'Have Fun And Enjoy The Adventure'

Local residents Kim Miller and Bev Buysse were two of the 1,800 competitors in October's Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Racers qualify for the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run by competing in other Ironman events, or by getting spots in a lottery. Tens of thousands of athletes apply each year for a spot in this granddaddy of endurance-sport events.

Miller shares how she got involved in triathlons and Ironman events. Buysse reflects on her recent Ironman experience.

Kim Miller, 47, Osprey

Goal: Beat at least one person in my age group as I compete in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

Final results: Swim: 01:13:23; Bike, 06:35:17; Run: 04:20:43. Total time: 12:19:28

Why I did it: I originally started to compete in triathlons to lose weight, and I lost 30 to 40 pounds. My first triathlon was the 1998 Madeira Beach/Mad Dog Triathlon, where I finished second in my age class. Then the competitive juices started to flow, and I wanted to win.

I competed in a weight-class division (along with age: 39 and under, or 40 and over) known as Clydesdales, or Athena for the women. In 1999 and 2001, I won my age division at the Chicago Mrs. T. Olympic Triathlon 1.5 K swim; 40K bike, 10K run. Also in 2001, I won my age division in St. Petersburg's St. Anthony's Triathlon and Los Angeles Triathlon Olympic distance. That year, I competed in my first full Ironman event 2.4-mile swim; 112-mile bike, 26.2 mile run, the Ford Ironman Florida.

How I did it: I followed a strict diet for three to four months and then slowly started to eat sensibly while increasing my exercise. I began with swimming because it was easy for me. My husband bought me a Huffy bike at Wal-Mart or Target, and I started to RIDE. It took me months to build up to a 15-mile ride. The run was (and still is) my nemesis. I began by walking to my next door neighbor's driveway and then slowly jogging to the following driveway, and so it would go until I got around the block. My first one-mile continuous run was a huge success for me. I slowly increased my distance, but it took a LONG time.

People realized the weight loss as the weight came off, but it took a year for my body to change. I would say the complete change took one year.

Hurdles: Injuries! I attempted too much too fast. I forgot I was heavy and wanted to go faster and farther too soon. When I slowed down, my foot, knee and hip aches and pains healed faster. I suffered a severe injury in September 1999, after winning my first national championship. Long story short: I swam in some "dirty" water and ended up with a fungal infection in my eye. I needed a corneal transplant. I took a year off and then received the all-clear to come back and compete. So here I am.

Going the distance: To date, I have completed four full Ironman races and four Ironman 70.3 races. This year was my first Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. The Ironman distance is difficult to maintain. After I race this distance, I take some serious time off from heavy training, one to two months. I maintain fitness by training lightly in all three disciplines. Lightly is the key word. This year I'm competing in two Ironman distance races for the first time. I'll let you know how the body holds up.

Best advice: Read everything you can about the sport. Hire a coach; I should have done this a long time ago. Also, it might take more than one coach. You need to find the person who understands you and your abilities. Realize you are not superhuman. More than likely, you cannot realistically train 40 hours a week. Know your time limitations. Have fun and enjoy the adventure!