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Photo: JessaKae Photography
By Amy Donaldson, Deseret News
LEHI — James Lawrence had a simple hope he offered the world by accomplishing a seemingly impossible task.
The man known as the Iron Cowboy set a world record by completing 50 Ironman triathlon courses in each of the 50 states in 50 consecutive days.
“My goal wasn’t to inspire,” he said during a short break before he ran the final three miles of his last marathon at Thanksgiving point Saturday. “It was to empower. The difference to me is that empowering is active. I want people to stand up and do something — both in action and in the form of donations.”
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Above: Oklahomans finish the marathon with the Iron Cowboy just after 2:00 am on Wednesday morning, June 17. Pictured left to right are: Ewoud Hulsewe, Kathryn Bray, Kyle Glass, Sarah Bell, James Lawrence, A.C. Cox, Mark Humphreys, Mike Sullivan and Steven Ray Treaster.
Alongside The Iron Cowboy: Oklahomans Support
World Record Athlete's Journey
50 Iron Distance Triathlons in 50 Days in 50 States
By Mike Sullivan, Oklahoma City (June 18, 2015)
James Lawrence of Lindon, UT is in the midst of doing 50 iron distance triathlons in 50 states in 50 days. Yes, you read that correctly. No, not sprints, and no, you can’t ask how long an iron distance race is. Okay, maybe this once. An iron distance triathlon consists 2.4 miles of swimming, followed by 112 miles on the bike, followed by 26.2 miles of running. James plans to do it 50 times consecutively.
Yes, I hear you. “It can’t be done,” you say. I said the same thing. I didn’t get excited when my sister-in-law and my brother told me about it. What number is Oklahoma I wanted to know? Eleven. "Oh, he’ll never get this far," I thought. But get here he did. Complete it he did. Then off to Dallas, TX, for number 12.
I asked him, “So, James, do you prefer Iron or Mr. Cowboy?”
He just grinned, "James is fine."
My hope was to run the marathon with him. No, I’m not in marathon shape. But for heaven’s sake, he’s doing 50 iron distance races. What’s one measly marathon?
We were off on a quick two miler before the 5K with Oklahoma City runners. There were four of us in that “warm up” group, including the state ambassador for the day, Sarah Bell, an iron-distance athlete from OKC who had also completed the 112-mile bike earlier in the day.
On the way back from our little 2-mile excursion, I said the first of two phrases I would later regret. After helping James pull his cotton t-shirt over his head, I told him I’d be glad to hold on to it until we got back.
“It’s already pretty nasty,” he said.
I responded, “No problem, I’m glad to mule whatever you need.” James’s eyes lit up. The word “mule” indicated someone who knew what it was to pace for someone else. Little did he know I had no clue what was involved. (I was just trying to show off my runner cred).
Above: Oklahomans show up to run a 5K with James Lawrence as part of his 26.2 mile leg.
Immediately he pulled off the hydration belt he was wearing and handed it to me. Shortly after, he explained that I needed to hand him something to drink every 10 minutes. My OCD nature beamed. No problem! I didn’t need to set a timer, you’ll get a bottle every 600 seconds - guaranteed.
We easily completed the two miles, then the 5K with the community, and went out for another loop to kill time until local legend Rocky Chen could get there to work on James on the massage table.
On this loop I asked him about an event I read about in the Las Vegas paper. The story was that he won a contest when he was 19 sitting on a ferris wheel longer than anyone else. James stayed aboard 10 days, getting off twice a day for 10 minutes to eat and use the bathroom. “Where’d you hear about that?” he asked.
"It was in a Las Vegas Newspaper article about you."
“Where’d they hear about it?”
"The reporter sat down with you before you left Nevada to head to Flagstaff, AZ."
“I do not remember that conversation.”
Totally understandable, James.
James was apologetic about having to stop to get worked on. “It’s a long haul,” I said. “Your race is not just tonight, you have to take care of yourself.”
“I know, I just don’t want to be out here all night,” he said.
“Don’t worry, we’re here for you. We’ll hang out as long as it takes.” There it was, the second phrase of the night I’d live to regret.
When Rocky began to work on James, we had about 8.5 miles under our belt. If you’ve ever been on his table, you’ll understand … you don’t want to get up. It must have been two hours when Rocky finished up with James. “I didn’t want to get up … it was great,” James said as we departed.
Above: Oklahomans ride the 112-mile bike leg alongside the Iron Cowboy.
Pictured left to right are: Brandon Jackson (behind), James Lawrence, Anthony Hilbers, Sarah Bell, Rian Smoak, and Steve Schlegel.
It was during this long break that I started fighting the urge to call it a night. My bed was calling (I turn into a pumpkin at 9:00 pm and it was quickly approaching 10:00 pm). There’s no way he’ll remember my promises when this journey ends. My mind was really fighting back on this deal.
The plan was to do the run course for the Redman Triathlon, a 6.55-mile loop, until the marathon was complete. But one mile in, James asked Sarah if there was any way we could just do one out and back to complete the distance.
"Great", I thought. "There goes my chance to bail." I was already feeling the effects of not really being trained up, but I had the hydration and the food. After all, I was the mule for the Iron Cowboy. I couldn’t bail… I’d hang till the end.
We discussed and debated the best way to maximize this loop so James would have just a little left to do once we arrived back at his RV. Knowing he could always run a short out and back to complete the 26.2, James insisted “I’d rather have a half mile left than go over the mileage.” At this point in the night, the group was down to about a dozen folks. Mark Humphreys was also in the group. He had started the day with James on the swim. He came out to join in the 5K, but dinner plans got in the way. He left and returned during James’s bodywork down time with Rocky.
The group decided the best place to turn around was a water fountain a little over seven miles out. This would give everyone the opportunity to fill their bottles for the return trip and would leave approximately three miles for the final loop.
The problem for me is this water fountain is three blocks from my house. Talk about temptation... I could turn away here, hand off the mule duties to someone else and be in bed before midnight. Oh, how tempting it was, but c’mon ...really? James has been at it since 8:00 this morning and I’m gonna bail now? Yes. No. Yes. No. Back and forth my brain went.
His wingmen showed up on bikes and asked if there was anything he needed. James replied, “How ‘bout a Dr. Pepper?” Always the helpful bunch, the Okies in the group began explaining where they could get that DP for James at midnight on a Tuesday. Off they went.
It was at this point on the return trip across the dam that I really started to struggle. I would walk a bit then run to catch back up, ever mindful of the 10-minute status for hydration. The group decided to do a short little out and back to add a little distance to the loop. I handed James a drink and headed to the final water fountain to fill his bottles back up. I’d get a quick rest while they did a quick out and back.
Above: Oklahoma triathlete and Oklahoma Iron Cowboy Ambassador Sarah Bell with The Iron Cowboy James Lawrence after completing the marathon leg and the Oklahoma iron distance.
It was there, sitting on a bench by that water fountain that I finally succumbed to my fatigue. I was so grateful that the group was still 10 strong and I could hand off James’ water bottles to someone else. They’d do the inlets along the lake, and I’d stay on the bike path and walk/run. I could stay near the group that way, but shorten the distance. I was only able to manage a long walk, short shuffle-jog for the final three miles of my night.
I hung around while the crew finished up the 26.2 with James. I had mixed feelings: I was proud to have been a witness to history and play a small, quiet part, but I was disappointed not to have gone the full distance. I took respite in the fact that on this night, the Oklahoma Standard was on full display and there were plenty of folks to pick up the challenge and support the Iron Cowboy. I tell myself that if it had only been a couple of us, I would have pushed through. I’ll never know, but I was so relieved there were so many great Oklahomans out there.
He came across the finish line between two red, white and blue fountain fireworks hearing the cheers of the handful folks gathered at the finish. He paused a few minutes to say thanks and take the obligatory photos. As he said goodbye, he shook every hand in the group. When he got to Sarah, his chaperone for the day, he embraced her. He gave her a big hug, showing his appreciation for all she had given to help his day.
He turned to me; I stuck out my hand and told him I was sorry I wasn’t able to hang with him. He ignored my hand and gave me a quick hug (the kind you see professional athletes give each other at the end of a hard fought contest).
“You did great, Mike. Thank you.,” he said.
It was in that moment that my pride soared, and I truly understood why if anyone could accomplish this daunting challenge, it’s James Lawrence. You see, no one accomplishes anything great without the help of others. The bigger the challenge, the more people you need and the more you need people. James draws you in with his grit and determination, but he takes the time to make you feel special. It’s why there will be a cast of thousands to join him and support him on his journey.
James Lawrence tested his mind and body beyond what anyone thought was possible, and welcomed the entire United States to join him and his family as he raced across the country. Read about James' purpose and how you can get behind The Iron Cowboy's mission here: www.ironcowboy.co
Related Articles:
The Iron Cowboy: 50 in 50 in 50
By Zac Layton, USA Triathlon
Lindon Man Prepares to Run 50 Full Ironman Distance in 50 Days, 50 States
By Nicole Vowell, Deseret News
Jaybird Athlete Iron Cowboy to Run 50 Ironman Races in 50 Days
Globe Newswire
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