Ian Martin
- Born in Portland, Oregon in 1969
- Married to Sheri Martin for 14 wonderful years
- Two children Paige (10) and Cole (6)
- Has lived in the Pacific Northwest for his entire life
Hobbies Include
- Golfing
- Hiking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Skiing
- And most recently Swimming, Biking and Running as well as Triathlons
Experiences:
I have done several things in my life from skiing to skydiving, but none have been more rewarding than raising my two children and my relationship with my wife, Sheri.
How I got into Multi-Sport Racing (Triathlon):
Click To View a video interview
For most of my life I had been an out-of-shape avid golfer (overweight golfer that is). I, like most, knew that I was not in the best of health. But like so many people, I always said to myself tomorrows the day I’m going to start getting in shape and like most, tomorrow never came. Sometimes life throws you a second chance and little did I know on September 29th of 2008, at the age of 39, I was about to get mine.
In September of 2008, I had been feeling like I had had the flu and felt somewhat congested. At the same time I also had what I thought was a muscle strain or cramp in my right calf. On the evening of September 29th I felt dizzy and noticed I was having a hard time catching my breath. Several people have always told me to listen to your body and this was one time I was really glad I did and asked my wife to drive me to the hospital. As my wife was driving me to the emergency room and I was struggling to stay conscious, all I could think about were my two young children that I had just left at home crying with a friend. This thought is still clear in my memory and will remain with me forever. After checking into the hospital, where I remained for the next 6-7 days I was seen by several specialists. After going through a battery of tests, I was diagnosed with having a Pulmonary Embolism (PE or Blood Clots In your lungs) that had developed from a clot breaking free in my leg as a result of having a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). The doctors attributed it to inactivity, and said if I hadn’t come into the hospital that evening there was a good chance I could have died in my sleep. I underwent blood thinning therapy for the next 9 months to keep my blood thin while my body could naturally dissolve the clots in my leg and lungs. When I checked into the hospital my weight was at an all time high and I was 6’2 and weighed around 290 lbs.
After going through several months of therapy and receiving a clean bill of health (but still on blood thinners), 10 months later I was downtown in my hometown of Coeur d’Alene watching the 2009 Ford Ironman as I do every year admiring the athletes and their determination. Later that week I bumped into a friend (Greg Gervais) who had qualified for Kona and was one of our area’s top local finishers. He had noticed that I had lost a little weight and heard what had happened. I told him I was running a bit trying to stay healthy and had just finished a 12k race and jokingly said, “Now that I had ran the 12k race, my kids think I’m Superman and want me to do Ironman.” He quickly said without hesitation, “Are you going to do it?” I politely responded, “I wouldn’t even know where to Start!” Needless to say, ten days later I had registered for the 2010 Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene and didn’t even own a bike!
I must say and I mean this with unwavering conviction, that aside from my marriage and the birth of my two children, my journey over the next 10 months to complete the 2009 Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene was THE most rewarding and liberating experience of my life and I couldn’t have done it without the help of my family, friends and supporters from all around the U.S. I will never forget what this opportunity has done for me and what this experience has done for my family, my relationship with my wife, and what a positive influence this opportunity has had on my two young children who have now completed their first Triathlons! More importantly I learned that while completing my journey to a better me, life sometimes gives you an opportunity to help others though your own adventures (as I had been)and that is what makes them all the more fulfilling. What began as an idea one night with a couple friends has turned into just that, an opportunity to help others through adventure. I am a true believer in our youth and that they are our future and am honored to be able to ride in their honor. Every child deserves a chance to be just that…..a child and have a place to do all the great things that kids should do and be offered the opportunity to grow in a positive surrounding like the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County. I hope you help us by supporting this great cause.
Thank you for your support & Ride On!!
Ian Martin – Ironman – Coeur d’Alene Idaho
Accomplishments:
- Father
- Husband
- Business Executive
- Finisher – Black Diamond Olympic Distance Triathlon – 9-27-2009 – 2h: 49m (Two months after starting training!)
- Finisher – Ironman California Oceanside 70.3 – 3-27-2010 – 5h: 48m
- Finisher – St. Anthony’s Olympic Distance Triathlon – 4-25-2010 – 2h: 34m
- Finisher – Onionman Olympic Distance Triathlon 5-30-2010 – 2h: 30m (11th in AG)
- Finisher – Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene 6-27-2010 – 12h: 41m
- Finisher – Coeur d’Alene Olympic Distance Triathlon – 8-7-10 – 2h: 32m (7th in AG)
- Finisher – Various Running Races
