MILAN – A death in the family made Matt Albin realize that he needed to live more fully.
“Two years ago, my brother (David) passed away,” said the 1989 Milan graduate. “He was very passionate about his hobbies. For him it was fly fishing and model airplanes. He lived in those communities.
“He had a passion for life. That inspired me.”
Matt Albin’s hobbies were much more physical than his brother’s.
The former high school swimmer had been dabbling in triathlons for nearly three decades. The loss of his brother convinced him to take them more seriously.
The renewed dedication led to him becoming one of the best triathletes on the planet. Albin will represent the United States in the Ironman World Championships in Nice, France on Sept. 14, 2025.
The event includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a full running marathon for a total of more than 140 miles.
“I was just doing it out of the love of the sport of triathlon,” Albin said of the time prior to his brother’s death. “It was just something I enjoyed. My swimming background made it easier.”
Ironman versions of triathlons were just a pipe dream at the time.
“I would watch it on TV and say, ‘Those guys are crazy,’” he said.
But as Albin started training more seriously his performances improved. He decided to enter a world championship qualifier in Maryland last September.
“My wife (Carrie) asked, ‘What happens if you qualify?’ I said, ‘That’s crazy,
The “crazy” morphed into reality as Albin completed the race in 10 hours, 16 minutes and 50 seconds.
“My goal was to break 11 hours,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it. I had a great swim and a really strong bike. I just needed to hang on in the run.”
With 1,800 athletes in the event and all of the age groups competing together, the 54-year-old did not realize until later that he had finished second in the men’s 50-54 bracket and 36th overall.
“I do it to compete against myself mainly, but it’s fun to do well and place,” he said. “I had no idea how I was doing. I guess they have an app where you can follow it, but my wife was there cheering me on and she didn’t know, either.”
Albin’s swimming background gave him an edge in triathlons, but the water is no longer his strong suit.
“They are all pretty equal these days,” he said. “I got tired of coming out in the top group after the swim and watching all those guys pass me in the bike and the run.”
Albin and his wife visited France about 20 years ago. This trip will be different.
“I am just excited,” he said. “I’ve seen some videos of the race course. It’s one of the most difficult in the world. You start the bike at sea level and climb about 8,500 feet. It’s a very technical course.”
Albin isn’t going into the race with high expectations.
“I don’t think I’ll place second in my age group again,” he said. “There are qualifiers from all over the world. If I can finish in the top quarter of my age group, that would be a great accomplishment.”
Albin lives in the South Branch, but returns to Milan frequently because his parents live there. He says he trains about 14 to 17 hours a week.
“And that doesn’t include the strength and mobility training,” he said.
He isn’t sure how long he will continue to compete.
“That’s a great question,” he said. “This is probably my peak. I am not sure what will happen the next couple of years.”
No matter what happens, Albin plans to stay involved with the sport.
“I am working on a triathlon coaching certificate,” he said.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Milan graduate Matt Albin to compete in World Ironman finals
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
