A new job propelled Bryce Gladdish to return to running again.
Now four years later, Gladdish is on the cusp of competing in his inaugural Subaru Ironman Canada race, Aug. 26, in Penticton. When a friend suggested Gladdish sign up a year ago he didn't think it was possible as he was already balancing work, school and a family.
"I had no idea that I would until I mentioned it to my wife who surprisingly said, 'Go for it,'" said Gladdish. "Ever since then, I think, she's been regretting it a little bit because of the time commitment it takes, but she's been so supportive that it's worked."
The arrangement worked this year because his wife Paula was on maternity leave so Gladdish could spend a lot of time training without having to dole out money for childcare for six-year-old Noah and seven-month-old Zavier.
"I don't think I'll be allowed to do another one next year that's for sure," laughed the 28 year old.
Gladdish competed in track and field in high school, in Trail until Grade 11 and then at Prince George secondary for Grade 12.
"I left that [behind after graduation] only to get a job a Camp Trapping where they do a lot of running," he said about the court-ordered home for troubled youth about 50 kilometres south of Prince George. "I started taking it on pretty passionately, but as a runner I was getting a lot of injuries."
A friend suggested Gladdish take up cross-training to help curb the injuries so he started biking and swimming, eventually leading the ultra-competitive marathon runner to start competing in triathlons and half Ironmans.
"I've done years of triathlon specific training all building up towards this one year in doing the Ironman Canada," he said.
The Penticton Ironman includes a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride and a 42.2 km run. The 2012 edition marks the 30th anniversary of the Penticton race which started in 1982 with 23 competitors. By 2002 the race attracted 2,032 competitors, while 2,841 people participated in 2011.
Gladdish said he doesn't expect to finish in the eight hours or so that professional competitors will complete the course but he's setting a goal of finishing in 11 hours. The maximum time to complete the race is 17 hours.
"With my goal of 11 hours I'll be very competitive in my age category and I'll definitely be in one of the front groups which would be a great thing to be able to accomplish," said Gladdish, having completed half Ironman races in about five hours. "It's a little risky saying that out loud because it requires a lot of speed. It's tough to have speed when you get into this length of a competition."
"I've been doing all the training appropriately and I've got everything figured out," he added. "It'll happen on race day but it'll just take mental toughness that's for sure."
Gladdish said his background in mixed martial arts (MMA) is actually helpful when it comes to preparing for the mental part of the race.
"I was actually a mixed martial arts fighter and that helps out quite a bit for being mentally tough," said Gladdish. "Sometimes in MMA you get into positions where other people are applying a lot of pain to yourself. Ironman is a little bit different because you're the one applying the pain instead of somebody else."
Since November Gladdish has trained up to 25 hours per week for the race, including one to three hours each morning and then again in the evening before going to bed at 8:30 p.m., while balancing his job and his distance education courses as he studies for a degree in criminology from Simon Fraser University.
"I really don't have much personal time and if you ask any of my friends they'd say they barely know me anymore," said Gladdish. "It can be lonely and difficult but Aug. 26 it'll be worth it. Next year I'll have to get back to finding hobbies when I have all this free time."
Gladdish already has one event on his 2013 calendar - the Boston Marathon in April, which he met the qualifying standard for when he ran the Victoria Marathon in three hours, four minutes (the time standard for his age category is three hours, five minutes) last year.
"I'm thinking about doing it as I've qualified for it and it was a big life goal," said Gladdish. "Every distance runner wants to qualify and do it. So to not do it would be a bit of a shame."
See Wednesday's Prince George Citizen for more Prince George residents who are training for the 30th annual Subaru Ironman Canada competition in Penticton, Aug. 26.
