Charity/Community Projects Selection:  Make A Wish Foundation

Personal:  Andy is 31 years old.  He is the Finance VP at Firth Rixson.  Firth Rixson manufactures rings for jet engines. He works at both the US plants (Rochester, NY & Reno, NV) and travels frequently.

He is English and have only been in the US since July 1999, with the first two years being solely based in Rochester. His family is still in the UK, he is the youngest of 3 children and have both a sister & bother. He is the only member of the family doing any sporting activity. His father was a sprinter in his youth, so he has no idea where my IronMan interest originated. His interests include skiing, horse riding, music, oh yes and triathlon!  He lives in Pittsford, NY.

Athletic Portfolio/Accomplishments: 

Andy's first Tri was in 1999 just before he left the UK. As part of a work project, a colleges had to organize an event. He also wanted to stop smoking, so he organized a Tri for the company employees. Andy, inspired by seeing clips of Tri’s on TV and some arm twisting, entered the event with 15 others.  A motley crew that only included one person who ran marathons, and the company general manager who competed in bike races.

Andy knew how to swim and bike but had never been a runner. He remembers his first run around the block, about ½ a mile. He could not even run that without walking and suffering. How was he ever going to complete the 9 mile run at the end of a Tri? He persevered, started swimming twice a week and doing a few bike rides in the beautiful Peak District national park in Derbyshire where he lived, and slowly increased the runs lengths.

Race day arrived and he got a good lead after the pool swim (he was the only person to do the whole swim in crawl). This lead was almost eroded by the end of the bike as the GM had used his strong bike skills to his advantage. He managed to complete the run and hold off the challenge (good thing he was not a runner either). This was his 1st and only win.

After moving to the US, he took a break for doing anything (overwhelmed by work) until 2001. He decided to give Tri's another try. He joined the Rochester Area Triathlete’s and competed in the following races:

• Penn Yan (int. Distance)
• Timberman ½ IronMan in NH
• Keuka Lake (int Distance)

After lots of training, early morning swims and runs, evening & weekend rides, he competed in the following during 2002.

• California ½ IronMan at Oceanside.
• Penn Yan (got a lot quicker than last year)
• Then the big one IronMan USA at Lake Placid.

He went into this wanting to fulfill the goal of competing an IronMan. During the training, he got to know some interesting people, got into the best physical condition of my life and basically had fun. His experience at Lake Placid was amazing, he completed the race and enjoyed the atmosphere from the crowd, helpers and fellow competitors. So there you have it, Lake Placid 2003 here he come.

Weekly Training:  2 to 4 hours swimming, 100 to 200 miles cycling, 10 to 30 miles running.

Equipment:  Nineteen wetsuit; Cervelo bicycle, Nikes or Saucony's running shoes; Carnac bike shoes, Giro helmet.