That other Armstrong

Over the weekend I watched the progress of Shanna Armstrong in the Ultraman Triathlon, Kona, HI. This event was her sixth ultra-endurance race of 2006 and her victory, Sunday, was for the third time in the past four years. The Lubbock, Texas native finished the three-day, 320 mile triathlon(lst day-6.2 mile open water ocean swim, 90 mile bicycle ride, 2nd day-171.4 miles bicycle, 3rd day-52.4 mile run) in 28 hours, 13 minutes, and 11 seconds, picking up her fourth victory of the year in a long-distance athletic endeavor. In mid summer she won the RAAM(Race Across America)women's solo event. Her other events were long distance bicycle races. The win Sunday put her in the record books as the only woman to ever win the Ultra-Man(maybe it should be changed to Ultra-Woman) Triathlon three times. She is believed to be the only the second person, male/female, to win it three times.

We are all proud of Shanna and can remember over 8 years ago when she borrowed our Dave Scott Ironman bicycle to do her first triathlon in Midland, Texas. Funny thing is this was a sprint course(500 yard swim, 12 mile bike, 3.2 mile run) and she still claims she like to have never finished it, and felt like passing out when she crossed the finish. Man has she come a long way and continues to go, and go, and go!! Kind of like that bunny that just keeps going. We hope she takes some time now to rest up and see what unfolds in 2007. I can already bet on this one, since she would be the only person, male/female, to win Ultra-Man four times. Bet she is unpacking the bags getting ready for the next swim, bike, run workout.

Take a rest Shanna, she earned it and deserve it. We are proud of you, congrats from all of West Texas,

greerman