Job: President of The Hamilton Group, an executive search firm.

Beginning: Hamilton completed his first triathlon in 1989, but it was not until 2001 that he tried his second one. After playing sports in high school and college, including football at Drake University, Hamilton decided he needed something to fuel his competitive spirit.

Level: All-American in the amateur division, which is the top 5 percent in the country.

Goal: To achieve at the highest level he can. He is working towards qualifying for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. His last of nine triathlons this year will be an Ironman in Madison, Wis., a qualifying event.

Motivation: “It’s a stress relief, number one,” Hamilton said. “I do a lot of planning and thinking when I’m out a lot of times by myself running, biking or in the pool. … I come back to the office with a clear mind and a set plan of what I’ve got to do.” He also is goal driven. “It’s a reason to get up and train and not just work out,” he said.

Training routine: 13 to 15 hours of training a week now, but he will step it up to 15 to 20 hours closer to the Ironman. He often gets up at 5 a.m. to work out and sometimes finishes workouts over lunch, with his longest workouts on weekends.

Impact of Hy-Vee Triathlon: Economic driver and a chance to showcase the city. It also will attract new athletes. “People will see what an unbelievable event this is going to be and want to particpate.” he said.

Best advice: “It’s just a matter of saying it,” Hamilton said. “Once you admit to your friends that you’re going to do something, then you have to do it.”

Job: Lawyer and founder of Goodman & Associates P.C.

Beginning: For about 15 years, Goodman put working out by the wayside while he focused on his career. After gaining a significant amount of weight, he decided to start walking. He got up to walking 13 miles a day, and then started circuit training. From there, he worked his way into triathlons.

Level: He has participated in several sprint-distance triathlons, half the distance of Hy-Vee’s event. This will be his first Olympic-distance race. He will also compete in a half Ironman race this year.

Goal: To continue to compete in races as a way to have some measurement of achievement in an effort to stay healthy and fit.

Motivation: As a spectator at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, Goodman said, “I witnessed hundreds of people doing something that seemed impossible, but merely watching them compete made me realize that what seemed impossible is indeed attainable.”

Training routine: 10 to 12 hours of training a week, with the longest workouts on the weekends. Swimming being his weakest leg, he has built up to 7,000 yards a week. He also has a triathlon coach.

Impact of Hy-Vee Triathlon: As president of the Des Moines Triathlon Club, Goodman said, “There is no doubt that Hy-Vee’s commitment to the sport of triathlon has inspired many athletes to join the ranks of triathlon.” Membership in his club has grown to 236.

Best advice: “When most people hear the word ‘Triathlon’ they automatically think of ‘Ironman’ – racing from sunup to sundown,” Goodman said. “But there are many other triathlon race distances. … You just need to pick the right event and prepare for it.”

 

Job: Des Moines police officer

Beginning: Stroope competed in swimming, football and track in high school. His fiancée’s cousin encouraged him to try a triathlon. “When you’re older, you run out of things to do,” he said. “You can work out, but it’s easier to work out when you have a cause.”

Level: This will be his first triathlon. He had to drop out of competing in the Des Moines marathon and Dam to Dam events because of injuries.

Goal: “I’ve been an athlete my whole life,” Stroope said, “so I know I’m not going to win it, but I’m not out there to just finish. I want to see how well I can do.”

Motivation: His fiancée, Christy, has been patient with his goal and encouraged him to complete it. Getting in shape for a July wedding has been an added bonus.

Training routine: Stroope does most of his workouts in the evening before working the night shift. He often alternates between shorter running workouts and two-a-day workouts of biking and swimming that can last up to four hours. Using a workout schedule from beginnertriathlete.com, Stroope spends about two-thirds of his total training time biking to avoid injury. “Being a beginner,” Stroope said, “you’ve got to get to a certain level as opposed to being able to maintain it.”

Impact of Hy-Vee Triathlon: Many people still don’t realize the magnitude of this event, Stroope said, and often look at Drake Relays as the only world-class event in town. “I think they’re really going to be surprised the week leading up to it, how many people show up for this thing,” he said. “It’s going to be awesome.”

Best advice: “Learn how to use your best time-management skills,” he said.