About Brownie

Michael or “Brownie” as most of his friends call him, started doing triathlons way back in 1987 when he was still a competitive swimmer. His first triathlon was done in a speedo, on a mountain bike with a pair of basketball shoes, he loved it. He would complete 3 triathlons before his 15th birthday but the commitment of a swim season and other sports drew him away from multisport.

Mike played various other sports, volleyball, hockey, football but he committed to and loved rugby. He played for the Strathcona Druids for 16 years winning 3 provincial championships; he also played a few winter seasons on Vancouver Island for the Velox Valhallians. Always a fierce competitor Mike wasn’t sure what he would do after rugby to keep the competitive fire burning.

Mike had been putting off surgery on his calves for compartment syndrome so he decided it was time to get it done. Lying on the couch immobile post op he caught The Ironman World Championships on T.V., that was it, he’d decided on a return to triathlon. Not one to think a decision through he got his laptop found a couple races and signed up, with the Sylvan lake ½ Iron being his goal race.

Starting at 245lbs he committed fully and after 6 months of training and getting down to 215lbs it was race day. He clawed and scraped his way to a respectable time of 5:28min, not bad for an overweight rugby player. After the cramps subsided and his heart starting beating again he needed more.

This year with the support of his wife, family and friends he’s taking on the ultimate prize Ironman Canada.