Wednesday, Sep. 01, 2010

For these two, Ironman led to love

While many athletes would not consider any approach to an Ironman triathlon as laid back, Melissa Davidian and Ian Twohig would not have run Ironman Switzerland any other way.

After marrying in Rome last New Year's Eve, the couple celebrated their union by running the triathlon as a couple in Zurich on July 25.

A triathlon is a three-sport event consisting of swimming, biking and running. And while triathlons cover a variety of distances, the Ironman is the ultimate. The swim is 2.4 miles; the bike race is 112 miles and the foot race is a marathon, 26.2 miles.

Davidian and Twohig hatched their plan to compete in Ironman Switzerland a year ago, along with 15 training buddies. The group dwindled down to only husband and wife, but they made the best of it.

"Let's don't talk about our finishing times," Davidian said. "We did it for fun and with a goal of just completing it."

The pair crossed the finish line together in 11 hours, 45 minutes.

A heat wave had warmed the water temperature to nearly 74 degrees in Lake Zurich, site of the swim portion of the race, yet it was just cool enough to allow the competitors to wear wetsuits.

"You want to wear a wetsuit if at all possible because it helps your buoyancy in the water," Twohig said.

Weather can be an athlete's worst enemy, and in an endurance sport like an Ironman triathlon, worrying about outside conditions is just one more mental stress athletes endure.

"Completing an Ironman is really more mental than physical," Twohig said.

"And where the weather is concerned, you have to take race day for what it is - and do the best you can," Davidian said.

Davidian, 36, is dentist who manages her own practice in North Raleigh. Ironman Switzerland was her fourth Ironman triathlon. Twohig, 41, is a human resources executive with Lenovo and has run nine Ironman competitions.

Both have run many other races in different events, and spend many hours training and competing. So it makes sense that the two would meet during a triathlon.

"We met a year and a half ago at the Beaverdam Tri (in Wake Forest), and after the race we did some extra running because we were both training for the Lake Placid Ironman," Twohig said. "I recognized her because we had the same coach, in addition to training for the same race."

A first date immediately after the Beaverdam race eventually led to the altar.

And like a good luck charm, Twohig's best-ever Ironman finish, 10 hours, 18 minutes, was at that Lake Placid triathlon, the first Ironman he and Davidian shared.

Davidian approaches races as if they were journeys. She packs the pockets in her jersey for any need she might have while swimming, biking and running for roughly 10 hours.

She recites her list:

"I pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cheese-pretzel sandwiches, which are awesome, candy orange slices, gummy bears, salt and vinegar potato chips in case I need something salty," she said. "I also pack my cell phone. My pockets just bulge out all over."

Twohig, who compares his wife to a Sherpa, travels light.

"I usually do an entire race on cola, sports drink and water. In that order," he said.

Twohig is the analytical, more hardcore triathlete. Davidian likes to race for fun.

"Before I met Melissa, all I did was work and train," Twohig said. "I worked 60 hours a week and trained 30 hours. Training was my obsession."

Melissa, who was a cheerleader in high school and had run a couple marathons, tried a half Ironman triathlon 10 years ago, at a friend's encouragement.

"I like setting goals and attaining them," she said. "For me, racing is about fun. I do want to race better at times, but I don't want to be so hardcore that it takes the fun away."

Today, Twohig is more at ease. Even though he has cut his training time down by two-thirds, he has logged his fastest races since he met and married Davidian.

"I realize there's more to life than working and training all the time," he said.

Davidian has become more disciplined.

"Ian is very motivational, and I don't want to disappoint him," she said.

What does the future hold for this active twosome?

Davidian wants to start a family and doesn't see another Ironman in her future. She pictures herself in coming years jogging or biking on local trails while pushing or pulling a stroller.

Twohig wants to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, which would be his 10th Ironman. After that, he'll be happy to cut back. As racing becomes more popular, it is also becoming more competitive, and he's finding it harder to make it into races that require a qualifying time.

One thing is certain, they will continue to be athletic and involved in the local sports community.

"It's all about stretching yourself, extending your borders, getting out of your comfort zone, meeting people and making new friends," Davidian said. "It's all positive."

Through swimming, biking and running, Davidian and Twohig achieved their happily ever after.

And that's their best finish yet.