Columnist turned triathlete

By Brian Betz

I've got to admit, I haven't felt like myself lately.

Ever since I started my quest to become Iron Man, my body's felt just about as worn down as Ozzy Osbourne's looks.

Correction, Iron Bronco.

On April 19, the Pat Malley Center started its fourth-annual Iron Bronco Triathlon in which students, alumni and faculty can put their bodies to a test of endurance. The challenge: 26.2-mile run, 112-mile bike and 2.4-mile swim; all to be completed within two weeks, or simply, before this Sunday at midnight. The consolation: One free T-shirt.

I started on April 21, when it dawned on me that I'm something (but not much) more than the washed-up high school athlete of yesteryear. I had the option of forming a team, but instead chose to do it all alone.

With four days left, all that stands between me and that T-shirt is a 50-mile bike and, gulp, the two-mile-plus swim. Sure, I took swimming lessons like most kids, but nothing to prepare me for this. Just as long as I don't look like a complete idiot when I do hit the pool. Then again, I probably shouldn't have talked with Director of Recreation Janice Hayes about this.

"You see people swim out there who typically don't swim, and you can tell," Hayes said.

Well, at least I'm not alone. Yet, it's cases like seeing me flop around in a pool that makes the Iron Bronco concept genius. It inspires people to exercise, not for some stupid T-shirt, but because of the personal challenge.

Last year, 404 people signed up and, according to Hayes, roughly 250 finished. Whatever the success rate, this two-week event attracts a high turnout at Malley. Hayes said the staff notices increased demand for various machines, such as the stationary bikes and treadmills.

Iron Bronco brings out people like 59-year-old alumnus Phillip "Dino" Giambrone. Or senior Nate "Booter" Brown, who completed the entire triathlon last year in one day in just 10 ý hours. Brown says it'll take him two days this year. Some slouch.

And then there's myself, who scoffed at its difficulty only to have my joints tell me otherwise.

In three days' time, I'll be an Iron Bronco. But believe me, I'm holding off the swim until the bitter end.

Which reminds me, if you get a chance, swing by the Malley pool late Saturday night just to make sure I haven't drowned.

û Contact Brian Betz at (408) 554-4852 or bbetz@scu.edu.