Published: May 19, 2008 01:21 am            

Pushing it to the Limit

Palestine’s Zorn competes in Ironman

For Renee Zorn, being active goes way beyond running a few miles every day.

For her, being active means pushing herself to the limit.

On April 13, Zorn participated in her third full Ironman competition, the Ford Ironman Arizona — a triathlon where competitors swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run a full marathon — 26.2 miles — in under 17 hours to qualify.

“I finished — it’s an Ironman. It’s not as much as a competition with others as it is with yourself,” Zorn said.

Overall, 2,200 people competed in the Ford Ironman Arizona.

“Four hundred and sixty one people did not finish. That is pretty significant — it’s a tough race,” Zorn said. “It was 95 degrees, which was hotter than it was supposed to be. It also was very windy, which affected my speed biking. You never know what the elements will be.”

Zorn also participated in the Great Floridian Ironman in 2004 and the Ironman Wisconsin in 2005.

“In Wisconsin, it was supposed to be 77 degrees, but it was 97 — a lot of people fell out of the race because of it,” Zorn said. “I’m glad that I train in Texas because you are more accustomed to the heat.”

Zorn moved from Wisconsin to Texas in 1997 and has worked at Cartmell Home for Aged as an occupational therapist assistant for four years.

“I’ve always loved sports. In high school, I did track and field. In college, I did track,” Zorn said. “It’s part of my lifestyle. My normal routine is biking and running.

“When I moved to Texas I started running, doing duathlons (bike and running competitions), marathons, ultramarathons and then added swimming to it.”

Zorn began training for the Arizona competition last summer, noting that preparing for an Ironman competition can be a year-long experience.

“I trained every day,” Zorn said. “Since Ironman, I’ve slowed down a little. I still train six days a week, taking one day off. I ride on the weekends during the daylight hours.”

In preparation for the Ironman, she competed in a half Ironman competition in Austin in August 2007 and a half marathon in Dallas in December 2007.



The Competition



The Ford Ironman Arizona begins with the 2.4-mile swim in Temple Town Lake at 7 a.m.

“It was 68 degrees so it was cold, but it was my favorite part this year,” Zorn said.

In order to qualify, participants had to finish the swim by 9:30 a.m. or be disqualified. Participants then had until 5:30 p.m. to be at the turnaround on the third lap of the 112-mile bike ride or be disqualified. By 10:30 p.m., they had to be through mile 17 of the 26.2 mile-run or be disqualified. Those who did not make the finish line by midnight (the 17th hour) did not qualify.

“It was really hard because even 20 minutes after midnight you saw people still finishing,” Zorn. “But honestly, that’s what matters — finishing.”

The competition was extra special because Zorn had people waiting for her to cross the finish line.

“This year my brother and his wife came and my friend Mary Knowles came to watch me finish,” Zorn said. “It’s really cool because everyone is screaming. It’s your moment.”

While buying some extra gear before the race, Zorn had the opportunity to meet Ironman professional Michellie Jones of Australia, who won the Ironman in 2006 and finished second this year.

“I asked her what her strategy was and asked her to sign my Ironman bag for me,” Zorn said. “She signed it ‘To Renee: Live Your Iron Man.’ Those words really helped me when I was out there all day, because after a while, your mind will start playing tricks on you.”

The day after the competition, all the participants attend an awards banquet.

“You get to watch all of the professionals get their money and prizes — it’s pretty cool,” she said.

Meanwhile, back at Cartmell Home, the activities department posted her results throughout the day.

“The residents really got a kick out of what I did,” Zorn said. “I’m so fortunate to have great support system from my family, friends and co-workers. And Cartmell was really great at allowing me to have flexible schedule.”



Back to Normal



Now that the Ironman is over, Zorn already is preparing for more competitions and is keeping up her running and biking.

“I might participate in the Women’s Triathlon in Athens at end of June and in the fall I might do a half Iron Man in Dallas, or possibly a marathon,” Zorn said.

For those who think entering an Ironman could be in their future, Zorn offers the following advice, “Go for it. But if you’ve never done one before, start out with a sprint. Then move up to an Olympic, then to a half (Ironman),” she suggested. “It all depends on how bad you want it. It’s a good way to find out what you are made of.”

Besides her love of running, biking and staying active, Zorn loves hockey, is an avid football fan and is learning to golf. She keeps company with her three “puppy dogs” — schnauzers Lily and Katie and Pumpkin, a terrier mix.

        

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