U. alum competes in Ironman

She is not Wonder Woman, but few super heroes could look down upon her accomplishments. Britta Schasberger, a 1992 College graduate, finished second in the women's 18 to 24 years old age group at the Gatorade Ironman Triathlon World Championship competition, held in Kona, Hawaii last month. The Ironman Triathlon is a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bicycle course and a full 26.2 mile marathon run. Schasberger said it is the single hardest endurance event that exists. "It's a great race," Schasberger said. "It's an incredible experience and such an accomplishment just to finish." Schasberger said she initially became interested in triathlons after she met her fiance, Ty Bailey, at a road race. She competed in her first Ironman triathlon that summer and started running regularly with Bailey. In 1991, she competed in Hawaii. She placed 15 out of 30 in her age group. This year, she not only placed second in her age group, but 50 out of 260 women competitors and 560 out of 1360 total entrants. Schasberger said the first Ironman Triathlon was the hardest for her. "It is more important to finish than to think about your time," she said, describing her feelings in 1991. "Whatever your time is, you can improve upon it. This year, it was sort of a goal to go back and do better than I did last year." This year she completed the race in 10 hours and 52 minutes, which is better than the average of between 13 and 15 hours. According to Schasberger, the fastest man finished the race in eight hours. Preparing for the race, Schasberger biked 200-250 miles per week, swam three to four days a week and ran at Franklin Field. "During the summer, I'd get on my bike and just ride," she said. "I'd go out to Valley Forge or Swarthmore and I averaged 50 miles a day for five days." Bailey, who also competes in the Ironman Triathlon, said Schasberger has a future in the sport. "I think she has tremendous potential," he said. "She has only competed for two years and she is already nationally ranked. She has taken great strides and she still has room for improvement." Bailey said training requires between 15 and 20 hours a week and the cost of the sport, including equipment, training, travelling and time off, is at least $10,000 a year. "Anyone who goes to the Ironman makes great sacrifices," he said. "It is a lifestyle adjustment and a year long process." But he said the rewards are worth the time. "It is both recreational and competitive," Bailey said. "The people are tremendous and the sport is very rewarding." For Schasberger, training is a part of her everyday routine. "I teach aerobics which gives me a chance to work out," she said. "And when I was in college, I went to school and worked out, and that's really all I did." Schasberger said she viewed the competition as friendly and supportive of each other and the spectators as helpful, as well. "The townspeople of Kona really support the race," she said. "They are incredible." Schasberger said anyone can compete in the Ironman. "To do any long distance event, you have to want to do it," she said. "Anyone can do it if he or she puts the time into training. I know a woman who is 69 who competes, a below-the-knee amputee who competes and a blind man who competes." Schasberger has already set her goal for next year. "I want to go faster yet again," she said. "I want to win my age group, but in the Ironman you can't make predictions. I have goals I want to meet." Bailey said he thinks Schasberger has a bright future. "I expect to see her in the top 15 next year," he said. "I can realistically see her racing with the pros."