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Show , Winning iriathlete follows intense training schedule by Senior Airman Russ Martin Hilltop Times Training for his first triathlon was hard, but the test would come during staff With the Olympics in Sydney, Australia this year peaking interest this summer, many have hit the gym hard and hit the track harder in an effort to better themselves physically and mentally. As many people continue to learn the benefits of physical fitness, one Hill AFB team member continues to push the envelope in a series of triathlons over the past six years. Staff Sgt. Robert Wieland, 367th Train- - ing Support Squadron combat camera technician, has been seriously run-- ' ning since he was 25 more than seven years ago. It wasnt until three years later Wieland decided to really try his luck at a triathlon, incorporat-ing long distance running, biking and swimming into one race. When I was at Beale (AFB) I worked with a guy who said I really should try triathlons, said Wieland. So I started training and that summer I did three. But incorporating biking and swimming into his physical fitness regiment wasnt so easy. Wielands never been a strong swimmer, he says, and that was the hardest thing to overcome. Ive always been a runner, but Im not a real natural swimmer, accord-- 1 ing to Wieland. I remember starting out, I would swim one length of the pool and stop and start thinking to myself what am I doing here, I need to stop this now. But then gradually I was doing 10 laps and that was a big V deal to me. the contest when the fish out of water would swim with them in open water. The first triathlon I did was an open water swim and I only made it a few minutes before I started doing the t and the side stroke just to keep moving forward but rest a little bit. I had doubts. But in the end, I back-floa- finished in the top of my age group and did very well. I knew if I kept training I could win and that kept me motivated. There were definitely some improvements in both the swimming and bike portion that I could make and so I concentrated on those areas. Wieland began working hard and more intense on his running, biking and swimming and by now he swims three times a week, bikes four times a week and runs four times a week with about 15 total hours a week training. When I was training for Ironman, I trained 25 hours, rode over 200 miles, his family and his coworkers. Everybody in my office is real supportive. We go down to Nellis AFB all the time on TDYs, and I always bring got hit by a beer bottle and another time by a McDonalds cup. So now I just do seven laps around the base. I ran 35 miles and I swam 7,000 meters, Wieland competed in the Armed said Wieland. I got it all fine tuned Forces triathlon four times in the past now where I swim before work and I six years. This year, he has already do what I can at lunch. Sometimes I competed for the Air Force in the Iron-ma- n can run six miles at lunch, then Ill ride California Competition in May at night. and the Air Force won the military Biking at night has also proved to be part. In August, Wieland took top hona bit of a challenge for the combat camors at the base Dog Days of Summer era technician, as Wielands had more Triathlon. than a few close calls on two wheels. With the swim, 13.5 mile The hardest part about riding the bike ride and run Wieland bike to me is avoiding people on the won the race with a time of 51 minutes road, said Wieland. Ive almost been and 42 seconds. hit twice by cars and Ive had things All his success over the past several thrown at me by kids driving by. Once, years can be contributed to two things, I Ill swim laps in the pool. Theyre just a great bunch who keep letting me go. And my bike with me and ride, and my wife is always there to give me words of encouragement. Wieland started running to get fit and hes always been good at it. He started triathlons because a friend encouraged him. He sticks with it, 500-met- er its what he likes to do. because Its a lot of work, but I enjoy doing it as well, said Wieland. I love to com- pete and my boss says Im addicted. Its for fun and thats why I do it. LLGLte GM SALES n2- - r. -- j uJ 723-525- 5 399-562- 1 7m? ( on Moie Amencans httst v&i? , 544-- 1 543-227- 7 USED CREDIT HOTLINE 645 N. MAIN LYTON 235 NEW Chrysler Plymouth Dodge JeepEagte 6 647 S. Main, Brigham From Ogden 47SM 344 723-345- J - SERVICE Genuine Chevrolet Crsjr Brigham AfOTOR CO. OC O Vfymoutfj Jeep N. Main Layton CHKYSlfR 1234 3 55) 544-580- 0 HINCKLEY 1 00061 2810 WASHINGTON BLVD. 544-211- 2 829-324- 5 fsuzuKi i 394-884- 4 RUSS CARRIGAII MOTORS, IliC. 308 E. 125 N., Morgan Oodns Trucks) G3 k. gJ 1888 North Main Street Layton, UT 84041 776-420- 1 -- MERCURY '"'srrv 777 W. Riverdale Rd., Riverdale 394-570- TO ADUERTISE IN THE NEYJ OAR BUYER'S GUIDE CALL I!aS5SlF 1 !?2i SHAW 250675 9 21 00 |