11/05/09 - 09:55 PM
Ford Ironman Florida, an event where the best of the best triathletes compete every November in Panama City Beach.
Some athletes are considered pros, and others do it for the challenge.
That’s the case for Senior Chief Petty Officer Michael Wiser.
On Saturday, Senior Chief Wiser, who works for the Navy Experimental Diving Unit in Panama City, will be competing in his second Ford Ironman Florida, four years after his first appearance in the event.
“I’m the type of person that I’m never satisfied with how I do. I’ve done this race before. I remember the swim being longer than I thought it would be. The bike I felt pretty good on. The run, I just kind of wasn’t prepared,” said SCPO Wiser.
This time around, being prepared is part of Senior Chief Wiser’s goal, and the Navy allows him to stay in tip-top shape.
“It’s required in our work to be fit, to be physically fit. They afford us time in the morning to exercise,” said SCPO Wiser.
Senior Chief Wiser can’t focus all of his time on Ironman training; he has a very important job to do with the Navy Experimental Diving Unit.
“Basically, I’m a human test subject. What we do, is testing of equipment and diving procedures that are used throughout the Navy and really, all of the US Military when it comes to diving. I act as a watch stander and also as a test subject for protocols that are used to test equipment,” SCPO Wiser stated.
Some might ask what this Navy diver is competing in the Ironman Florida for, and Wiser says he has been inspired by reading stories and journal entries from his ancestors who Mormon pioneers.
“Reading their stories and the struggles they had, the things they had to endure, coming west to settle really inspired me. I read about them and I think about them. When I am out training and things get a little hard, I think, I have it so easy compared to them. That actually inspires me to keep moving and move on,” said SCPO Wiser.
In 2005, Senior Chief Wiser completed the Ironman triathlon in just over 13 hours, this year’s goal is set on finishing under ten hours.
“My goal is to finish in the daylight before I need to put on one of those little glow stick things around your neck,” said SCPO Wiser.
A Navy diver one day, and a triathlete the next, Senior Chief Wiser is a true Ironman.
The 2009 Ford Ironman Florida Begins on November 7th at 6:50 cdt in front of the Boardwalk Beach Resort.