Aviano maintainer turns Ironman

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Colleen Wronek
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (USAFENS) --  One Aviano maintainer has no problem getting ‘fit to fight’ because in his spare time he trains to be an ‘Ironman.’

Master Sgt. Bryant Hafler, 31st Maintenance Squadron, will compete against 1,800 athletes from all over the world for the title of ‘Ironman’ Oct. 15 during the world championship Ironman triathlon in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.

“My goal for the last eight years has been to garner a spot on the starting line in Hawaii,” Sergeant Hafler said.

Sergeant Hafler has realized this goal to compete in the world championship three times, including the Oct. 15 triathlon.

He competes on the Air Force team and spends about 10 - 24 hours a week training. His typical week could include five to seven miles of swimming, 200 to 300 miles of biking and 30 to 50 miles of running. Sergeant Hafler also trains with yoga and weight lifting.

“The discipline and mental focus I’ve learned in the military has enabled me to stick with the insane amount of training these races require,” he said.

The Ironman triathlon takes a typical triathlon to a new level. In this triathlon, triathletes swim in open water for 2.4 miles, cycle for 112 miles and then run a marathon.

“In the beginning of the season, the time and energy demands are reasonable, but as the year progresses, I’m really burning the candle at both ends,” Sergeant Hafler said. “Flexibility is important. Being in the military means that I can’t always plan on getting the time to train, but I’ve found that if it’s important to you, you find the time.”

There are 26 Ironman qualifying events held all over the world with 50,000 people competing to qualify. The qualifying events lead to the world championship held annually in Hawaii.