Division of Administration and Finance
University Services
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lindsay Blagg
University Services Communications Coordinator
832.842.4722
lmblagg@central.uh.edu
GOING THE DISTANCE: BROWAND COMPLETES IRONMAN CHALLENGE
Houston, June 14, 2011 – It has been an
incredible journey for Bob Browand. Not only
does our UH Director of Parking and
Transportation demonstrate prowess when
facing parking challenges, he also meets
adversity with fierce determination outside of
the UH campus. On May 21, 2011, Browand
completed his fifth Ironman challenge at the age
of 56.
Browand started out as a sprinter in high school
and said he thought “distance runners were out
of their minds.” He frequently biked while
growing up and decided to try out the MS150, a
cycling fundraiser for the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society. He then became inspired to
try a triathlon after watching a friend complete
one but said first, he had to learn to swim.
“I was hooked after the first one,” he said.
After several triathlons, Browand stepped it up a
notch and went for the supreme challenge: to complete an Ironman. During an Ironman
challenge, athletes complete a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.4 mile run. In
November 2005, Browand registered for Ironman Florida 2006. But his attempt was cut short with
an unexpected, serious setback.
“Despite my best intentions, the journey almost never got started,” he said. “One month after
registering, making my travel arrangements, buying a new tri bike and related equipment and
clothing, I was rushed into surgery after an exploratory procedure for a double bypass.”
After his recovery, Browand wasn’t ready to toss in the towel. He got back up and began the
vigorous training necessary to prepare for the Ironman.
“There’s a saying in Ironman that it’s not the race, it’s the journey. And boy is it true,” Browand
said. “The race itself is the icing on the cake, but the training is where the blood, sweat and tears
are. A typical Ironman training plan lasts between 20 and 36 weeks, and during that time you will
train 10-20 hours a week, swim 137,500 yards, bike 1,923 miles and run 306 miles. That doesn’t
include the time spent on weight training, yoga, Pilates and stretching. But the most important
part of training is recovery and listening to your body.”
Eleven months after his bypass surgery, he completed his first Ironman with a time of 12 hours 37
minutes. Then he went on to do another the next year and two more the year after that. His fifth
was last month at the Woodlands for the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas. Browand said he
began serious training for this year’s
challenge in mid January. In an average
week, he would swim 3 to 4 days, bike 4 to
5 days and run 3 to 4 times. Fridays were
rest days followed by long training days on
Saturday and Sunday ranging from 2-7
hours. However, this time around he said
he almost packed it in after his motivation
faltered and life issues began interfering.
But Browand said the support of his friends
and co-workers, Kathy Tran and Jerry Do,
kept him going.
“Without those two in my corner, I wouldn’t
have made it to the starting line,” he said.
Browand began the IMTX 2011 on May 21 with a swim
through Lake Woodlands alongside over 2,100 athletes.
“I was kicked three times in the face and was pulled under
water several times,” he said. “The swim finish is always the
most gratifying. From there you go into Transition 1 where
you get ready for the bike.”
The bike ride traveled through the hills north of the
Woodlands. Next up was Transition 2 to prepare for the run.
“My run started out strong but the lack of training caught up
to me at mile 10. I pressed on and finished the race in the
time I had expected, 13 hours and 17 minutes. And Team
Browand (Kathy and Jerry) were still there to cheer me on at
the finish,” he said.
Congratulations to Bob Browand for his perseverance and
hard work to complete his fifth Ironman!
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston is a comprehensive national research institution serving the globally
competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning
and strategic industry partnerships. UH serves more than 38,500 students in the nation’s fourthlargest city, located in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region of the country.