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BizBuzz Evening MBA student excels at 2007 Ironman Triathlon World Championships.
Most people regard the Ford Ironman World Championship—the sport’s premier event held in Kona, Hawaii—as a grueling test of endurance reserved for those who possess near inhuman stamina and strength. For Evening MBA student Brian Monaghan, it sounded like a fun thing to try. Few might consider it “fun” to swim 2.4-miles in the open ocean, bike 112 miles along challenging terrain, and follow with a 26.2-mile run. But Monaghan, a Coast Guard Academy graduate, contends that the rigor and discipline of the military have imbued him with traits similar to those of triathletes. He also admits his unfamiliarity with the true nature of the competition helped keep his pre-race jitters to a minimum. “Running the race in itself was special. But being able to represent the Coast Guard, an organization that has truly shaped who I am today, made it even more memorable and something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” —LTJG Brian Monaghan, civil engineer, United States Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit Miami Construction Management Branch “I was naive about the level of effort involved,” he said. “Twenty miles into the run, my legs and arms began to cramp and stayed that way for the last six miles. There were moments when I thought I wasn’t going to make it.”
Make it he did, and with a phenomenal showing for a first-timer. Monaghan finished the race in 9:34:32—124th in a field of 1,787—and fourth in his age group. He placed first in the military division, making him the United States Armed Forces 2007 champion. “Running the race in itself was special,” Monaghan said. “But being able to represent the Coast Guard, which has truly shaped who I am today, made it even more memorable and something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” Monaghan raises the stakes for second competition. His desire to best himself means Monaghan is back to training twenty hours each week, in between school and his job as a civil engineer. A schedule that many would deem taxing seems to energize the naval officer. “I love my job,” he said, “and I love the Evening MBA program. It’s great being back in the classroom and learning something new.” He plans to launch his own business one day and views the program as his ticket. Next October, he will return to Kona with hopes of nabbing a top-30 finish, something that will require him to shave 35 minutes from his time. He exudes optimism about his chances, particularly if armed with the right pair of sneakers. “I wore the wrong shoes last year and it caused me to have knee problems,” Monaghan said, “I will be better prepared for the next one.” |
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