Andrew Kingsley, 41, competed in his first sanctioned Ironman Triathlon this summer. Mr. Kingsley travelled to New York’s Adirondack Mountains July 20 to participate in Lake Placid’s swim, cycle and run Ironman event.

He said crossing the finish line was horrible and exhilarating all at the same time.

“There was a point during the transition from cycling to running where my wife and son looked at me and I admit I didn’t look very good,” Mr. Kingsley said. “It was on my mind to call it a day but I pushed through and started the marathon.”

After swimming 3.8 km around Mirror Lake, Mr. Kingsley peddled 180 km around the Sentinel Range Wilderness and through the villages of Jay and Wilmington before running 42 km through Lake Placid. In front of his family, he finished his trek at the Regal Oval, site of the 1980 Winter Olympic Speed Skating event, at the 16:50:43 mark.

Mr. Kingsley developed the triathlon bug honestly. His grandfather, the late Bruce Craft, started training for and competing in triathlons in his early 50s as a way to get back into shape. Mr. Craft passed away this summer at the age of 91 and attributed his excellent health later in life to triathlons and his training for them.

Battle of the Bulge

The local farmer admitted he was feeling the effects of the middle aged spread about four years ago when he had his wife sign him up for a Kingston triathlon.

“Then I realized I’m going to have to train for this,” he said with a laugh.

He started clocking in at the Prince Edward Fitness and Aquatic Centre each day at 6 a.m. Then, using a borrowed Norco bike his grandfather used in the same race back in 1987, he took part in his K-Town Triathlon event.

Since that day, he’s been participating in a few short course triathlons a year, building up to Ironman distance.

“I’m really looking forward to my next Ironman, but it won’t be for a couple of years. I told my son Carter he’s going to be running it with me.”

Sounds like the Kingsleys are keeping up a family tradition.