Roswell Resident Competes, Finishes Well in Ironman

Roswell resident Mike Buteau has never been one to turn down a challenge. In fact, he welcomes them - especially .

His most recent challenge in early November took him south to compete in the Ironman Florida, which consists of a 2.4-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, a 112-mile bike ride, followed by a full 26.2 marathon.

"It was my first Ironman," Buteau told Roswell Patch. "I had run four marathons, completed four Olympic-distance triathlons and one half-Ironman over the past two years leading up to this race."

To prepare for the race Buteau spent 20-30 hours per week training, some of which included up to six hours on his bike at one time.

"While travelling for work, I managed to find odd times and places to get in workouts," he said. "I swam at YMCAs in Northern California, met up with a triathlon club in Monterrey, California for a frigid swim in the Pacific Ocean. I brought my wetsuit and bike with me on a trip to Sea Island. I swam laps in the pool at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin, ran many miles through New York's Central Park and got lost while running on rural roads at night in Maine."

When he was home, he utilized some of Roswell's uniqueness to further his training.

"Most of my runs are done on the shaded running paths along Riverside Drive," he said. "For shorter bike rides miles I often used the marked 'Bike Roswell' routes through town. There's a good mix of flat sections, with uphill and downhill sections to provide a great workout without ever having to stray too far from home."

Buteau also points out that in addition a very active athletic and biking community in Roswell, the city is not far from one of the country's best triathlon stores, All3Sports, in Sandy Springs.

"If I ever needed new swim goggles, electrolyte drinks or a quick bike tune-up I could just ride my bike over to All3. It was very convenient," he said.

Biking in the Century Ride on Ga. 400 in July also helped Buteau prepare for the challenging race.

"That ride, with about 2,800-feet of elevation gain, ranks as one of the most difficult Century rides in the Southeast," he said. "As a bonus, it begins at exit 7 on Holcomb Bridge Road, less than three miles from my home."

Swimming practice was done at Dynamo Swim Club in Chamblee, where he said there are several swimmers who rank as some of the fastest amateur Ironman swimmers in the world.

After months of preparation, Buteau and his wife, Emily, left their two children, Alicia, 8, and Kyle, 11, at home with her parents and headed to Panama City Beach, Florida for the race Nov. 5.

Nearly 10 and a half hours later, Buteau finished the race in 10:27:58, ranking 179 overall out of 2,292 competitors and 27 out of 442 men in the 40-44 age group.

His time was 36 minutes shy of qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

"I guess that gives me a new goal to go after one day," he said.

He is grateful for a wife and children who allow him to chase goals and said the hardest part of preparing was managing time between training, family and work.

"It was a very difficult balancing act, to say the least," Buteau said. "I was grateful to have the support of my wife and children while chasing what is ultimately a very selfish goal. As a married father, it would have been impossible achieve the goal without their support. By setting a difficult goal and dedicating myself to achieving it, I hope I might have shown my kids that, as the saying goes, anything is possible."

Buteau said he was also motivated by his mother, who died in September. Through his participation in athletic events, he has raised money to create a memorial in her honor.

He will continue his athletic pursuits and fundraising efforts by competing in his first Boston Marathon in April.