We have reached the finish line! Our 2019 edition of the Lazy Man Iron Man ended on June 15. Forty athletes completed the legendary Ironman competition over a six-week period rather than a single day. They ran, pedaled and swam to stay healthy while having fun.
Join us in the Church Hall at St. Patrick parish after the 9:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. Mass on June 30, 2019 for our awards ceremony complete with a pancake breakfast, hosted by the Tacoma Council 809 Knights, in support of semenarians. All participants in the 2nd Annual Lazy Man Ironman can pick up Lazy Man Ironman limited edition hats designed by Lisa Lovejoy and sponsored by the Law Offices of Stu and Danica Morgan.
In addition the following awards will be presented:
1. Youngest Participants— Elena D. and Elster D., twins, age 6
2. Oldest Participant— Jerry Snarski, age 85
3. Family or Team with the Most Total Miles— The Bihun Family— Meaghan, Joshua, Niall
4. Individual with the Most Total Miles— Barbara Thompson
5. Best Lazy Man Ironman Photo— Libby Catalinich for her Catholics Love Blooms Day snapshot
6. Most Inspirational Participant— Dr. Jim Rooks— read his bio (it is in the Athlete Spotlight of this article— just keep scrolling.)
In addition this year the Health Ministry will be giving a Certificate of Recognition to all the Ironmen and Ironwomen members of the Inclusion Ministry and a special award to Inclusion Ministry Ironman Dan Webster and Ironwoman Julie Fitchit.
All are welcome to stop by the Health Ministry table at Sunday Social Hour and Knights of Columbus Tacoma Council 809 Pancake Breakfast June 30, 2019 for treats, pictures, and to congratulate all the Ironmen and Ironwomen.
Jim Rooks
Dr. Jim Rooks is 77 years old and has been a parishioner at Saint Patrick Catholic Church since 2012. Jim was born and raised in Florida where he attended high school and excelled in football, basketball, and track. After completing college and graduating from medical school Jim served in Vietnam as a flight surgeon with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. Upon his return to the United States, he completed a Residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and practiced in Tacoma for over 25 years.
Jim has been active at St. Pats as a Greeter, 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus, Stewardship Commission member, Health Ministry member, Mens Prayer group member, and an RCIA sponsor. He has had a life long commitment to physical fitness, enjoying running, cycling, weight lifting, rowing, and hiking. During the Lazy Man Ironman, Jim far exceeded the required distances in all categories in addition to weekly gym workouts, weightlifting, hiking, and snowshoeing.
Jim credits his wife Penny with the love and support that has enabled him to be a dedicated athlete and a truly inspirational Lazy Man Ironman.
Garry FitzGerald
About Garry
Barbara Thompson
About Barbara
Barbara Thompson competed in the Ironman in Victoria, B.C. adding miles to her St. Pats Lazy Man Ironman totals.
Jess Zendler
About Jess
This is Jess’ second year as an athlete in the Lazyman Iron Man Challenge. She raced in the amateur women’s field at the Cascade Cycling Classic in Bend, Oregon the weekend of June 1 – 2. She earned 3rd place on the 4th and final stage of the weekend.
Jess like to race with her husband too!
Helen Manley
Jerry Snarski
About Jerry
Libby Catalinich – Updated
About Libby
This is Libby’s second year as an athlete in the Lazyman Iron Man Challenge. Catalinich was baptized at Saint Patrick Catholic Church. Libby began training for Sprint Triathlons more than a decade ago, and half marathons five years ago. Since that time Libby has run in dozens of half-marathons. Last year Libby achieved one of her Bucket List accomplishments by running in the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World. The race included a 5K, a 10K, a half-marathon and a full marathon, accomplished on four consecutive days. 
Lazy Man Ironman
During the Saint Patrick Catholic Church’s first ever Lazy Man Ironman Libby ran in the Bloomsday Race in Spokane and she did the same again this year.She kicked off the 2019 Lazy Man Ironman Challenge with the Bloomsday 12K. Check out this photo of Libby on the steps of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, (she is in the middle somewhere). Notice the banner that says “Catholics Love Bloomsday.” The priests and church choir were on the steps singing hymns as the runners speed past them.
Libby credits her husband, Jim, with the love and support that has enabled her to be the dedicated runner and parishioner she is.
Bihun Family
The Bihun family is once again participating in the Lazy Man Ironman and they are anything but lazy!
Check out their stats that prove it:
- Meaghan: 5 swim, 121 bike, 106.8 run
- Joshua: 2.4 swim, 20 bike, 43.71 run/walk
- Niall: 3 swim, 170 bike, 51 run
With another week to go this family will rock this challenge without a doubt!
Emergency Food Network’s Hunger Walk and 5K Run
The Emergency Food Network’s Hunger Walk and 5K Run at Steilacoom Park kicked off the 2019 Lazy Man Ironman challenge again. The Saint Patrick Pacers have participated in this worthwhile charity, that raises money for Pierce County’s hungry, for the last three years.
In this year;s 5K run three St. Patrick parishioners received awards. Eleanor W. placed 2nd in the Female Under 19 Category, Neil Wachter placed 3rd in the Male Over 50 Category, and Garry FitzGerald, at 71, the second oldest runner in the race, placed 1st in the Male Over 50 Category. The Dait and Birdwell families, including their new dog, were stars in the walk and had a lot of fun as you can see in the photo below.
Sandra Kuharic
Sandra is a parishioner and staffer at Saint Patrick Catholic Church & School. She restarted her fitness journey in April 2017 at Grit City Fitness and Performance— training at least 5 days a week — sometimes 7 at 5 A.M. with the Team Training group.
She and her crew have fun while they build strength and endurance by lifiting heavy things as her trainer likes to say. She has recently added running to her program and plans on starting yoga before the challenge is complete. She is also participating in the gym’s #100daysofgrit challenge which started on May 20th. Gym-goers must log 100 consecutive days of moderate activity either in the gym or from a prescribed list of workouts and log at least one workout at the gym every 7 days during the challenge. Every Thursday is bring friend day at the gym. Consider joining her for a training session.
Alternatives for each of the three sports were available
Alternate activities include:
- 1-hour water fitness class=1 mile swim
- 1-hour water walking/jogging=3 miles run/walk/swim or 5 miles bike
- 1 hour aerobics class (i.e., kickboxing, Zumba) = 5 miles run/walk/swim or 7 mi bike
- 1-hour treadmill/elliptical/rowing machine=5 miles run/walk/swim or use mileage counter
- 1-hour spin cycle class=20 miles bike
- 1 hour physical therapy=5 miles swim/run/walk or 10 miles bike
- Other similar activities at your discretion
Each registered participant received a tracking form to log miles. Health Ministry Leader, Garry FitzGerald, contacted each participant by e-mail to check progress.
It is not the soul alone that should be healthy. If the mind is healthy in a healthy body, all will be healthy and much better prepared to give God greater service.St. Ignatius
