When Brice and I got married, we were able to include many of our good friends in various aspects of the ceremony/celebration including the photography, the ceremony music, the readings, the cake, the table decor, and even the refreshments. We also asked pastor Josh Santin, a triathlete and member of my swim class in Ventura, to be our officiant. It was an honor to have him be part of this special moment in our lives, and it is an honor to continue working with him as he pursues his athletic goals. Read more about those goals, why he tris, and other random facts about Josh below. If you are trying to figure out what to get Josh for his next birthday, scroll down to the bottom for some of his favorites…
Athlete: Josh Santin
Current residence: Oxnard, CA
Place of birth: Hollywood, CA
Day job: Pastor
Dream job: I’m living it.
Favorite sports or hobbies: Football, Basketball, Board Games
When/how/why did you become an endurance athlete? Originally to get fit again. I began by accepting a challenge in 1996 to do the next year’s Steamboat sprint triathlon. Only one person finished after me that year. The passion of challenging myself to do better became too strong for me to ignore after that point.
Favorite endurance athletic accomplishment(s): My first Ironman at Arizona 2010 was a great experience. But my favorite has been and continues to be the Carpinteria Triathlon, because of so many friends on the course.
Hardest endurance race and/or workout you’ve ever completed: Hits Ironman distance Lake Havasu. Got dark at 5:30 pm. Most of the athletes who were in this race finished in 13 hours or less. The last 20 of us finished the marathon in the dark. Very tough when you’re running/walking alone. Pulled my hamstring at mile 14, but continued to walk/limp to the finish line.
Most memorable endurance training and/or race moment(s): Vineman 2011. Temperature was over 100 and my whole body was cramping up at mile 85 of the bike. Somehow made it to T2. Did the first two loops of 3 of the run. At the beginning of the third loop, I quit mentally. I walked over to the lunch trunk and ordered a double cheese with bacon and a large Diet Mountain Dew. As I sat there and ate, I was amazed as these athletes, many older then I, some hurting more than I was, who had the mental strength to finish.
Current 2016-2017 training/competition goals: Granite Man in September 2016, Oregon Double Anvil July 2017.
Why do you want to accomplish this goal? Because God made me this way. I’ve tried to walk away from triathlon and endurance racing many times. Believe me when I say I have tried, but I can’t. And it’s because God made me to enjoy the mental, physical and yes PAINFUL, experience of challenging myself to do better and go longer. So now as I race and the mental, physical and painful reality begins to challenge me to quit, I thank God for allowing me to be who He made me to be.
Training tips: Make sure you try out all your racing fuel during training.
Training pet peeve: Flat tire!
Post-race/workout treat: DIET MOUNTAIN DEW
Ideal training “camp” location: Disney Grand Floridian Resort
What motivates you to keep going when it gets tough? I try to remember that I chose to do this, so enjoy it. I also tell myself to remember how I felt when I gave up and quit.
Something you’ve learned about yourself through endurance athletics: I can’t be afraid of failure. Failure is a part of getting better, and that includes me.
Best encouragement you’ve ever been given: It takes incredible courage to put your toes on the starting line of any endurance distance race.
Athlete hero: Shigy Suzuki
Words of wisdom to aspiring endurance athletes: Your dream is just as important than anyone else’s. So don’t let anyone discourage you from striving to achieve your dream.
What does “Fuel” mean to you?: The octane that is going to make my motor work and run best. (Now if I could only remember that!)
What does being “Fit” mean to you?: Taking the best care of my heart, soul, strength, and mind, that was given to me.
Pick one:
Swim, bike, or run? Bike
Open water or pool? Open water
Trail or track? Track
Solo or group training? Solo
Chocolate or cheese? Cheese
Watch on your left wrist or right? Left
Morning or evening workout? Morning
Hat, visor or headband? Neither, only need Sunglasses to look cool.
Swim cap or no cap? No cap
Cheerios or Wheaties? Cocoa Pebbles 😀
Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? None
Crocs or Birkenstocks? Bare foot
Good N Plenty or Mountain Dew? Good N Plenty’s inside my 20oz Diet Mountain Dew. HA!
Thanks, Josh! Keep Doin what you Dew!
