Published: October 02, 2008 11:34 pm      

IRONMAN MARATHONS: More miles than some of your cars

Lockport’s Sam Pasceri keeps on ticking

LOCKPORT — The message at the bottom of Sam Pasceri’s e-mails says it all.

“I refuse to tip-toe through life only to arrive at death safely.”

Having now competed in five grueling “Ironman” competitions, Pasceri not only walks the walk, but he runs, bikes and swims literally hundreds of miles a week.

“A lot of people have heard of the ‘Ironman Triathlon’ but very few know what it actually is or what it takes to get there,” Pasceri said.

“For starters, it’s tooted at the World's toughest one day endurance event. It's also a very expensive sport.”

The experienced Pasceri should know, as he makes plans to compete next week in the World at the Double in Virginia. The life-long Lockportian will be one of nine American competitors and the only person from New York state.

“The Double Iron is exactly that. It’s not two Ironman events in a row. Rather, each discipline is doubled in length,” Pasceri said.

“You have a 4.8 mile swim, a 224-mile bike ride and then two marathons back-to-back for 52.4 miles of running.”

The are no “time outs and the clock never stops,” Pasceri said, adding that competitors have just 36 hours to complete the event. A “normal,” but still quite grueling Ironman consist of a 2.4 mile swim, which is followed by a 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon — 140.6 miles, which must be completed in under 17 hours.

“To gain entry to the ‘Double’ you have to do more than just sign up for it,” Pasceri said.

“You have to have a bit of a race resume — and only after having that reviewed by the race director and passing a physicians’ thorough physical examination can you gain entry.”

Pasceri said training consumes his life. He usually begins preparing nine months before an event.

“Most of my training starts after my kids go to bed. I have a lot of three-to-four-hour runs and a lot of eight-hour bike rides,” Pasceri said.

“I try to start my bike rides no later than 10 p.m., just so I can be home by 6 a.m. to have breakfast and see the kids off to school.

“I have to admit the loss of sleep really wears a person down and is hard on my family,” he said.

“My poor wife, Ginny, goes to bed worried most nights because she’s wondering if I am safe. Not only is she my wife, but my best friend. She’s made more than her share of sacrifices to see that I have the time I need to train and a warm meal when I need it most.”

Ironman events are also somewhat expensive, Pasceri said. Most event run more than $2,000.

“You have your flight to the event, you have to ship your bike there, most hotels require a five night minimum and you can see, this adds up very quickly,” Pasceri said.

“About five months ago I was approached by a long time friend, Ed Wright. I grew up in the same neighborhood that he lives in now. He’s known my family for a long time.

“He just made a career change and is now CFO of ‘As It Is, Inc.,’ which is a Buffalo-based company, and he heard that I was looking for a sponsor to help defray the costs of racing. Ed thought we both had something to offer each other and seemed glad he could help. After a few meetings and just like that I had a major sponsor — www.TrueThinker.com. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am at today.”

Others Pasceri cited for their on-going support are his coach, Doug Bush from www.EnduranceFactor.com and Tom's Pro Bike on Walden Avenue in Lancaster.

Pasceri also thanked his “support crew,” which consists of Ryan DiMillo, Bob Timkey and Chris Ankrum. The three will join Pasceri on his trip to Virginia.

“Somebody asked me what I do after the race. I told them I just want to go back to being a normal father for my kids, Dominic and Sarah, and spend some time with my family,” Pasceri said.