DENVER – Former University of Denver men's lacrosse student-athletes Colton Jackson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Max Begoon (New Canaan, Conn.) completed their first Ironman Triathlons in Panama City Beach, Fla., on November 7.
The Denver duo completed the race in November after having their previous four postponed due to the COVID pandemic. Jackson and Begoon had previously registered for an Ironman in July in Santa Rosa, Calf., in late July in Lake Placid, N.Y., in September in Saint George, Utah and in October in Waco, Texas.
For Jackson, this opportunity was a dream come true.
"I remember as a young kid hearing about the Ironman race and thinking about how incredible it would be to do it one day. It seemed like a very distant or bucket list dream at the time," Jackson said. "I went years without thinking about it until my roommate Max brought up the idea last September. We thought it was the perfect time in our lives because we were young and still in shape from college lacrosse."
Begoon has never been one to just sit around, and following graduation from the University of Denver, he needed something to look forward to. The Ironman gave him something that he could continue to chip away at on a daily basis in his training.
"The first few months were painful and quite shocking on the body," Begoon said. "Your body isn't used to the mileage and the discomfort. Once you slowly adjust there are little battles with injuries and strains. Race day for me was about putting countless hours towards something tangible."
To be classified as an Ironman, competitors must complete the race in under 17 hours. Jackson finished the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run in under 12 hours and Begoon crossed the finish line in 13 hours.
The mental approach for pushing the body to the limit is something that really interested Jackson when the two former Pioneers put a plan together to make this a reality.
"Crossing the finish line is a culmination of feelings," Jackson said. "Not only do you feel a sense of accomplishment from competing 140.6 miles, but you feel the reward of a full year of training paying off. I was grateful for the opportunity and for a healthy body. Finally, you have a sense of relief. It's an intimidating feat and to finish successfully without injury or failure is comforting."
In addition to the physical accomplishment, the two roommates used the race as an opportunity to raise $20,000 for the charitable organization One Summit. One Summit pairs Navy Seals (past and present) with pediatric cancer patients and their families. They teach each child lessons of resilience and teamwork through group activities; with the hope that each "little warrior" can apply these lessons to their toughest battles with cancer.
Approaching a week after completing their first Ironman, neither is ready to get right back in line and ride the physical and emotional roller coaster again, but both haven't closed the door on the possibility of training again in the future.
"As of right now, there are no plans to do another one," Jackson said. "The race went so well by my expectations that I currently don't feel the need to do another one. However, advice from others is that these races become addicting, so I guess we'll just have to see."
"I would be surprised if I don't find myself at the starting line at some point again in the future," Begoon said. "My mindset now is I will not initiate doing another one, but if a friend has aspirations to do one ,and wants someone to train alongside, I will jump back on the saddle and join them for the journey as long as my body is able to hold up and my time permits."
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