Power, performance and potential personified
February 7, 2008
Lake Saint Louis
By day, Dr. John Curtin runs a Lake Saint Louis chiropractic office. However, during his spare time, he works out like mad. For now, his workouts include running weightlifting and swimming. He will soon increase distance and add biking and speed training.
Curtin wishes to set a new world record by running 100 triathlons in 100 days in 50 states. This attempt will be the first of its kind for a triathlon activity, which consists of swimming, cycling and running over various distances. The name of this endeavor is the P3 Triathlon Tour. The P3 stands for power, performance and potential.
Proceeds from Curtin’s efforts will benefit The Child Center, a local child advocacy group helping families who have been traumatized by child abuse and violence.
“These are the kids that people don’t talk about,” said Curtin, an executive board member of The Child Center.
The 100 days of the P3 Triathlon Tour will soon begin on June 1 and continue through Sept. 7. Each day of racing will last between two to four hours. Since there are usually no races held during weekdays, Curtin is working with representatives of various cities and races to try to re-establish triathlon situations.
There are no guarantees of triathlon-ready environments and in many areas he will have to share the roadway with traffic. For example, in Chicago he will need a police escort during his running and cycling. The team is bringing a canoe for those situations when no lifeguard is on duty. A team member will canoe alongside the athlete during his swims.
Each day, Curtin will burn about 2,000 to 3,000 calories and will eat about 5,000 calories. He likes to start each triathlon on an empty stomach, but after each strenuous day of workouts, he plans to consume pizzas, ice cream and a lot of junk food. Of course, he will also eat some fruits and vegetables.
This tour will have its share of ups and downs, literally. Curtin is looking forward to racing in Hawaii, but not so much in the hills and mountain areas of Tennessee. Hills yield a much more strenuous workout.
The team will most likely travel in an RV or a bus. They are not planning for any road trip to last longer than 11 hours; and, sometimes, they will need to fly to some destinations.
Beginning the tour in Curtin’s hometown of Lake Saint Louis seemed like a no-brainer, but the Lake Saint Louis Community Association has refused his request to use the smaller of the two private lakes. Curtin is not a LSLCA member; and though the lake is open to non-members during events like the Polar Bear Plunge, which benefits the Special Olympics, the club has refused Curtin’s request.
Ron Wilson, Operations Manager of the LSLCA, said that the association “tries to be somewhat strict” when considering requests for exceptions to the rules. He said that granting an exception for one organization makes it difficult to draw the line at subsequent requests from others, “even though they are very worthwhile causes.”
He said that any member can use the lake, but no member can reserve it for their own purpose. In Curtin’s case, there would be potential liability for the other 15 to 20 people that would accompany him in the water.
Wilson stated that certain events, like the 2008 5th Annual Polar Bear Plunge, have been grandfathered in and are hosted in cooperation with the city.
Curtin has participated in the Lake Saint Louis Triathlon three times, has been a life guard for the event and intends to participate this year as well, on Aug. 30. He is hoping to celebrate the success of his new world record locally and has been talking with city officials about possibilities.
He has also been speaking with local city officials about promoting the tour with events such as a healthy, active event for kids, to fight obesity and diabetes and promote chiropractic medicine.
Patients of his practice, Aligned Chiropractic, will not be neglected during the 100-day tour. The office has recently announced the addition of Ken Kasper, D.C. as well as a massage therapist.
It seems Curtin has always possessed a competitive spirit. At the age of 15, he was the youngest competitor of the Half-Ironman competition. This competition is a triathlon event including a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run.
So far, Curtin’s training objectives are right on track. He currently works out 12 to 15 hours per week. But, his goals don’t stop after this world record. He stated that in five years, he would like to compete in the Ironman competition, an event consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run.
The P3 Triathlon Tour is gaining sponsorship, but still needs funding and volunteers. For sponsorship opportunities and explanations of ways to help, visit the website or call Dr. John Curtin at 636-561-7702 or The Child Center at 636-332-0899.
Champions of the champion--P3 Triathlon Tour current sponsors:
Expetec Web Design
Momentum Cycles
Team Up
Training Bible
Impressive Promotions
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