Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Robert Frazier | Yakima Training Center fireman Steve Martinez proudly displays medals received from...... read more read more
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YAKIMA, Wash. - Steve Martinez’s world never seems to stop - much less slow down, and when you ask him, he says he wouldn’t want it any other way.
“I believe life’s worth living,” said the 28-year-old. “There are so many beautiful things out there—so many things to experience and participate. When opportunities arise, I take advantage of them.”
Martinez says he makes every day count. He juggles school and firefighter duties at the Yakima Training Center for the Department of Defense and serves as the director of a ministry program at the Diocese of Yakima. And when he can, Martinez takes some personal time to prepare for his next triathlon.
He explains that his schedule doesn’t always allow him to work out as long as he’d like, but he trains every day, noting that, at a minimum, he does at least one of the following: a 7-mile run, 20-mile bike ride or swimming nearly a mile.
“It’s a lot of time management,” Martinez added. “I’m not going to say it’s easy, because a lot of times I feel stressed and it can be overwhelming, but I remember, these are things I want to do.”
His commitment has produced a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Yakima native to compete at the World Sprint Triathlon Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 11. As a member of Team U.S.A, Martinez will compete in a half-mile swim, 15-mile bike race and a 3.1-mile run alongside 17 teammates against other triathletes from across the globe.
“It’s something I thought would never happen and to be on this team is a privilege, a blessing and a dream come true,” Martinez said.
The self-described ‘dreamer’ says he first got the idea of competing in a triathlon and representing the U.S.A. when he stumbled across the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon on T.V. when he was 8-years-old.
“I was fixed on the TV and continued to watch it for hours,” noted Martinez. “That afternoon, when the race was complete and the champion was crowned, I told myself ‘I will do that someday’.”
It would take him 17 years and a move to Texas to put that plan into motion.
In 2006, Martinez was an Airman stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, for surgical technology school when he says he decided to get serious and began training.
“I was walking around the mall one weekend and the moment of me watching the ironman popped into my head, and I thought to myself, ‘Now is the time!” Martinez said. “I immediately went to the bookstore, found a book on Beginning Triathlons and the rest was history.”
Later that year, Martinez met Air Force Capt. James Bales when he was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Martinez learned that Bales, who is an orthopedic surgeon, was also an avid triathelte and had competed in the 2004 Olympic Trials triathlon.
According to Martinez, he was not a strong swimmer and when he spoke to Bales about wanting to improve his time and technique, the two began working out together.
“Our training schedule during the week was waking up at 4 a.m. and arriving at the pool by five,” noted Martinez. “We’d train until 6:30, work from seven to four and then pick it back up around 5 that evening.”
“Steve’s the kind of person that doesn't simply dream about goals, he wakes up early, works hard and achieves them,” added Bales, who is originally from Brighton, Colo. “The same traits that make him successful as a person also make him successful as an athlete.”
Within one year, Martinez’s improvement in swimming, along with his continued progress in the other two events led him to the start line of his first triathlon in Lubbock, Texas. Although he finished close to last, Martinez was hooked. For the next eight months he and Bales, formed a team with Bales’ wife Karren and fellow triathlete Tony Milunas and began competing at various events across Texas.
“Those guys are my life-long friends who really helped me step-up my game and raise my intensity to get me where I wanted to be,” Martinez said.
In 2008, Martinez moved from Texas back home to Washington to complete his service with the Air Force. In addition to moving duty stations, he also changed his military occupation and became a firefighter at McChord Air Force Base.
Being a fireman was also a goal of Martinez, who says he keeps a ‘dream book’ in his room full of challenges and ambitions he looks forward to conquering throughout life.
“It’s pretty wild as I think of these new things – these goals I want to do,” Martinez said. “Big or small, crazy or sane, I write down everything I want to do.”
While stationed at McChord, he completed his military service, obtained an associate degree in Fire Science and landed a follow-on job working as a fireman at the Yakima Training Center, while continually working to improve for the next triathlon.
Later that year, he completed his initial dream by finishing his first ironman in Louisville, Ky., which consisted of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike race and 26.2-mile. As Martinez continues to cross off one goal after another, he says there’s no backing down and he sees no end in sight.
“I don’t really take breaks, it’s one of those lifestyles that when I do have a break, I don’t know what to do with it,” added the competitor. “I’m not going to waste the gifts and opportunities I’ve been given.”
During the past 15 months, Martinez has added to an already stacked schedule. He began working at the Yakima Training Center and the Diocese of Yakima, started taking classes to earn his Bachelors of Science and trained even harder to compete at the World Sprint Triathlon Qualifier in Davenport, Iowa.
“The only limitations you have in life are the ones you put on yourself,” Martinez said. “Dreams fuel my life and energize my future.”
On June 12, another dream came true when he secured his place on Team U.S.A., by placing tenth in his age group. But, it almost never happened. Martinez nearly pulled out of the competition because an ankle injury suffered while working at the fire department had sidelined him from running for nearly 8 months.
“There were 700 athletes, representing 36 states… My goal was to suck it up, race as fast as I could and say a prayer that I’d get a spot, Martinez said. “There was this voice telling me, ‘Go! Run and things will be ok,’” Martinez said.
Martinez noted that while his schedule doesn’t allow him to make the hard-time commitments of training with a partner or a team, he never feels alone while competing and enjoys sharing every milestone with those who support him through his journeys.
“The encouragement and effort of people from both of my jobs have been great,” Martinez added. “My dad and my mom have always sacrificed their time and treasure to help my brother and me achieve our dreams and encouraged us to not only to survive in life but also to thrive in life. I couldn’t ask for better people to be around.”
Sept. 11, he’ll have his parents waiting for him at the finish line.
“This is my way of saying, ‘Hey Mom and Dad, this is just as much a part of you as it is me’, noted Martinez. “You gave me the support, the tools and encouragement to believe in myself and achieve my dreams.’”
Following his journey to the World Sprint Triathlon Championships, Martinez said he plans to return to Washington to start crossing out the next milestone in his dream book - the prestigious Boston Marathon.
“I truly believe that if you have dreams, you can make them come true,” Martinez added. “With faith, dedication, hard work and discipline, anything can be possible!”
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2010 17:08 |
| Story ID: | 54474 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 249 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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