Wednesday was Michael Sullivan’s rest day.
Wednesday was Michael Sullivan’s rest day.
Any other day of the week, he can be seen biking up the Hamakua Coast or up to Volcano from his home near Honolii in Hilo, and during the weekends he traverses Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway.
“I got a massage and even had time to return a phone call,” he said.
It was a day of balance for Sullivan’s mind and body, and therein lies his story.
The polar opposite of balance and rest is what Sullivan will undertake in one month.
When Sullivan moved here six years ago from Seattle, the 34-year-old did not figure to be a potential entrant to the Ironman World Championship.
“I was just a climber who never understood why someone would subject themselves to such torture,” he said.
His current work at Pacific Quest, a wilderness therapy program for troubled teens and young adults in East Hawaii, helped change that attitude, as did his experience at last year’s Ironman as a spectator.
“It absolutely struck me, the race itself,” Sullivan said. “Understanding the preparation to get to that race. These athletes weren’t just showing up and competing for one long day. They were doing it day after day.”
He suddenly had a new outlook. That “torture” was all in his mind, and Sullivan, who has a master’s in psychology, is a big believer that physical activity can help individuals overcome mental obstacles. And vice versa, psychology can make one a better athlete.
So, Sullivan figured, if he’s going to preach the importance of a healthy lifestyle to youths, why not take on the ultimate physical test?
He entered the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii – also known as Honu – shortly thereafter.
His website, peakselfonline.com, stems from his belief that getting active is integral for mental health.
“I have worked with youth for over a decade now in various mental health contexts and I am a firm believer in pushing one’s edge physically, to expand the limits of oneself – increasing self-esteem, identity and resilience,” he said.
“It’s my project of blending mind-body awareness in youth to tap into their potential and be the best version of themselves possible.
“That’s what fuels me to commit a year of my life to training for the Ironman.”
Sullivan won a half-marathon in Ka‘u and completed the Honolulu Marathon in 2012. His runner’s background came in handy in May when he finished in 5 hours, 39 minutes, .05 seconds at Honu and ultimately qualified for Ironman.
“I had a lot left in the tank,” he said.
He’ll find out how much more in a month.
For Sullivan, the hardest part of the six-day-a-week workouts – either a 50-mile bike ride and a 10-mile run or a 90-minute swim and a three-hour bike ride – has been that he’s had to neglect his surfboard.
“I used to surf twice a day,” he said. “When I’m riding my bike past Honolii and see that I’m missing those hurricane-like waves, it’s been killing me.
“If I can walk when I finish Ironman, you’ll see me right back out there on the beach.”
By 2 p.m. on Sullivan’s rest day, he’d already had three meals and several snacks, and he’s packed 5 pounds onto his 5-foot-9 frame through training.
His goal on Oct. 10 is to finish in 12 hours, though that goal is flexible.
“If I get under 12 hours, I will jump for joy,” Sullivan said. “I will be happy just to finish.”
In Sullivan’s quest to help troubled teenagers, the therapeutic journey never ends.