Family adventure

Craig Somerville and Amanda Alexander are a perfect team in a solo sport.

It was 10 years ago when Somerville shared his desire to compete with Alexander in the Subaru Ironman Canada competition, held annually in Penticton.

"Ever since we met he's been talking about triathlons," said Alexander. "On our honeymoon he was like, 'I'm going to do an Ironman,' and I'm like, 'OK.'"

But Somerville - organizer of the annual Prince George Triathlon in July - was persistent and together the couple worked on mastering their techniques in various triathlons before upping their difficulty to compete in half Ironman events.

"I would say how we really balance each other is he has a lot of natural talent in sports and I'm really applied," said Alexander. "I'm the routine, 'How are we going to get this in our week because otherwise it could just slip away and not happen.' He's the one that started with the passion for it and he has a lot of athletic talent."

Alexander said after they completed their fourth half Ironman last year they were looking for a new challenge.

"It was like, OK it's either time to ramp it up or pack it up for a while," said the 42-year-old. "We felt like we were on a good role and the kids were old enough that they could handle accommodating our goal. We thought this was the time."

They registered a year ago for the 30th anniversary of Ironman Canada, set for Aug. 26, and then started to plan out their training schedule and how to include their two daughters, nine-year-old Alicia and six-year-old Isabel, into it.

"When you have really young children you want to put the energy into them and then as they get older you can balance things out," said Alexander. "This has been something that is not only for us as individuals but also time for us to have a dream together, a goal together."

Ironman Canada pushes athletes to complete a 3.8 kilometre swim, 180 km bike ride and a 42.2 km run. Competitors have 17 hours to finish the course with the top level athletes crossing the finish line in about eight hours.

"I think my number one goal is to complete," said Alexander. "I'd love to feel really comfortable when I complete. But for the first one, I think it's just kind of pretty magical to say you've done an Ironman. I have some ballpark figures, maybe in my head but, I think, it's about seeing how your body feels on that particular day."

Alexander said once she finishes the swim portion of the competition she sets her sights on tracking down Somerville.

"We joke back and forth about where we might run into each other on the course and who might overtake who," she said. "You never know. We have done one where we finished at the same time."

The couple's training regime has included morning workouts before the girls get up and up to nine-hour bike rides while Alicia and Isabel are at art class or one of their other activities. When they're competing, the couple are grateful to their many friends and family who have taken the girls under their care.

"What we do - my wife's really good that way - is if we do an activity that's fun for the kids then they're OK with having a baby-sitter so we can bike for three, four or five hours," said Somerville. "If we're doing something all day then we do a treat for them. It's been a positive experience as a family. I think it's brought us closer.

"It's also role modeling for the girls," he added. "It seems sort of selfish that we're doing this at times and training together but they've embraced it. They've started to like triathlons and get a good understanding of them."

Both girls are already following in their parents' footsteps, having taken part in the annual Prince George Kids' Triathlon in July, where Alicia finished sixth in her age category and Isabel competed on the Iron Girls team, finishing fourth.

Alicia said it's OK that her parents are focused on themselves right now because a day after the Canadian Ironman the family will hop a flight to Disney World.

"It's basically about the Ironman this summer so that's our treat," smiled Alicia, adding she can't wait until the family is back together full time again. "Sometimes I miss my mom and dad because I love them."