JEFFERSON CITY - The Ironman is a tough competition, but Dr. John Curtan is determined to complete 100 of them.
A 2.4 mile swim. A 112 mile bike. Followed by a full 26.2 mile marathon. Curtan started doing triathlons at the age of 13. He's now a 41-year old chiropractor who swims, bikes and runs more than anyone you'll likely ever meet, and he doesn't do it because he loves the competition.
Curtan catches all types of comments about what he's doing
"I've heard you're crazy. I've had people look down and say holy jesus what are you thinking?" Curtan said.
"My first thought is... Oh my god I can't believe he can do that.," triathlete Margie Martens said.
He's determined, but not afraid to admit he needs help.
"I have a mental coach that I sit down and talk with," Curtan said. "She is a sports psychologist, and she's basically said that I'm certifiably crazy."
"He likes to say that I did certify him as crazy, but I didn't have to," Curtan's wife and sports psychologist Dr. Rhonda Brown-Curtan said.
Curtan's goal isn't a championship; it's money to help kids.
"I was thinking about what I could do to get the word out about sexually and physically abused children," Curtan said.
So Curtan decided to do the most grueling thing he could think of: triathlons. One after another, one-a-day for 100 straight days. At the Show-Me State Games he did his 51st triathlon with the hope people will notice his pain and understand the pain of abused children.
"It turns out a lot of people forget about sexually abused children, so I decided this is the cause I want to be with," Curtan said.
Curtan prepared for the marathon of triathlons for almost a year. His trek takes him to nine different states and covers thousands of miles.
"Everyday I'm telling my wife, 'what have I gotten myself into,'" Curtan said.
When he isn't pushing a mower he's pedaling a bike.
Since there isn't an organized triathlon everyday of the week, Monday through Friday Curtan runs his own race.
"What I've done is I've gotten together with some race directors and tri- teams, and we've recreated the courses," Curtan said. "I've had people run with me during those days."
Curtan says his right knee hurts enough for him to wear a brace when he's not running, but it isn't slowing him down.
"In spite of what objections he might get, in spite of what criticisms and what beating ups people might do, he makes it," Brown-Curtan said.
Dr. Curtan is scheduled to do his 100th triathlon in Kirksville on September 7th. He's already made a spot in the Guiness Book of World Records. Sunday Dr. Curtan did a triathlon for the 58th straight day.