The View

Jetson Swayze: “After I broke my back for the third time, my brother-in-law talked me into racing,” Jetson said matter-of-factly. Jetson was a bull rider in rodeos as a pro for 3 years. Several years ago he found a new passion in Triathlon and Ironman competitions. They are both multi-stage competitions completing three continuous and sequential endurance disciplines; swimming, cycling and running. Jetson joined the Boulder Racing team and trains with a coach whenever he is not at work. 

Jetson competes in a big race once a month. The first one this year was near Orlando, Florida. “My whole family came out which was awesome.” The next race was in St George, Utah. “It was amazing, I hit a personal record in that race, and it is one of the hardest courses for the half, some of the most elevation gain.”

The half Ironman means that you swim for 1.2 miles, bike for 56 miles and finish off with a 13.1-mile run.

Last month Jetson raced in Wisconsin (in the cold rain no less) which is a qualifying race. He came in 7th and qualified to compete in the half Ironman World Championship in South Africa but decided to wait until next year and try for the competition in Nice, France. Jetson plans to compete later this summer for the ITU World Championship to represent the USA in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2019.

Next goal – the full Ironman. “The Boulder full Ironman course would be fun, it’s my home course, but I want to kick my butt, and so my goal is Lake Placid, NY. It is one of the hardest courses with 6000 feet of climbing.  Getting a 1st or 2nd would qualify me for Kona.” The full Ironman championships are always held in Kona, Hawaii.

A full Ironman is a 2.5-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26-mile marathon at the end.

“It’s a lot easier on my body than a rodeo,” Jetson adds.

Jetson works in our Design/Build Department.

∼ Joanna B Pinneo