”
Here is what they all had to say.
Kim: Did a specific event inspire you to enter
this field, given its rigorous nature?
SUSIE: Kind of. My mom is a breast cancer survivor and in 2006 I
had been toying with the idea of trying out a tri. When I received a
random email about Tri for the Cure, an event supporting Komen,
I figured it was a sign and I was meant to train for it. I fell in love
with the sport and have realized I enjoy the longer races, so this is a
matter of progression from my initial inspiration.
woman
DAISY: When I was 11, my dad took us kids hiking in Wellsville’s
(Cache Valley, Utah). I remember him telling me we were hiking one
of the steepest mountain ranges in the world. During that hike he
told me I would make a great distance runner. I’ve loved running
ever since. I swam all through my childhood, and spent my summers
swimming in Bear Lake. Since I enjoyed running and swimming so
much, doing an Ironman was always in the back of my mind. When I
learned it was coming to St. George I knew I had to do it …the first
year.
SANDY: I started with running marathons after I finished my degree.
It was a great outlet for some of the energy and focus I had used for
school. I was inspired to do my first triathlon by my younger brother
a few years ago-he challenged me to do an ironman with him. I had
absolutely no idea what I was getting into, but it sounded intriguing.
What’s funny is that I’m the one who ended up doing my first half-
iron triathlon later that year while he still hasn’t gotten his wetsuit
dirty. Now I’m hooked.
SHARON: There was no single event. I’ve been a competitive athlete
all my life and enjoy physical challenges. Running and triathlon are
my favorite sports. These two sports are good metaphors for life.
My whole life has been about overcoming physical and mental
challenges. In these two sports I’ve done a natural progression over
30-plus years: 10K’s, marathons, ultra-marathons, Olympic and Half-
Ironman triathlons. So for me, the Ironman is the pinnacle or ultimate
achievement.
LISA: In September of 2009 we discovered that our 10-year old
daughter Dakota was in heart failure, and would need open heart
surgery. I decided if she could get through that then I could get
through anything. On January 7, 2010 we got through that, and I
now had a promise to keep. Ironman St. George. Wow!
NATALIE: When I was 13 years old, my dad turned on the T.V. and we
started watching the Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii together. He
49

Ironman Athlete Demogrpahics (2009)
Average Annual Income.......................... $161,000
Average Age........................................... 37
Gender Ratio........................................... Male: 70%
Female: 30%
Education (Post Secondary:.................... 95%
Occupation (Professional; Executive)..... 72%
told me all about the race and how impressive it was. That is when
in the back of my head I thought I would like to try one. In 2001 I
completed my first triathlon and then I knew I would build up to
the Ironman distance. So, when I heard Ironman was coming to St.
George, I knew it would be the perfect time to train for it because it
would be right here in my backyard.
 
Kim: How do physically train and mentally prepare
for an Ironman event?
SUSIE: I have a coach and do what she tells me to do! She has helped
tremendously on the physical part and mentally I stay positive. I swim
three times a week, run 3-4 and bike 2-3. I’ve had numerous 2-times a
day in January because my February is a little crazy with work.
DAISY: Swimming three times per week, biking four times per
week, and running two to three times with transition or brick runs.
It has been hard work, but I have enjoyed it a lot. Maybe too much.
Exercising has always helped me be a better wife and mother. It is
therapy. I have been amazed at what I have been able to get my
body to do. Each workout is preparing me mentally for the race, it
builds my confidence.
50
SANDY: The physical training is similar to a part time job-the trick is
to find a plan that works for you and your schedule. I looked around
till I found one that sounded reasonable and fit my training style.
Mentally you have to shut out the negative thoughts. Focus on ’I can
do this!’
SHARON: You have to have some self discipline and mental
toughness to start with. As you become physically stronger and push
through tough workouts in training your self confidence builds. I
practice a lot of visualization throughout my training. You have to
“see” yourself crossing that finish line.
LISA: I am coached by Nick Goodman of Durapulse Performance
Company. At worst, training involves 12-15 workout sessions a week
consisting of weight training, swimming, biking and running. The
longest days can mean eight hours on your bike or a 22 mile run.
The idea of finishing a race as intense as St. George can be very
overwhelming. I trust my coach to prepare me, and keep in mind that
all I can do is my best, and that quitting is never an option.
NATALIE: This is my first full Ironman event. I started training for
this event almost a year ago. Physically, I am preparing for the race
by making sure I get all of my mileage in and tons of hill training
because this is one of the toughest courses in North America. I also
work with a coach, Heath Thurston, who has significantly helped me
with my swimming technique and has helped me design a workout
schedule that is tailored to me and this course specifically. Mentally,
I’m trying to compete in as many similar events as I can so that I know
what to expect. I completed a 70.6 triathlon (half Ironman) in Provo
earlier this year and will be completing another one this spring in Las
Vegas. I really try to focus on how this experience is going to be fun
and a great accomplishment.
Kim: Share a bit of what you juggle on a regular
basis to maintain balance.
SUSIE: I work full time, 3-11am, as a morning sports anchor at a TV
station in Denver. I’m also a mother and wife (2 kids, ages 7 & 10). I
use my afternoons to work out and get up early on the weekends,
before the family wakes up, to get in my long workouts. To top it off,
I’ll have been in Vancouver for 25 days in February for the Olympics,
to work 16-plus hour days – hopefully I’ll have snuck training in there
too!
DAISY: I have four daughters, ages 3, 6, 8, and 10. When asked what
her mom does, my three year old answers, “bikes.” I have a husband
who has been super supportive and understanding even when
he runs out of socks because the laundry has been neglected for
days. I also teach preschool three days a week. Luckily I have super
neighbors and friends who have helped watch my younger kids so I
can go out and bike (since I can’t do that in the dark).
SANDY: I work full time for the Air Force, so my job can be demanding
at times. I have to deploy, so some of my training has been done in
some exotic places-Iraq, Japan and Singapore. I have been married
for several years and my husband is also in the military and attending
school. It gets crazy sometimes, but I love my job and training.
SHARON: I’m fortunate that I don’t have much juggling to do. I don’t
have anyone at home dependant on me and right now I have the
perfect job. I work three 12-hour days with weekends off, and have
terrific co-workers supporting and encouraging me in this endeavor.
MARCH thru APRIL 2010
LISA: I have four children ages 19, 13, 10, and 8; they come first.
I am also a real estate professional with Realty Executives. When I
am not acting as a cook, chauffer, housekeeper, mommy, friend and
salesperson, I train. On weekends I get up at 3:30am to avoid the
Arizona heat. I head out with my riding partners for a long bike ride
or a long run. During the weekdays I get the kids off to school and
then hurry off to train. After training I work like crazy until the kids
get home from school. Two or three nights a week I go to Masters to
swim or to track practice. Sometimes I’m so tired I feel like crying…

NATALIE: Anyone that commits to do the Ironman has to juggle a

lot because training for it requires at least as much time as a part-
time job. Because I am married with six children, the biggest thing
I have to juggle is maintaining my training while still making sure
my kids get all of the attention they need. I also have a part-time
bookkeeping job, so between all of these things it gets pretty hectic.
Sometimes I try and involve the family by either taking the kids with
me to the rec center while I swim or letting one of the kids ride their
bike with me while I run. Luckily, everyone is very supportive so it all
ends up working out. The only thing that sometimes gets neglected
is my sleep.
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Kim: What are five fabulous facts we don’t know about you?

SUSIE: SHARON: I can only think of three…

1. Wake up at 1:45am, Mon-Fri.
2. Have a fetish for workout clothes, I have more layers
than an onion.
3. I put being a mom & wife first, which means sacrificing
sleep on weekends to workout.
4. 2009 Emmy award winner for Sportscast.
5. My downfall is dark chocolate, the darker the better.
DAISY:
1. Ran 7 marathons including Boston.
2. Got some Sponsors for the Ironman: Fargo’s Drive-
Thru. and Coral Canyon Chiropractic.
3. I can keep a conversation going while running up
Snow Canyon.
4. I like to watch Thursday night lineup on NBC, 7-9pm,
while icing my legs.
5. Started biking only 9 months ago.
SANDY:
1. I have involved my family by forming a training group
called ‘Monkey Posse OUTLAWS’!
2. My number one fan is my husband Chris-he has been
with me from the start. He is the driver, mechanic,
chef, fan club, medic, and post race cleaner-upper.
3. I have discovered waterproof makeup is the way
to go.
4. I admire Dean Karnazes greatly.
woman 5. I think chocolate milk is the best post-workout treat.
1. In 1976, I was the first girl from my high school to get
an athletic scholarship to a four year college.
2. In 1979, I was the first and only woman on the men’s
cross country team at that college.
3. In 1990. I survived a traumatic brain injury sustained in
a bike accident and a little over a year later was back
to doing triathlons.
LISA:
1. I adopted my oldest child from Kenya and he is now
a pre-med major at the University of Arizona.
2. I have 11 siblings, went to 42 different grammar
schools, skipped the sixth grade and have lived in 7
different states. My longest friendship spans 30 years.
3. I finished a half marathon after my appendix burst at
mile 4
4. I’m currently writing a book about growing up
homeless.
5. The year I turned 40, I completed a half Ironman,
a 202 mile Ragnar Relay, a half marathon, a full
marathon and an Ironman.
NATALIE:
1. I grew up in Ontario, Canada until I was 17 years old
where it was freezing cold all the time and had to run
from bus-stop to bus-stop just to keep warm.
2. I hate getting out of bed in the morning.
3. I love following all of the professional female runners.
4. I am the oldest of 10 children and love to ride my
bike with my father who is an avid road biker.
5. My favorite thing about training is that I burn so
many calories that I can virtually eat as much food
as I want. 51