MONROE - Monroe's Dustin Leutenegger was one of about 2,000 competitors at the Ironman World Championship triathlon in Hawaii on Oct. 14.
Leutenegger, who turns 36 Saturday, finished in 98th place out of 228 competitors in his age group. Among men age 35-39 he clocked a time of 10 hours, 3 minutes and 38 seconds.
"It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," Leutenegger said. "Given the conditions, I'm super happy with how (my finishing time) worked out."
Triathlons are one of the world's toughest endurance tests. Competitors have to run the marathon distance of 26.2 miles, bike 112 miles and then swim another 2.4 miles. At the world championships in Hawaii, the course goes over black lava rocks in sweltering heat and shifting winds of up to 45 miles per hour. The swimming portion takes place in the Pacific Ocean.
"It was a whole lot different riding bike through the lava fields - super hot, the sun was unbearable, the wind changes directions; it makes you mentally tired," Leutenegger said. "Swimming is a lot different. You can see 50 feet under you to the bottom of the ocean and all the fish, but it's really choppy, too."
Leutenegger arrived in Hawaii before the race and stayed with other competitors.
"I've made a lot of friends doing triathlons," said Leutenegger, who said his girlfriend, daughter, ex-wife, brother and sister-in-law and their kids all came for the competition. "And it was my first time in Hawaii. I stayed 16 days. We did some of the touristy stuff too, after the race, before we came home."
To take part in the world championship in Hawaii, competitors have to qualify at one of the satellite events. For Leutenegger, qualifying is just a short drive north of Monroe at the Ironman Wisconsin in Madison.
"It gives you an edge," Leutenegger said of knowing the Madison course. "You know what to expect."
He is already planning a return trip. Next year's Ironman Wisconsin will be Sept. 9, with the Hawaii championship taking place Oct. 13.
"I'm hoping to go back," Leutenegger said.
Leutenegger, who turns 36 Saturday, finished in 98th place out of 228 competitors in his age group. Among men age 35-39 he clocked a time of 10 hours, 3 minutes and 38 seconds.
"It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," Leutenegger said. "Given the conditions, I'm super happy with how (my finishing time) worked out."
Triathlons are one of the world's toughest endurance tests. Competitors have to run the marathon distance of 26.2 miles, bike 112 miles and then swim another 2.4 miles. At the world championships in Hawaii, the course goes over black lava rocks in sweltering heat and shifting winds of up to 45 miles per hour. The swimming portion takes place in the Pacific Ocean.
"It was a whole lot different riding bike through the lava fields - super hot, the sun was unbearable, the wind changes directions; it makes you mentally tired," Leutenegger said. "Swimming is a lot different. You can see 50 feet under you to the bottom of the ocean and all the fish, but it's really choppy, too."
Leutenegger arrived in Hawaii before the race and stayed with other competitors.
"I've made a lot of friends doing triathlons," said Leutenegger, who said his girlfriend, daughter, ex-wife, brother and sister-in-law and their kids all came for the competition. "And it was my first time in Hawaii. I stayed 16 days. We did some of the touristy stuff too, after the race, before we came home."
To take part in the world championship in Hawaii, competitors have to qualify at one of the satellite events. For Leutenegger, qualifying is just a short drive north of Monroe at the Ironman Wisconsin in Madison.
"It gives you an edge," Leutenegger said of knowing the Madison course. "You know what to expect."
He is already planning a return trip. Next year's Ironman Wisconsin will be Sept. 9, with the Hawaii championship taking place Oct. 13.
"I'm hoping to go back," Leutenegger said.
