The reason Mike Biarnesen is smiling isn’t because of his recent finish at the Boston Marathon (3:59) or his cool looking new T-Dot hat, though were sure that’s part of it.

The athletes that know and train with Mike know that he normally has a smile on his face.  He definitely has a lot to smile about.

In a small way Mike is one of the reasons T-Dot exists and makes him a perfect candidate for our first Athlete of the Month.  I met Mike at the beginning of my journey to the Ironman.  He was always there with advice, support, words of encouragement and, of course, a smile on his face, no matter what was happening to him at the time.

Mike’s journey to the Ironman is one of legend.  In his first attempt, Mike broke his hip in a warm up marathon but didn’t realize he was injured until after he finished. He missed the inaugural Ironman Wisconsin.  

In his second attempt, Mike had a stroke while swimming.  The doctor told him he should stop doing triathlon.  Mike was side lined for a while.  Instead of feeling down or going into a funk, he shifted his focus to supporting his friends who were training for various races,.  He was all over the racecourse cheering on athletes as they raced toward the finish in Madison.  

By his third attempt, the tri-gods had one more trick to play on Mike.  Only weeks before Madison, Mike wiped on his bike, cracked his skull and fractured his collarbone.  The love and support that Mike had spent three years giving out came back to him in droves as he gutted it out and swam to the shores of Lake Mendota, fractured collarbone and all.  A short 11:41:42 hours later Mike Biarnesen was an Ironman.

Mike’s advice to other athlete’s facing hardship. “Take things one day at a time.  If you think too much and try to project where a given situation will lead, you'll drive yourself crazy. Just like running an Ironman, planning is great, but when you're on the course, you need to take what you have and adjust.”

Before he ever set foot in the water, his spirit, focus and determination made him a solid man made of a metal much stronger than iron and an inspiration to those around him.

If you're ever on a group run or ride near Gurnee, Illinois (Mike's hometown) ask about the legend of Mike Biarnesen and it will sure to bring up a smile and a story from someone who has been touched by Mike's indomitable spirit and love of our sport.

Mike sums up his love of the sport this way. “Triathlon is a community - great friends, supporters, competitors, volunteers.  It is incredible - where else do you find people who don't know each other who can spend hours sharing - experiences, lessons, failures, support and advice.”


Sundog Eyewear™ Recognizes T-Dot Athlete of the Month:
Sundog Eyewear™ recognizes and supports the efforts of athletes like Mike who are constantly striving to support the growth of their sport.  Because Mike was selected as our Athlete of the Month, he will receive a pair of Sundog sunglasses and custom T-Dot logoed case, compliments of Sundog Eyewear™.  Sundog Eyewear provides genuine performance sunglasses worn by top athletes like world champion Melanie McQuaid.  Sundog Eyewear is the official sunglasses of the Accenture Chicago Triathlon, official eyewear of Ironman UK and Ironman 70.3 for 2007, the recommended eyewear of the British Triathlon.

Recognize a T-Dot Athlete:
Each month we will feature an athlete who exemplifies the sport of triathlon - not just people who are fast, but people who are actively helping to grow the sport either through their actions, charity or other accomplishments.

If you know someone who you would like to nominate, let us know!

To nominate someone for Athlete of the Month, click This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it