Life after BMX: Dave Mirra's journey to the top of Ironman is underway

In the summer of 2012, BMX legend Dave Mirra and his family watched their friend Eric Hinman compete in his first Ironman at Lake Placid. Mirra looked on as 2,500 athletes swam two loops around Mirror Lake, biked 112 miles and finished with a 26.2 mile run through the town and around the lake. It didn't take long before Mirra was contemplating how to take over another avenue in the world of adventure sports.

Ryan Wallerson | Jun 2, 2015

Life after BMX: Dave Mirra's journey to the top of Ironman is underway /

In the summer of 2012, BMX legend Dave Mirra and his family watched their friend Eric Hinman compete in his first Ironman at Lake Placid. Mirra looked on as 2,500 athletes, including his buddy from his hometown of Syracuse, N.Y., swam two loops around Mirror Lake, biked 112 miles and finished with a 26.2 mile run through the town and around the lake.

Dave wasn’t immediately hooked by his first experience with Ironman competitions, but it didn’t take long before he’d found his newest passion.

“Lake Placid didn’t get me into the sport at the time,” Mirra says. “I remember saying that it was an awesome sport that I’d never get into, but by the end of that summer, I was training like a triathlete with Mike Corona, the same guy who Eric trained with.”

Biking came naturally to Mirra—hardly surprising when one considers how he dominated the X Games BMX scene from the late 90’s through the 2000’s. Mirra is second in X Games history in both total medals (to Bob Burnquist) and gold medals (to Shaun White). 23 of his 24 medals are in BMX, as are all of his gold medals.

The running and swimming portions of Ironman competitions were a different story.

Highlight History: Going back in time at the Summer X Games

A beautiful view of the Moto X Freestyle competition during the X Games at Pier 30 and 32 in San Francisco, California.

Achim Kujawski in action during the BMX vert competition at the 2001 X Games at First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Roman Hackl busts out some moves during the Men's Skateboard Park Final's at the 2001 Summer X Games at the First Union Complex in Philadelphia, PA on 20 August 2001.

Chad Bartie takes a breather before the start of the Men's Skateboard Park final at the 2001 Summer X Games at Philadelphia's First Union Complex 20 April 2001.

Roman Hackl warms up before the start of the Men's Skateboard Park Final's during the 2001 Summer X Games at the First Union Complex in Philadelphia, PA, 20 August 2001.

Bob Burnquist relaxes during the filming of a scene for a commercial for X Games 9 at the Playboy Mansion on May 6, 2003 in Holmby Hills, California.

Paul Rodriguez, Eric Koston and Rodil de Araujo, Jr. pose for photographers during the awards ceremony at the X Games 9 Skateboard Street contest held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Stephen Murray catches air at the X Games 9 Bike Stunt Dirt contest held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Tony Hawk attempts to land his jump in the Skateboard Big Air competition during the X Games 11 on August 5, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Danny Way drops into the ramp during the Skateboard Big Air competition during X Games 11 on August 6, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Ryan Guettler competes during the Bike Stunt Park competition at X Games 11 on August 7, 2004 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Travis Pastrana competes for gold in the Moto X Speed and Style Final during X Games 16 at Staples Center on August 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Travis Pastrana competes during the Rally Car event at X Games 16 on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Ryan Sheckler competes at the Skate Street event during X Games 16 on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Bucky Lasek competes in the Skateboard Park Final during X Games 16 at the Event Deck LA Live on August 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Dave Mirra races during the Speed and Style event at X Games 16 on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Moto Best Trick participant Travis Pastrana at X Games 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 4, 2005.

Travis Pastrana during the Moto X Best Trick contest at X Games 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 4, 2005.

Silver Medalist Shaun White at the ESPN X Games 11 during the Men's Skateboard Vert Finals on Friday, August 5, 2005.

Kenny Bartram perfroms a trick during the Moto X Freestyle final at X Games Eleven on August 6, 2005 at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles, California.

Andy Macdonald performs a trick in the Skateboard Big Air competition during X Games 11 on August 7, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Men's Skateboard Vert silver medalist Bob Burnquist in action during X Games 12.

A look at the view of the Snow Ramp during the ESPN X Games on June 27, 1998 in San Diego, California.

Gold medalist Travis Pastrana during Freestyle Moto X finals at X Games 12 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on August 6, 2006.

Ryan Sheckler competes in the qualifying round in Skateboard Street at X Games 14.

Omar Hassan practices in the Skateboard Superpark during X Games 14 at Home Depot Center on July 31, 2008 in Carson, California.

A competitor participates in the BMX Freestyle Street final during X Games 14 on July 31, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Bob Burnquist reacts after a successful run during the Skateboard Big Air Final at the 14th Summer X Games on July 31, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Simon Tabron practices in the BMX Freestyle Vert during X Games 14 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2008 in Carson, California.

Lyn-z Adams Hawkins competes in the Women's Skateboard Vert final during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on July 30, 2009 in Carson, California.

Garrett Reynolds competes in the BMX Freestyle Street event during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

Gaby Ponce competes in the Women's Skateboard Vert final during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on July 30, 2009 in Carson, California.

Bob Burnquist competes in Skateboard Big Air at the Staples Center on July 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

Robbie Maddison gets some serious air during the Moto X Freestyle at X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on July 31, 2009 in Carson, California.

Travis Pastrana takes part in the Moto X Best Trick as part of Summer X Games 15 at Staples Center on July 31, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

Paul Rodriguez looks to land a trick in the Men's Skateboard Street finals at Summer X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

89672859 (1).jpg — Christian Pondella/Getty Images

Jamie Bestwick competes in BMX Vert at Summer X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

Rob Lorifice competes in the Men's Skateboard Vert event during X Games 15 at the Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

Nyjah Houston competes in the Men's Skateboard Street finals at Summer X Games 15 at Home Depot Center on August 1, 2009 in Carson, California.

Mat Rebeaud busts out some crazy moves in the FMX Freestyle finals during X Games 16 on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Ashley Fiolek wins gold in Women's Moto X during X Games 16 on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Competitors start in the Moto X Super X event during X Games 16 at the LA Coliseum on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Jake Brown competes to a gold medal in the Skateboard Big Air final during X Games 16 at the LA Coliseum on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Levi Sherwood does a stunt during the Moto X Freestyle final at the LA Coliseum during X Games 16 on July 29, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Daniel Dhers surprises fans as he competes for a gold medal in the BMX Freestyle Park final during X Games 16 at the Event Deck LA Live on July 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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“I was never a swimmer or a runner before I began Ironman training,” Mirra says. “ I started biking longer distances, doing some running, and it felt really cool. I’d say that’s when I really fell in love with it.”

Mirra, now 41, remains a man with a near infinite motor. In March 2013, he competed in his first competition, the Bay Shore 70.3 mile Triathlon in Long Beach, Calif. The love for triathlons he thought he had found was tested in that debut, where he placed fourth.

“I was two miles out from finishing and thinking to myself that I’d never do this again,” confesses Mirra. “But when I got done, I couldn’t wait to do it again. When I called my wife from the finish line I was almost in tears I felt so good.”

Mirra competed regularly after that, with varied amounts of success. His next race was the Raleigh Ironman 70.3. Mirra’s experience there was entirely different than in California.

“Ironman competitions are an entirely different ballgame. The level of competition is much higher, and there are way more athletes,” Mirra says. “I was terrible in the swim, had a really fast bike split, but had a very tough run. I was dying after that race. I could tell I had a lot to learn.”

Ironman competitions are an entirely different ballgame... I was dying after that race. I could tell I had a lot to learn. —Dave Mirra

Corona had helped Mirra devise an introductory training plan, but he struggled to consistently finish races during the 2013 season. Mirra then began training with triathlete Ian Mickelson, with whom he focused on his swimming, at the end of the 2013 season.

“2014 was a much better year,” Mirra says. “I had a few really decent performances, and felt like I was really getting my feet under me.”

Dave Mirra (pictured center-right). — Dave Mirra (pictured center-right) / Courtesy of Dave Mirra

Mirra qualified for the 70.3 Mont Tremblant Ironman World Championship in Canada in 2014, where once again the level of competition was raised.

“To quality for Mont Tremblant was a huge goal,” Mirra says. “It was extremely satisfying to look around and see what I consider the best athletes in the world as my competition.”

Today, Mirra is thoroughly embedded in the culture of triathlon and Ironman competitions. He now trains with Cliff English, who trains the top-level competitors within the sport.

“I’ve learned a lot from all three coaches. I’ve jumped around the last three years to switch up styles. They taught me not to focus on speed because technique is far more important when it comes to finishing these races,” says Mirra. “I want to be a decent runner, a decent biker and a decent swimmer. I try to stick to my plan and not go too far outside of it. The whole philosophy is to go hard when you’re supposed to go hard, and go easy when you’re supposed to go easy.“

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In 2015, Mirra raised the stakes again. His first race of the year in Raleigh was on Sunday, and though he didn’t complete the running portion, his swim time of 40:37 and bike time of 2:19:27 were competitive among his field. Considering Mirra said that he had no goals heading into the race other than seeing where his fitness was, he should be happy with that finish, but knowing Mirra, his mind is thinking of the next step forward.

This year’s goal, according to Mirra is finish in the top five in his age group at the Lake Placid Ironman competition, the same one where he first saw his friend Eric Hinman compete. That would quality him for the 2015 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Lake Placid will be Mirra’s first 140-mile race. Kona is the same distance.

“I’m a little scared of Lake Placid to be honest. I’ll give it a go and do my best, and we’ll see what happens,” Mirra says. “For a big distance, from what I understand, a lot has to go right. You can work your way through a half Ironman, overcook the bike a little bit, but that won’t cut it on a full distance.”

To train for the longer distance competitions, Mirra plans to ratchet up his training program to levels he was simply incapable of when he began in 2012.

“Saturdays will be a 112-117 mile bike ride. On Sundays, I’ll run for two and a half, maybe three hours. Swimming is all about consistency: I’ll do 3,000-5,000 yards in the pool three to four times a week,” Mirra says. “The toughest thing for me is swimming. It’s all about technique and I didn’t swim as a kid. Cycling is natural; I just have to do my homework. Get my workouts in, do the big long rides. Running is the toughest one of all. Very technique based. Keeping the hips forward, the torso learned over and legs fast is the way to good times.”

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Mirra has only begun his Ironman career, but says that he plans to do it for the foreseeable future. He enjoys his time within the sport as a fan as much as he does competing.

“I can only imagine, training like I do, what they do and how long they’ve been doing it to have these absolutely amazing engines, they know their bodies. Hot, cold, windy, rainy, they are always fast,” says Mirra. “Heat will slow me down. I’m pretty fit, but I have my weaknesses. I was in Kona last year, and had no problem being a spectator. I would love to qualify and be in the field this year, but if not, it’s not a defeat to me at all.”

It would appear that there is no one clear way to defeat Dave Mirra.

Published Jun 2, 2015

RYAN WALLERSON