Airman embodies 'RUfit?' lifestyle, dominates IRONMAN

by Senior Airman Michael Battles
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

2/20/2015 - INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey  -- For service members, physical fitness is a key component to maintaining combat readiness. But for one Incirlik Airman, staying physically fit is about more than just readiness. It's a lifestyle, and every workout is an opportunity to test his physical endurance at a maximum level.

Col. Andrew Meadows, 39th Medical Group commander, competed alongside 2,000 international competitors during the 2014 IRONMAN competition in Busselton, Australia in early December.

An IRONMAN competition is a triathlon that consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 26.2-mile run and 112-mile bike ride, which equals an overall 140.6-mile challenge. Meadows completed the IRONMAN race in 11 hours and 58 minutes.

"There really is no better test of your fitness than an IRONMAN," Meadows said.

According to Meadows the reason for competing in Australia was the result of a deployment.

"Essentially, when I finished my last deployment and came here I was pretty fit as many people are when they finish a deployment," Meadows said. "I just didn't really want that fitness to go to waste, so I kept the training up."

In preparation for his IRONMAN debut, Meadows trained 18 to 20 hours a week.

"On the weekends I would do 6-hour bike rides and 2 to 3-hour runs," he said. "The majority of the base population has probably seen me doing laps on the bike or running around the flight line."

Meadows also explained that he has done triathlons and other competitions in the past, but this was the most in-depth.

"This was by far the most challenging, organized and formalized event that I've ever competed in," the triathlete said.

When asked what he learned from his first IRONMAN competition, Meadows said, "It taught me there are many ways to be fit. That a person shouldn't limit themselves to one thing, but branch out."

Meadows also offered advice for individuals that might be interested in competing or getting involved in their first IRONMAN race.

"Speak to someone who is knowledgeable first," Meadows said. "I think it's very easy to over train when it's your first time, so get the guidance early. There are some great resources online, but there is also several people right here on base that can help."

With one IRONMAN complete, Meadows now sets his sights on future bragging rights by researching upcoming competitions.