When the Ford Ironman Arizona Triathlon takes place in Tempe in less than two weeks, two members from the ASU Cycling & Triathlon Club are going to take up the challenge.
Mechanical engineering senior Brian Rosner and ASU police commander Jim Hardina will be among the thousands taking part in the April 15 Ironman, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.
Rosner has raced in triathlons before, but said he is looking forward to his first Ironman this month.
"I am hoping to savor each of the 140.6 miles," he said. "I put in the time and have the support of my amazing wife and the guidance of my coach [Hardina]."
Hardina, who coaches the ASU Cycling & Triathlon Club, began competing in triathlons in 1999.
"I was into running but saw a [triathlon] article while in a cycling shop and had an epiphany," Hardina said. "I wanted to try that."
Hardina said he enjoys coaching the club team - which has about 15 members on the triathlon side.
"The club is a place for students who want to run a triathlon but don't know how or need a place to start," Hardina said.
Biology senior and club membership recruitment officer Ashley Robota, who loves road and mountain biking and running, joined the club last year.
"I thought I'd try swimming and call myself a triathlete," Robota said. "I've always wanted to do a triathlon, and having the club really made it possible."
Robota has not raced in an Ironman-level triathlon, but competed with her club teammates in the Lake Havasu Triathlon on March 24, she said.
She finished in seventh in the women's collegiate division by completing the 1500-meter swim, 40- kilometer bike and 10- kilometer run in two hours and 45 minutes, she added.
"Finishing a race is amazing," she said. "Mostly, you're relieved because you've been pushing your body so hard and you're exhausted, so seeing the finish line just [gave] me the extra energy to finish strong."
Rosner, who placed seventh in the men's collegiate division in Lake Havasu, agreed, saying reaching the finish line is a great reward.
"It's your moment," Rosner said. "You run through the chute and the people are clapping, sometimes the announcer says your name.
"You are floating."
In order to compete in a triathlon, Rosner and Robota said athletes need to make sacrifices to train.
Rosner said he performs two-hour runs and six-hour bike rides, but it is difficult to find people to run with
him.
Robota said she has to pass on going out with her friends sometimes because she is either tired from hours of training that day or is getting up early for training the next day.
"It's all a balance, and I try to find time for both," Robota said. "But I am doing what I love to do."
Robota and her teammates will be working at a bike aid station at the Ironman Arizona this month and will cheer on Rosner and Hardina. Robata said.
Rosner said he is looking forward to the challenge of the triathlon.
"My confidence level is high right now," Rosner said. "The finish line is waiting for me."
Reach the reporter at jeffrey.mitchell@asu.edu.
