Against The Odds
A West Bloomfield athlete will compete
in the "pinnacle of triathalons."
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he triathlete is considered
one of the most finely tuned
competitors.
On Aug. 24, in Penticton,
British Columbia, 27-year-old
West Bloomfield native Eric
Schwartzberg will test his condi-
tioning in the Subaru Ironman
Canada Triathalon. The Ironman
is the longest, most difficult
triathalon sponsored by the In-
ternational Triathalon Federa-
tion, combining a 2.4-mile swim,
a 112-mile bike ride through the
mountains of British Columbia,
and a 26.2-mile marathon.
"The Ironman is the pinnacle
of triathalons," Mr. Schwartzberg
said from his Atlanta home, where
he is studying to be a chiroprac-
tor. Yet the training and compet-
ing in triathalons can be even
more challenging for Mr.
tiplied for someone with diabetes,"
said his mother, Arlene.
The elder Schwartzberg spoke
of his apprehension about his son
competing in the 12- to 14-hour
test of strength and endurance.
One physician feels that keeping
tabs on his blood sugar is a way
that Mr. Schwartzberg can keep
himself in the race.
"To counteract the loss of blood
sugar, he would need to take in
carbohydrates during the race,"
said Dr. Kirit Tolia, an endocri-
nologist at Detroit Medical Cen-
ter. "His key is to check often
during the race. Glucose counters
are so small now, they are about
credit card size."
Dr. Tolia was impressed with
Mr. Schwartzberg's will. "Never
in my practice have I ever seen
anyone take on a grueling event
such as this," he
said. "It gives
great hope to
others like him
so that they can
do what 'nor-
mal' people
can."
A baseball
player and
wrestler while
at West Bloom-
field
High
School,
Mr.
Schwartzberg
trains in two of
Eric Schwartzberg during the Florida Challenge Triathalon
the
disciplines
last September.
twice a day —
Schwartzberg. Since age 5, he has about 20 hours a week.
"I try to compete in five
been diabetic.
"I have to monitor my blood triathalons each year," said Mr.
sugar closely in the half Ironman Schwartzberg, who has been in
(all distances halved)," Mr. approximately 40 so far. "I com-
Schwartzberg said. "After the bike pete against others in my age
ride, I check my blood sugar. If it's group, and all of them have been
too low, I have some Gatorade or in the United States, until Au-
a Powerbar to get it back up."
gust."
Mr. Schwartzberg's interest in
On June 21, Mr. Schwartzberg
triathalons began in 1989 while biked for 80 miles in the moun-
attending the University of Wis- tains of northern Georgia, and ran
for 14 miles right after.
consin-Madison.
"It started when I got a racing
"It helps to get your legs in tune,
bike during college, and I had al- and to get a feel for going from one
ready started running," he said. discipline to another," he said.
"My friends talked me into swim-
Mr. Scwartzberg's last tune-up
ming, and it started from there. before Ironman Canada was the
My first event was the Chicago Buffalo Springs Half Ironman in
Sun-Times triathalon in 1990."
Lubbock, Texas, on June 28.
Mr. Schwartzberg's parents,
"I finished it in five-and-a-half
who live in West Bloomfield, are hours," he said. "It was 97 degrees
proud that their son has been able and windy, so the conditions were
to persevere through his disease. tough."
Both of Mr. Schwartzberg's par-
"We were really happy that he
chose to participate in athletics," ents, his sister, Tammy, and pos-
said his father, Harvey. "He nev- sibly her husband, Steve
er said that he was too sick to play. Ehrmann, will make the trip to
Being in a triathalon is something western Canada to support him.
that I could never dream of doing." "I'm not nervous for it yet," said
"This race is hard enough for Mr. Schwartzberg, "but as it gets
anyone, but the challenge is mul- closer, I'm sure I will be." ❑