Michael Hattan

Name: Mike Hattan
Race: Ironman Arizona

In the late eighties, I was in high school competing competitively in triathlons, thanks to my mother, a veteran triathlete. In 1990, I joined the military and served my country as a Special Operations Medic in the Navy. During that time, I did not do any triathlons. After my military service, I was accepted into Podiatry School and started a family. The next eight years of my life were dedicated to changing diapers, studying, working endless hours in my surgical residency and getting fat!

In January 2010, I met Sherry Rennard. I joined the YMCA triathlon club in Newport Beach. I started casually working out and doing local Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. I did this under the direction of Sherry. As I continued my quest toward the eventual goal of an IronMan finish, the weight started to come off and the performance/mileage gradually increased. Last November, I made the huge leap and signed up for IronMan Arizona! Over the last year, I competed in the California 70.3 Half IronMan (6:10:52) and also the Vineman 70.3 (5:56:51). Since that time, I have ramped up my training for the Arizona Ironman on November 20th 2011! I am putting in 20+ hours weekly training, I am 75 pound lighter, have been injury free through this whole experience and can say I am READY for IronMan!

Coach Sherry came into my life as a spin instructor and friend and now is SERIOUSLY my coach. She is unlike any other coach I have ever had. She is invested in seeing that I do well, knows how my legs feel, knows if I need a rest day and keeps my diet in check “feed the machine” she says. She seriously has taught me the true meaning of training with purpose! I cannot wait until November 20th to hug and kiss my family at the finish line at IronMan knowing I DID IT RIGHT! Thanks Coach Sherry!