Student Speak

Spring 2007

Name: Michael Dole
Year/Major: Senior, pre-med/biology, Honors College
Hometown: Greenville

Tell us about your senior thesis. For my thesis, I wanted to get away from biology and explore exercise science. I am observing the effects of training and competing in an ultra-endurance event. To do that, I will compete in an Ironman competition in Arizona on April 15.

The Ironman competition challenges participants to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles. What made you decide to do this? I was a competitive swimmer for 13 years, and I've been running triathlons since my sophomore year. I was born with a lung condition that reduces lung capacity and lowers stamina and endurance. I've never let it limit what I do, so I'm doing all of this to prove that anything is possible.

What is your training schedule? Six days a week, I do two workouts a day. So, I train for about 15-20 hours a week. I usually run and swim at the Strom. One time, I biked all the way to Lugoff, and I saw lots of nature and deer along the way.

What has been the hardest part about training? It's mentally challenging. I spend several hours training by myself. It gives me time to think about life. I think the easiest part is the race itself.

How does all that training affect your studies? I took extra classes last semester, so I would have more time to train. This semester I'm only taking three classes.

How much money has it cost you? It costs $500 to enter the Ironman Arizona competition. I had to pay for my bike, the cost to ship it to Arizona, and some other things, such as running shoes. I received a $1,000 grant from USC for the honors thesis to help cover some expenses, but my goal is to raise $10,000 for the American Lung Association.

How do you plan to raise the money? I held a 3.5-mile Trail Run March 31 at Sesquicentennial State Park. People can access my Web page at Januscharitychallenge.com to make a donation.

--Sharnequa Steed

3/07