Bobby Hart is on hour number three of his workout. He's getting in shape for his first triathlon in Maple Grove this August.
"I don't know how fit you have to be, probably more fit than I am right now," he said with a chuckle. Hart might be a rookie, but he has a good sense of humor about tackling a sport that involves swimming, biking and running.
"My body isn't used to this," he said as he worked his way through a two-hour spin class. "My body is still pretty sore on a daily basis."
His trainer Johnny Jensen, known as "Johnny J" in his workout circuit, has Hart working with the big dogs. The spin class is full of Ironman athletes.
"He's working very hard," Jensen said. "I've already seen some very significant fitness gains in him."
But this strength trainer does have a warning when it comes to this fast-growing sport.
"It's addictive," he said. "I warn most people that if you don't want to race triathlon on a regular basis than don't try one because it is so much fun you'll be back for more."
Mike Williams, another athlete training for the race, is a perfect example of that. At 21, Williams has already done 50 triathlons.
"After the first race I was hooked," he said. "It is a good way to stay in shape and a good way to stay competitive."
Competitive is an understatement, this elite athlete can typically swim nine-tenths of a mile in about 18 minutes, bike 26 miles in under an hour and wraps up the 10k run in about 40 minutes.
Williams typically finishes in the top five of every race he's in. He's so into the sport, he hopes to turn pro and make it his full time job after college.
"Yeah, I know some people think I'm crazy but everybody's got something crazy about them."
Four-hundred people have already signed up for Maple Grove's first triathlon. There are still about 100 spots left. If you'd like to sign up check out the Maple Grove Triathlon website.
Lisa Furgison, reporting
lfurgison@twelve.tv
May 21, 2010