Herbert in pursuit of Ironman redemption

Steve Virgen

There’s a question that comes up every so often that Kevin Herbert

would rather avoid. He doesn’t like to answer the question, yet it is

actually serving as motivation for the Newport Beach resident.

The question: How did you do in the Ironman Triathlon World

Championship last year?

“The time I finished in is not something I could brag about,”

Herbert said. “I finished in 12:30. But I want to go back and redeem

myself.”

Herbert, 39, and a triathlete for the past two years, endured

humid conditions and had to overcome two flat tires during the

bicycle portion last year. However, he is anticipating another chance

this time around when he competes in the world championship in

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Oct. 18. The event will be in its 25th year and,

as such, will have anniversary festivities.

To prepare for the event known as the “Super Bowl of triathlons,”

Herbert will compete in three different types of races before

October, starting with the Pacific Coast Triathlon, July 20.

The Pacific Coast event is a sprint triathlon, which includes a

half-mile swim, 18-mile bike ride and a 5,000-meter run. The race

begins at Crystal Cove state park at 7 a.m.

Then, Herbert will compete in the Vineman, a half Ironman, in

Sonoma Aug. 3. That race will involve a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike

ride and a 13.1-mile run, basically half the distances required in

the Ironman event.

In September, Herbert will cap his training with the L.A.

Triathlon, which features Olympic distance of a 1.5 kilometer swim,

40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run.

The world championship in Hawaii is a full Ironman: 2.4-mile swim,

112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run. With all the distance he will

be covering, training on his own is vital. He works out 20 hours a

week. So, it helps that he owns his business as an executive

recruiter.

He has been working for his own company, the Will Jordan Group,

for the past 12 years and, throughout his life, he has been gaining

the experience necessary to become a triathlete. He said, endurance,

perseverance and time management are important attributes triathletes

need.

Herbert, originally from Maryland, wrestled while at North

Hagerstown High, from which he graduated in 1982. He was an all-state

wrestler in the 119-pound division his junior and senior years.

He also wrestled in college, at American University in Washington

D.C., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business accounting in

1986. He worked for a few years in New York and moved to California

in 1988.

In addition to building his own business, Herbert competed in

marathons for 10 years. He finished 20th in the L.A. Marathon in 1992

and he placed seventh in the Long Beach Marathon in 1993.

Two years ago, Herbert became intrigued with the triathlon after

watching one on television. He realized he had some free time and

could make a commitment. Now, he has developed into a triathlete. He

works out with a coach, Steve Eisenhaur.

He joined club teams, including UC Irvine’s, as well as adult

squad, Team Sheeper. He is the assistant coach for both clubs.

“Without sounding too arrogant, I’m a step below a pro,” Herbert

said. “I would call myself a top age-grouper.”

Herbert has also received support, and leeway, from his fiance,

Leslie. They plan to marry in early 2004.

Herbert qualified for the world championship after winning his age

group, 35-40, in the California Half Ironman in Oceanside April 5. He

finished in 4:32.33.

He is aware that he can redeem himself in October because he

finished the California Full Ironman in 10:14 in 2001.