Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema is not only the first member of Congress to ever complete the Ironman race, but she is the first to complete the race twice!
"I'm not a talented athlete," Sinema said. "I don't have any natural skill. I don't have the right body for running and I don't have a great lung capacity. But what I do have is a lot of determination and the willingness to work hard and that's really what Ironman is all about."
Shortly after winning her Congressional seat in 2012 and volunteering for Ironman Arizona 2012, she made the decision to sign-up for 2013. The triathlon is a daunting 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike course and full marathon.
"I turned to my friend," she said, "and said, 'Guess I have to learn how to swim.' I took my first swim lesson in February of 2013 and did my first Ironman in November of 2013."
It took 15 hours, 12 minutes and 34 seconds to finish the 140 mile course. Sinema was hooked and, after winning her re-election campaign, decided to run again. This time, however, she decided to participate in the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
"Kona is so much harder," Sinema said. "I mean you are swimming off the coast of Kona in open water with heavy, heavy currents and big waves. The biking is much harder because it's very hilly. And frankly when I got off the bike and started running all that's left is a marathon. You're home free."
A casual statement for someone who has completed 10 plus marathons. But no matter how often Sinema uses the line on her political counterparts, she can't convince anyone to join her on the Ironman start line.
"I can't get a single member of Congress to join me. And I'm trying so hard," she laughed. "I show them the photos and show them how fun it is and how exciting it is to do something meaningful for veterans wounded in battle."
Her Kona jaunt raised $35,000 for the Wounded Warrior Program. Which is why when asked if she'd complete a third Ironman, Sinema said, "You know my staff will probably not be happy to hear me say this but, I'm going to keep doing it. It's just so fun!"
