Ironman 70.3 Kansas
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Ironman events tend to draw intense, dedicated and committed athletes who embrace the challenge of pushing the limits of their endurance - all in pursuit of a goal that becomes achievable through proper training.
For a few of the 1,500 athletes expected for the Ironman 70.3 Kansas, the race will be a less-stressful extension of their professional lives.
At least two members of the elite Navy SEALs - the military program whose personnel work through Sea, Air and Land - are lined up to compete in the June 15 event at Clinton Lake, said Ryan Robinson, event co-director.
Aside from swimming 1.2 miles, cycling for 56 miles and running another 13.1 miles, SEALs also will be busy with events leading up to the competition. SEALs will make public appearances and operate the Navy Accelerator challenge course during the event's Ironman Sports Expo, which is free and open to the public.
The Navy's Parachute Team also will drop in with the American flag just before the race, giving the public and competitors alike a taste of the precision, training and focus required to be a part of one of the military's most elite units.
It's not by accident.
With some of the nation's most proficient young athletes already lined up to compete in the Kansas event - it is billed as the national collegiate championships - SEALs will be around to answer questions, offer advice and provide examples for competitors who just might want to turn their training and commitment into the beginnings of a military career.
"SEALs and triathletes live the same conditioning lifestyle," said Maria Brown, a Navy spokeswoman. "Potential SEAL/NSW-NSO (Navy Special Welfare and Navy Special Operations) recruits who are physically fit may qualify."
Robinson, who works as a Douglas County sheriff's deputy and has competed in several triathlons himself, knows that the Clinton Lake event will attract some participants who might be willing to accelerate their lives and become SEALs.
"These are people that are motivated and fit and like to challenge themselves," Robinson said. "These are the types of people that can make it through their rigorous training."
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lounger (anonymous) says…
I applaud the people in the Iron man event but New West Lawrence is becoming very stodgy! Wave those flags! Seals go home we have had enough of the military this decade!!!
SettingTheRecordStraight (anonymous) says…
Better not tell the Berkeley, CA city council. They have a strong dislike for military recruiters.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
If we ever get to the point where the Dept. of Defense isn't just an ill-named War Dept., and one that warmongers like those in BushCo can't abuse to conduct vanity imperial wars, and line the pockets of war contractors, then such recruiting could actually be viewed as a good thing.
oldvet (anonymous) says…
Thank you for your service, SEALS. Those men stand post is places you would be afraid to go to, to defend your right to disrespect them.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
The Pentagon vs. America Posted on May 5, 2008By Scott RitterI recently heard from an anti-war student I met while I was speaking at a college in northern Vermont. The e-mail included the following query: "I told you about how I wanted to build a career around social activism and making a difference. You told me that one of the most important things was to make myself reputable and give people a reason to listen to you. I think this is some of the best advice I've received. My issue however is that you mentioned joining the military as a way to do this and mentioned how that is how you fell into it. ... We talked extensively about all of our criticisms of the military currently and our foreign policy. ... What I don't understand is, how can you [advise] someone who wants to make a difference with the flawed system, to join that flawed system?" For the rest of the article---http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080505_the_pentagon_vs_america/