Triathlon is my solution
By John Crawford, April, 2006
Although I had been active and fit all my life, at age 45 my health took a sudden turn for the worse. I began having
regular episodes of massive chest pain from Angina (December 1996). Doctors feared that a fatal heart attack
was near and the situation was critical. In June 1997, I was hospitalized for the problem. An angiogram reveled
100% blocked of one Artery and 80% blockage on another. The Doctor indicated that maybe surgery can help,
but there was also a good chance it would not.
On October 1, 1997 they performed a double bi-pass surgery on my heart. The surgery was successful. I was
determined to make the better of my second chance at living a healthy live style. A fitness coach from the cardio
ward of the hospital told me I needed to find a permanent solution to long term fitness. A few years later, Triathlon
became that solution.
In 1998, I attended IMC for the 1st time as a VIP for the title sponsor Subaru. I was inspired by the athletes. I
imagined myself competing some day, but felt that was an impossible dream considering my history of heart
disease.
In May 2001, I did my first Sprint Duathlon in Waterloo. The distance was Run 3 km, bike 24 km 3 km. It took me 1
hour 54 minutes. I finished 656th of 676. I was amazed and perplexed that I could finish a race considering my
history. I became curious on what future possibilities might be.
I continued to train and my endurance continued to grow, despite having to face the embarrassment of often
being the last finisher at many triathlons.
By June 2002, I completed the Olympic Distance Triathlon, 4 hours 5 minutes. By September 2003, I completed
the Half Ironman in 7 hours 22 minutes. In less than 6 years, I had gone from being crippled with massive heart
problems and open heart surgery to completing the Half Ironman. My coach at the time (Lisa Bentley) told me she
believed that the Ironman distance was also a possibility for me, if I was willing to do the work.
I then decided to retire from Subaru in January 2004 and train full time for the Ironman. In July 2004, I finished my
first Ironman in Lake Placid in 16 hours 35 minutes. In August 2005 I completed Ironman Canada in 16 hours 45
minutes. To my knowledge, I am the only person in the world to have completed the Ironman after having
recovered from bi-pass surgery. I plan to race IMC again this year.
Today I am strong, happy and healthy. My near death encounter was a life changing experience. Triathlon is my
solution to achieving the permanent habits required to live a healthy balanced lifestyle.