Mill Creek Running & Multi-Sport Club

I have always wanted a son. My wife, Kellie, has blessed me with only one child, Isabella. My daughter means the world to me, but she’s no boy!!

Kellie always says not to worry because every year during the months of November through February my family grows by 30 plus boys that are on my wrestling team. I try to coach them and teach them about hard work, dedication, commitment, etc…basically life skills through sport. They are my sons for a few months and I would protect them and do anything for them even after they leave my program. I hope they know that.

This weekend, one of my former “sons” will be attempting his first Ironman. He will be doing Ironman Couer d’Alene in Idaho. Conner Martin is one of the first people to introduce me to the Ironman. He came to my classroom and told me about some lady who was crushing the Kona world championships and ended up with a flat tire. The lady lost the lead and had trouble changing her tire. She eventually got her tire fixed and was still able to come back and win the entire race. That lady was Chrissie Wellington who has eventually won every ironman race she has competed in. I remember looking that race up on youtube and watching it and just thinking that this is the craziest thing I have ever seen. The race was crazy!!!

Conner then told me of his idea of doing a triathlon for his senior project. I told him to do it. He tried to get me to do it to. Due to school rules he was not able to do a triathlon because of the swim portion and liability reasons. He then decided to do a duathlon that featured a run/bike/run. He asked me to do it with him. I said sure. I had been bike riding for almost a year and figured I could do this.

Conner ended up beating me by 10 minutes despite me riding faster then him. He crushed me on the run. It was my first race ever and I was hooked. We had agreed to do an Ironman together some day. I began to do marathons and he continued to pursue the idea of the ironman. In 2009 he did a half ironman and did ok despite not really training for it. Last year, 2011, Conner took the first step and signed up for IMCDA and was preparing for it when bad news happened. Conner had suffered a seizure and collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital and they found that he had bleeding in his brain. I remember getting a phone call and was in a panic. I rushed to see him in the hospital and he was in great spirits, but was upset because the ironman was coming up soon and he was afraid he could not do the event. (a wrestlers mentality)

Conner eventually had to have brain surgery to remove the blood and fix the damage. It was a scary time for me because I was worried I would lose a former wrestler of mine who I had spent a lot of time with while trying to keep him moving in the right direction. Conner eventually began getting better while being placed on restriction of no exercise. Conner would call me and tell me how hard it was and that is was killing him not to work out. He was eventually cleared to exercise again and giving a clean bill of health.

He signed back up for IMCDA and will be doing the race on June 24th, this weekend. He has survived bleeding in the brain and surgery!!! He is about to fulfill his dream of becoming an Ironman!!! This is just over a year from having full scale brain surgery! WOW!!!!

I wish I could be there to catch him at the finish line, but I will be out of town. I will be watching my phone for updates and tracking bib #883!!!

Conner, you are an amazing kid and an inspiration! I wish we could be doing this ironman together, but I know there will be a time will come. Maybe Kona someday!!! You will crush it and you will hear them say, “Conner Martin, You Are An Ironman!!!”

I might add that Conner did a half ironman before me and that I crushed his time when I did my only triathlon to date, Lake Stevens.

I have advised Conner that I am glad that he is doing his ironman first so then I have a target time to beat when I do Ironman Canada in August!! I have to get him back for the time he beat me in the only race we have done together. (Wrestler mentality)

I am proud of you Conner!!! You rock and CRUSH IT!!!

I am finding that I am surrounded by amazing people both in my family and friends. They continue to inspire me and give me motivation. My training is moving in the right direction and I can’t believe it is almost here. August 26th is coming and I can’t wait!!! My school year is almost over and I look forward to becoming a full time triathlete for the summer. Kellie would like to add also a full time house maid.

I am still looking for donations to help fight breast cancer. Please donate!! Any amount is welcome!

http://donate.breastcancermarathon.com/2013Marathon/InHonorOfKellieAnaya

I would also like to take a moment and wish another wrestler of mine luck. Sam Hering will be doing his second marathon soon too. He will be running the Seattle Rock n Roll marathon this weekend!!! He will do great and finish! I was there for his first one last year just before he graduated from high school. He is an amazing kid too! Man…I am a lucky person to have been blessed by so many wrestlers who have gone on to do great things!!!!

Life is awesome!!!

Gustavo Anaya

Future 2012 Ironman Canada Finisher