“The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday” is the widely heard motto of the most elite commandos in the world, the US Navy SEALs. In recent years, these warriors have been in news headlines for their leading role in capturing and killing Osama bin Laden - or “UBL” as they tagged him - and for numerous tragic losses their community has faced in battle. With the growing spotlight on SEALs (best selling books, movies, video games, exclusive TV specials, etc), one thing remains unchanged to be sure, these are the bravest men our country has who operate under intense risk, are fiercely loyal to one another, their families and this country, and would most likely prefer to carry-on their duties in the shadows instead of in the national spotlight. Without knowing it, they challenge each of us to look at ourselves and make us more courageous as we tackle our own lives.
Seven years ago I was living in Boulder, CO at a publishing company in the endurance sports market, Inside Communications, which produced titles including VeloNews, Inside Triathlon, SkiRacing and VeloPress. I worked exclusively with Inside Triathlon and often researched events throughout the world that presented unique challenges. I stumbled across SUPERFROG, billed as the world’s oldest, and toughest, half-Ironman in Coronado, Calif on the US Navy SEALs training grounds. I was immediately intrigued.

I convinced my wife, a top level age-grouper at the time, to train for and travel out to Coronado to compete. We have been involved as competitors or in the race directing capacity with SUPERFROG every year since! In those seven years, my wife earned three overall wins (with their unique paddle awards to prove it) and I came close-but-no-cigar on nearly occasion with three runner-ups behind top pros Chris McDonald, Jonas Colting and Jozef Major and two other near misses. Last year, I took a step back from racing and helped produce the event as we had a special guest racer which required extra planning.

I am not training at the same level as a triathlete any longer but have put together a few consistent years as a cyclist. So, while I won’t be toeing the line on Sunday, September 29th in the 35th edition of the event with the individuals, I’ve compiled a strong relay team to challenge for that category title.
On paper, our team oozes with talent and includes top local swimmer (and former pro triathlete) Kosuke Amano, San Diego’s finest runner, Okwaro Raura, and me on the bike. To give you an idea of the firepower amassed on this team here is a brief sentence on each racer:
In his first marathon earlier this month, Kosuke won the Ventura Marathon in 2:37! Previously in the summer he attempted a Trans-Tahoe ultra swim. This guy has gills!
Okwaro ran a 1:19 half-marathon over arguably the toughest run course SUPERFROG has ever seen last year! That is 6:05/mile pace over mostly soft sand! He was the only person to outrun Lance Armstrong (yeah yeah, we know.....Lance did all three sports).

I’m the weakest link but I’ve got my sights set on the 2:03:58 bike split put up by pro cyclist Karl Bordine at last year’s race. I shouldn’t say this, but Karl only managed the 3rd fastest time last year behind Lance’s race best 2:02:48 and Leon Griffin’s 2:03:08. Even on a pancake flat course like SUPERFROG’s, averaging over 26.5 mph will be no small feat.

Barring mechanicals, bonks, or any unforeseen issues, I think we’ll be tough to beat but we are taking nothing for granted. That’s why they hold the race and until the first team crosses the finish line, it is everyone’s race to win!
I’m equally looking forward to seeing how the individual race unfolds as a few top pros including Ian Mikelson and Tim Marr amongst others will battle it out for the win and the prestigious paddle!

(Left to Right: Tyler Butterfield 3rd, Lance 1st, Leon 2nd)
Cheers,
Lars
We assembled a superb group of athletes including swimmer Kosuke Amano (2nd out of water), Okwaro Raura (1st overall runner) and me (1st off the bike) and we delivered the goods on Sunday.
Once Kosuke exited the 1.2-mile swim only seconds off the lead swimmers pace, I pushed as hard as possible over the flat and fast 56-mile bike and gave Okwaro a lead he really didn't need as he capped off the 13.1-mile run in a blistering 1:15! We even managed to impress Portos, Kosuke's new wonder dog, who approved of our course record 3:45 time.
Two high-fives on the day go out to men's overall winner Joszef Major. Joszef and I had a duel back in 2011 where I held the lead until Mile 11 of the run when the fleet-footed Hungarian sped away to the win. This year, he beat a class field and earned his second win on this tough course.
Second high-five to Kevin "DJ Oso Grande" McGuire who finished his first half-Ironman as part of his journey towards Ironman Arizona in November. DJ Oso crushed it on his Mavic CXR 60/80 wheel set and will be rocking the sound system at our upcoming October 25-26 Fearless Races!
Next up for me is a 112-mile time-trial of the Ironman Hawaii bike course with Mavic and Triathlete Tech Editor, Aaron Hersh. I'll have a tracking device on me during the ride so tune in to Triathlete's website to follow the ride along the Queen K Highway on Wednesday, October 9th.
