Endurance Health & Fitness - Athletes - Andreas Boettcher, D.C.

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Andreas Boettcher, D.C.

Andreas and his very supportive wife Stacey at the finish of IMAZ '06

I completed my first triathlon in April 2003 in Rocky Point, Mexico. The distances were challenging, 300m swim, 5 mile bike and yes, the ever-daunting 1.2 mile run. Though I laugh at it now, this was challenging for me then. Endurance sports were new to me, although I had been athletic all my life playing various sports. What impressed me the most about triathlon was the people. See, I forgot to bring my helmet to my first race and faced with the real possibility of not participating at all. Someone suggested I make a sign “Need a helmet, can you help?” and so I did. It didn’t take long sitting at registration for a total stranger to lend me a brand new helmet so that I could race my very first triathlon. I am forever thankful not just by his generosity by but the opportunity to taste the excitement of racing. I was forever hooked. Even after fumbling through T1 taking 5 minutes to take off a water ski wet suit, trying to put on dry shirt over wet body, and being poked with multiple safety pins in the process I climbed on my grandfathers borrowed 10 speed and raced off to finish 2nd in my age group and actually won a trophy!

What impressed me even more though were the amazing individuals competing at the Olympic distance of this very same event shattering every preconceived notion I had of what a triathlete was…ultra fit, ultra lean and ultra fast!! Sure there were some that fit the bill but what struck me the most were the not so “average.” Some where mothers, fathers, the overweight, an amputee, and a 70-year-old man out there doing it!! I was forever impressed and even to this day it is what inspires me to race on. No matter the race or distance there is always someone older or supposedly a “physically challenged” athlete passing me on the run. I don’t get upset I just simply say “Way to go!”

I race 3-4 times every year to continue and raise the bar challenging my own physical and mental ability. I enjoy being in the best shape of my life at age 36 and seeing my fitness grow with each and every event. I race to inspire my patients, friends, wife, and most importantly my children.

This brings me to my all time favorite quote from my daughter Sabina who is 4. It came after a miserable day in Tempe upon completing the Soma Half Ironman where I neglected my hydration on the bike and suffered miserably on the run. I had to walk over half of it due to severe cramping. My daughter was waiting at the finish line and like a true 4 year old she asked me, “Daddy what took you so long.” I could only laugh. That night while putting her to bed she told me some of the best advice I ever heard:

“Daddy the next time it hurts when you run, run a little faster.”

This quote has gotten me through multiple races and forever will. My favorite race would have to be Ironman Arizona. After months of training by yourself and almost giving up 4 weeks before the race to suddenly be in the atmosphere of 1000’s of cheering volunteers, family’s and fellow competitors was well worth all the suffering. The emotional ride of that day was awesome! Emotions varied throughout the day from feelings of pain, to wanting to quit, to tears of joy for just being out there. But to then cross that line and hear “You are an Ironman” will long be one of the greatest accomplishments in my life. I am forever hooked and as long as my body will allow I will continue to “Tri.”

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