Swim - Bike - Run - Win

When Matt Hanson was 15-years-old, he was challenged at a wrestling camp to make a list of goals for the next 10 years. One of those goals was running an Ironman triathlon.
Fourteen years later, Hanson became the North American Ironman champion. 
The beginning
Hanson ran cross-country and track at Triton High School butwas more interested in wrestling. Still, he was always enthralled with the Ironman world championships.
“It always struck me as something I wanted to do,” said Hanson. 
After carrying around his list of goals for ten years, one unchecked box still glared Hanson in the eyes — completing an Ironman. So, at age 25, Hanson signed up for the Coeur d’Alene Ironman in Idaho. In preparation for his first race, Hanson had a very simple starting goal. 
“(I was) learning the heck what I was doing,” said Hanson. “I didn’t really have a clue.”
Having never ridden a road bike, nor learned how to swim long distance, Hanson had his work cut out for him. 
“I had to relearn how to swim…and learn what it meant to work hard while biking.” 
Too make things even more difficult, Hanson began his training while working on his master’s degree from Southwest Minnesota State University. 
For his first race, Hanson said he performed “overwhelming well,” especially in the running portion. 
“I was so new to the sport, that I didn’t understand that running a 3:03:00 for your first one was practically unheard of,” said Hanson. “I had a bad bike time and an okay swim. I just had no idea what any good times were.”
Three years later, Hanson took first overall at Ironman Chattanooga, winning the September race with an overall time of 8:12:32 and setting a course running record with his 2:47:40.
North American Championship
With plenty of races under his belt, Hanson decided it was time for a high-profile race. So, he signed up for the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas National Championship in The Woodlands. Hanson said the October race was one he had a shot at. 
“We put all our cards in that basket,” said Hanson.
Though Hanson had high hopes for the race, he was not ranked high. 
“No one really thought I had a shot at winning,” said Hanson. “No one really counted me in the mix at all. It was fun to play the dark horse.”
Unfortunately for Hanson, the race did not begin as hoped. 
“I started quite a bit slower than I hoped and expected,” said Hanson. 
Unable to swim his way into the lead pack, Hanson was forced to swim with the second. While this allowed him to swim at a more comfortable pace, even with a strong finish, Hanson found himself nine minutes behind the leader at the end of the swim. 
“I didn’t realize how slow we were going,” said Hanson. “It was not the position I wanted to be in, but I stuck to the process. I didn’t panic.”
Hanson came out strong immediately on the bike, whittling away two minutes from the deficit in the first ninety minutes.
“Two of the best riders came up from behind me, and I went with them for a little bit, but they were too fast for my pace,” said Hanson, remarking that with the temperature at 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity, he wanted to be smart on the bike, saving his energy for the run. 
Playing it smart paid off, as Hanson recorded his best time on the bike leading into the run. 
“That was huge for me,” said Hanson. “We worked really hard on the bike over the winter and spring, and I was happy to see that pay off.”
Finally, came Hanson’s best portion of the race — the run. Yet, still he stayed smart. 
“On the run, it was (about) not doing anything stupid. I started off conservatively. It was so hot and humid that I had to make sure I didn’t do anything dumb.”
Hanson ran the first third of the run in forty-two minutes, exactly as he’d trained, taking over third place in the process. Keeping up the pace, he was able to take over the lead two-thirds of the way through. 
He would not give up the lead, finishing first with an overall time of 8:07:03. 
“It was absolutely my biggest win,” said Hanson. “It’s the second biggest event in North America. It was a huge day for me.”
Individually, Hanson swam a 55:02, cycled a 4:21:25 and ran a 2:45:47. Finishing in second place was Joe Skipper of Great Britain with an overall time of 8:16:26 and in third from Switzerland was Ronnie Schildknecht with a time of 8:21:03.
Hanson said that while it was fun playing the underdog, the high-profile win won’t allow him to play that part anymore. 
World Championships
Hanson’s next Ironman appearance will be at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on Oct. 10 of this year. Hanson said while he is planning on participating in a Half Ironman this July, the race will be more of a training day than a competition for him. 
“Everything here on is getting me ready for the world championship,” said Hanson. 
Hanson added that while he will be training for all three facets of the race, the swim may prove to be the most difficult. 
“Ocean swims are often in choppy water,” said Hanson. “Better swimmers have the better day if conditions are rough.”
Hanson stated that despite the extra attention to swimming, he will still be developing a plan that emphasizes his strengths. 
“The race unfolds very different than any other race,” said Hanson. “Everyone is there to try and be a world champion.”
Hanson will have his shot at the title in less than four months.