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By Elise Reuter, OutThereColorado.com
ERIC REID
Age: 38
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Which event is your strongest?
It would be a tie between cycling and running. I don't always look at which one I'm strongest in because I look at it as one long event, not three.
Why are you competing in the Ironman?
When I first started doing triathlons, I was intrigued by Hawaii and I worked really hard to get there. I love competition. I love endurance sports because you're just out there by yourself executing to the best of your abilities, though there's definitely suffering. I just like to compete, like to race and like to get the best out of myself. ... I am also trying to raise money for a chaity. In the military, over more and more years you see warriors who have been injured. In triathlons, you see a lot of people who have been injured competing. For the Challenged Athletes Foundation's Operation Rebound, the focus is helping wounded warriors get back to life through sports. They help people who suffer permanent injuries get money for prosthetics, education and programs. They offer grants for equipment, a training program and training center to help them train for sports and clinics.
What do you do to train?
I work quite a lot. I'm an army officer. I get up Monday, Wednesday and Friday to run; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to bike. I ride about 100 miles on Saturday, 250 miles a week. I swim whenever I can -- at lunch, usually, for about an hour a day. Everything's regimented and the mileage goes up as you get closer to the race. Sometimes work gets in the way, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
What is the most difficult part of the Ironman?
It's very easy to finish, but very hard to race. There's a limit to how fast you can go; as you come close to the limit, it gets harder. The other hardest part is the swim start. Panic is natural. It's very crowded, you're running out of air and people are climbing all over you.
What are your goals for the World Championship?
To finish in under 10 hours in Hawaii, which is the Mecca of triathlons, is everyone's goal. To get under 10 hours and to finish in the top 200, that would be the perfect day for me. Mostly I just wanna get the best out of myself for the day.
What advice would you give to other athletes?
I think it's very hard to be racing for 10 hours and to stay focused. There are times where you just want to give in at 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 hours, especially since the run is last, with all of the pounding. You just continue to push and run.
Do you feel prepared for the race?
I think I'm pretty prepared, except for the humidity threat. My wife, Mandy and my baby girl, Chloe, are both going with me to hawaii. They both support me; they're very interested in what I do.
Which qualifying race?
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
How many Ironmans have you done?
This is my sixth or seventh Ironman race.
How many Ironman Konas have you done?
This is my second time at Kona. In 2008, I didn't really expect to qualify, but when I got there I felt in the best shape of my life. The whole experience was unbelievable, with all of the other athletes there. It was a special day.
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