Sean Astin's Ironman World Championship Triathlon Race Report

Submitted by Sean Astin @SeanAstin

Beyond Victory: The DNA of an Endurance Everyman.
A tough look at the guts, gristle and mechanics of my drive to do more.

Ok, that's a bit of a heavy opener, but I've been dragging my heels on posting a race report for my epic Ironman Championship Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii on October 10th, 2015.

Why? Well, I've been incredibly focused on the minutia and often esoteric athletic details in my mind and spirit. It will seem silly to many that the impression I give focuses on my feelings about the physical stuff, when I should be happy with having achieved something wonderful regardless of where I "stack up" in the 2000+ field of participants (for the record, at the very bottom—no matter, I FINISHED yaaayyy!!!), or anyone in the sport for that matter. But in a real way, I want to honor the fact that I've earned my way into a legitimate conversation on the topic, and therefore it does matter to me.

So, for those of you interested in wading into the deep recesses of my post race analysis, please understand that I am forever grateful for all of the joy, health and success that I experienced. My desire to offer encouragement to others, particularly those who don't have athletic ambitions beyond perhaps common sense fitness is in no way diminished. In fact, I hope that people at any phase of health in their life can appreciate that I wish to explore my "failings" (of course they aren't actual failures). I shudder to think that sharing any of my "harsh" self analysis might be construed as anything other that a celebration of my limitations and my earnest desire to understand them better. In the final analysis, I will triumphantly return to my more enlightened modality. I trust that I will gracefully transition into a perspective that understands the context of my experience within a broader social and cultural reality. Meaning, most people don't and won't do Triathlons, and I have much more in common with "normal" exercisers than I do with disciplined and regular endurance athletes. It's all relative, and I promise I have no intention of going too far down the rabbit hole and obsessing needlessly about my performance or consigning my future to a more ludicrous ambition than I or my supportive wife and children think is healthy.

Without further ado, I hereby stream some consciousness flowing from the first few weeks after becoming an Ironman!

Ironman Kona #Run3rd Dedications

On October 10, 2015, I will participate in the Ironman Championship Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. I will wear the #Run3rd logo all 140.6 miles of the journey. As I swim, cycle and run, the dedications that you all have made and continue to make will come with me. Thank you all so much. I #Run3rd for you.

Much love and respect,
Sean

~~~

kstevens73 Please #Run3rd for my niece, Mara, who has Downs Syndrome and is on the Autism Spectrum. She turns 13 this month.

wendylynnes Please #Run3rd for my strong & incredibly brave Mom who is fighting breast cancer. And all who are fighting breast cancer.

kaysifajardo Please #Run3rd for my best friend with Leukemia

carachapel Please #Run3rd for all the poor families and friends of the people killed at Umpqua Community College.

2 Rudy’s Together – Star of Rudy, Sean Astin, Partners with Rudy Project

Star of Rudy, Lord of the Rings and The Goonies Partners with Italian Sports Brand Rudy Project to Support His IRONMAN World Championship Race & Raise Funds for After School Running Programs Through the IRONMAN® Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Denver, CO (September 30, 2015) –Rudy Project, crafters of the #1 Most-Worn Aero / TT Helmet at the IRONMAN® World Championships for the last four consecutive years, is thrilled to announce a partnership with Kona-bound athlete and world-renowned actor Sean Astin. Already accustomed to identifying himself with the name Rudy, Sean’s leading role as Daniel Ruettiger in the award-winning 1993 film Rudy made him a household name, but today, with the help of Rudy Project, he is using his celebrity status to inspire others with his global #Run3rd® campaign.

“Cycling is a thrilling sport and every time I climb on my bike, I know that it can be dangerous,” Sean shared.  “I feel more comfortable on the streets and biking down hills knowing that I’m protected by the best technology in the field. The helmets all fit perfectly. I wear several different models depending on the day, terrain and whether I’m on my road bike or tri bike. One day I started to pedal but was in too low a gear and fell over and hit my head hard on the cement. I took off the helmet and wiped off the scratch. I stood embarrassed in the street staring at the helmet and realized I probably would have had a concussion or worse if I wasn’t wearing it. The point is that it worked. I love that I’m working with such a solid company. In the movie Rudy, Rudy follows his dreams and never quits. In my pursuit of Kona, I’m following a dream and I will never quit. I’m proud to have the Rudy Project on board to support this dream.”

Sean Astin Launches #Run3rd Fundraising Campaign

#Run3rd Fundraising Campaign

"Fitness combined with a structured emphasis on community should be available for every student.” —Sean Astin

Sean Astin with kids at the Inaugural #Run3rd 5K in Mesa, AZ, April 11, 2015.

From IRONMAN - "Sean will be in for one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of his life! It will inspire people and show them that anything is possible (who better than RUDY!). His background, commitment to competition and eagerness to immerse himself in philanthropic activities makes him a great ambassador for the sport. We are thrilled to welcome Sean into the IRONMAN family in October.

"The IRONMAN World Championship is a 140.6-mile swim-bike-run event on October 10, 2015, on the Big Island of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The “Super Bowl of Triathlons” will provide Sean a global platform to promote his philanthropic passion. He will be competing among professionals, amateurs and everyday athletes."

Soooo, after close consultation with my family, I decided to give it a go. The Ironman organization will donate $25,000 to my #Run3rd charity upon completion of the race. I’ve created this crowdfunding platform to make it easy for people who are watching me pursue this dream help student/runners follow theirs. I’ve set an extremely ambitious goal of $50,000.

The fundraising page gofund.me/run3rd explains the basic premise of how I will manage the distribution of the funds.

Sean Astin: Training for the Ironman World Championship Triathlon

Earlier this year, Sean Astin was invited to take part in the Ironman World Championship Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii, on October 10, 2015. The event consists of a 2.4 mile swim in open water, a 112 mile bike race, and a full 26.2 mile marathon.

Sean has been training in earnest for several months, and has already participated in two shorter triathlon events: the Ironman Vineman 70.3 Triathlon in Sonoma, CA, on July 12, and the Cranberry Trifest Olympic in Lakeville, MA, on August 23.

Here are some postings, videos and photos from Sean about these events and his other training regimen as he prepares for this incredible challenge.

July 12, 2015: Ironman 70.3 Sonoma, CA

Who's that guy in the California jersey? Wait a minute. It's me!!! This Sunday, I completed my first Ironman 1/2 Triathlon. That's right folks, I'm Half an Ironman, or a Halfling if you will…

It was called the Vineman 70.3 in Sonoma.

Here's the math: 1.2 mile swim -- 56 mile cycle -- 13.1 mile run. I completed it in 7 hours and 25 minutes and felt great afterward.

Have a gander at some pics taken by my friends Kris, Mindy & Eli:

Sean Astin's Bolder Boulder 10K Report

Submitted by Sean Astin, @SeanAstin
May 25, 2015 - Memorial Day

Today, I ran the Bolder Boulder 10k. It was the best produced event of that length that I've ever participated in. Congratulations to the event organizers!!! Thanks to Colorado University Boulder for your hospitality. To the dedicated community (including those handing out beer to daring slip and sliders on your lawns, the several people handing out bacon {weird}, all of the volunteers and the many many bands and musical acts: 2 belly dancing troupes, a Operatic performance (Magic Flute?), an Aerosmith cover band with-musta been an 11 year old girl playing Steven Tyler, the animal frat looking house screamers and on and on… WICKED COOL FUN BLAST!!!

Folsom Field, Colorado University Boulder

Sean Astin's Boston Marathon Report

Submitted by Sean Astin, @SeanAstin

Boston Marathon 2015. Finish Line.

Denise and Jane Richard are cheering and smiling as each of the 73 members of their Team MR8 come across.

I did what I said, and tried to honor young Martin Richard (8yrs old) as I passed the site of the tragedy by reflecting on everything that happened that day and since. After 4 hours and 49 minutes of cold and rainy 26.2 mile crowd fueled, leg demolishing awesomeness, I had prepared myself to end the run on a note of reverence.

Then there they were, Jane (9 years old), standing, jumping up and down with her prosthetic leg, courtesy of that awful day, and Martin's mom, Denise with a huge smile of, can you believe it, gratitude of all things. A smile back and a kiss on the hand later, I turned and lost it.

Sean Astin's Inaugural Run3rd 5K Report

Photo by Bert Jones Photography

Submitted by Sean Astin, @SeanAstin

Oh, What a day. Our Run3rd 5k on April 11 was a bona fide, legit, 100% success. Race Directors Mindy & Kris Przeor have shown their quality, and it is the very highest. Industry leaders take notice, these two rookies delivered a world class event right out of the chute!

Now, if you forced me to pick from the dozens of life memories we created this morning, this would have to be the moment of the day for me. Kaleb is a very special boy with special needs.

Halfway through 5k run along the nicely appointed desert scape surrounding Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Arizona, young Kaleb (9 years old), was running in the wrong direction.

We got to know each other a little before the run, when I was chatting with a bunch of the elementary school students who'd come out to run. He was always the first to raise his hand and his answers were razor sharp and imaginative. In a word, Kaleb was memorable. I did not however, expect to see him running the wrong way, well over a mile into the race. He had to have run the 1st mile in under 8 minutes.

"What's wrong Kaleb?" I am terrible with remembering people's names, but for some reason, not with his.

Sean Astin: My Team MR8 Jersey

Submitted by Sean Astin, @SeanAstin

Look what came in the mail today. My Team MR8 Jersey.

{I have to raise $3,000 more to reach my fundraising goal. Please Sponsor MY Boston Marathon. It's only 32 days away. Every $10 gets me closer. Boston Marathon Team MR8 Fundraising}

It's been a long time since I earned my way onto an athletic team. In fact, the last running team I was on, was the Crossroads High School Varsity Cross Country Squad, Santa Monica CA 1989. 

Whew, that takes ya back. 26 Years. Give me a sec. I have to sit down on the couch to finish writing this. I don't even want to think it, but it may be a full 2 pounds for every year. Ugh. Now I'm sitting on the floor. 

I wore a size 8 in High School. Now I wear a size 9. Then, I could run three 6 minute miles. Now, I can run six 9 minute miles (almost). Back then, I felt alone a lot. Now I don't. My High School Cross Country Team had less than 15 people. Team MR8 has 73. In my youth, I tried my very best. In that department, nothing has changed.

Sean Astin to run Boston Marathon for Team MR8

Submitted by Sean Astin @SeanAstin

Hey everyone,

THANK YOU SO MUCH for visiting my 2015 Boston Marathon Celebration of Martin and his message of PEACE fundraising page!!!!!

I never could have imagined that I'd get to run Boston. In order to qualify, I'd have to shave over an hour off of my best marathon time. Eeeek! As fate would have it, Dave McGillivray, Boston Marathon Race Director, invited me to join Team MR8 and run on behalf of young Martin Richard and the amazing foundation that his parents established in his honor.

For those of you who know about my #Run3rd Inspirational Campaign, you can see that I'm taking the next step and actually trying to encourage charitable giving. Education, Athletics & Community make perfect sense!!!

I wore the Boston jersey, with a Boston Strong Ribbon, and embroidered with #Run3rd and my wife and children's names in the days after the April 2013 events, to demonstrate my solidarity with the victims, their families, the people of Boston, the peace loving running community and our nation.

With this page, I continue in that spirit and ask you to help me turn my hope and passion into action!!!!

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Again, many thanks for your support—and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

Much Love and Respect,
Sean Astin

I #Run3rd for YOU!!!

The Inaugural #Run3rd 5K and Our Schools

Submitted by Sean Astin @SeanAstin

#Run3rd is an idea. It's a very special act of thinking about other people and their loved ones and causes. Over the years since its creation, #Run3rd has inspired people, moved people, helped create lasting friendships and been a source of good feelings and wishes for all who happen upon it. Now, it's becoming something more…

On April 11th, I will be in Mesa, Arizona, running in the Inaugural #Run3rd 5k race. Mindy and Kris Przeor (good luck pronouncing their last name!) came to me with the idea to host an actual #run3rd sanctioned 5k. There had been a successful Virtual #Run3rd 5k, hosted by devoted #Run3rd advocates. This was not the first time and hopefully won't be the last time that the idea of an actual run had been floated. After getting to know Kris and Mindy, running in a few races together and seeing how committed they are do doing something special and doing it well, I decided to let #Run3rd become a Terrestrial event. Once you watch the piece that my friend Bob Hitchcock is producing with @RunDisney you'll see why.

Sean Astin's WDW Marathon 2015 Report

Submitted by Sean Astin, @SeanAstin

I love this image. It's a classic case of how I felt not quite matching the way I looked. As far as I'm concerned, at this moment I was experiencing Nirvana.

Here, at mile 24, I'm running faster and with more energy, passion and fire than at any point in the previous 44 miles of road fun. I get that by the looks of it, I could be power walking, preparing to blow out candles, or just getting excited that I'm close to home and there may be a life altering letter from the sweepstakes people waiting for me. But your eyes are deceiving you. What's happening in this picture isn't what it seems, for 2 miles earlier I had experienced an earth shattering breakthrough.

Without getting too technical, I'd elected to do Jeff Galloway's run/walk/run method for this race, due to my previous day's calf strain. The green KT tape on my leg did its job well though and the injury was a total non-factor. Praise! Oh, due to a flap flap flapping piece, I pulled off the 3 stripes on my right leg around half way. Nothing like ripping the hair down the length of your leg to remind you what kind of pain you can endure on a journey like this. Anyhow, I got to the 13 mile marker comfortably, at roughly the same pace as the previous day's 1/2 Marathon.

Walt Disney World Marathon 2015 by Sean Astin

Submitted by Sean Astin, @SeanAstin

Walt Disney World Marathon 2015
The Dopey Challenge
48.6 Miles in 4 Days
(5k, 10k, 1/2 Marathon & Full Marathon)

I’m 43 years old for one more month and my passion for running has morphed into a full blown obsession.

In 2013, I ran 3 full Marathons. Last year I did 2. Hmm, what craziness might I get up to this year? I hope The Dopey Challenge sets the tone. Crazy? Maybe. But, as my carbon based body proceeds along its course, I have a ticket to ride, paid for with a lifetime of long distance running. The Dopey Challenge? Bring it...

First, I love Running in "Disney" events. In fact, I'm a regular, having completed 6 RunDisney ½ Marathons, with 2 Dumbo Double Dares (10k & 1/2 in the same weekend) & the prized Coast to Coast Medal (A Disneyland, CA & Disney World, FL 1/2 Marathon in the same calendar year).

The time has come for me to return to the big Park in Florida. Walt Disney World, I shall tackle the biggest event your RunDisney has to offer.