IRON ON: Tommy Klauber

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Seven months ago, Tommy Klauber had a life-altering decision to make. After being involved in a terrible bicycle accident 30 years ago, the Sarasota Polo Club resident and Polo Grill and Bar owner had no intentions of ever picking up a bicycle again.

But that all changed one January day, when personal trainer Nicole Clark encouraged Klauber to ride again as part of his fitness regimen. Klauber, who had shied away from the notion for some time, eventually caved and went out and bought a bicycle.

“I loved it,” Klauber said. “I used to live on the north end of (Longboat) Key and I would ride 10 miles back and forth to work. When I finally (gave in) and bought a bike, it changed everything. I started doing the group rides and I really enjoyed it.”

It was the start of a new life and a new set of challenges.

Klauber, who began working with Clark two years ago as a way to get back in shape after having spent the past several years practically working nonstop at the expense of his health, began riding with Village Bikes in addition to working with Clark three days a week.

Klauber had not only begun to notice a positive change in his overall fitness level, but before long, he began losing weight as well.

“I decided I wanted to get back in shape,” said Klauber, who has lost about 45 pounds since January. “I was working 24/7 at the expense of my health, and it was not worth it. Nicole’s really the reason all of this happened. She’s been very patient with me. She never made me feel like I wasn’t trying hard enough.

“I feel 100% better,” Klauber said. “It’s pretty surprising to me. I’ve dislocated a finger and been scraped up and bruised, but I’ve been able to get back up and do it again.”

What began simply as a way to get back in shape has transformed into a new way of life for Klauber, who now is in the midst of training for the Ironman 70.3, Sept. 29, in Augusta, Ga.

The half ironman consists of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run.

“It’s kind of flattering really,” Klauber said. “I never intended to do any of this, but I thought I might as well. If you’re going to go, you’ve got to go. Although, suddenly, it’s real and you’ve got to do it. Everyone that knows me though, knows I like a challenge.”

In preparation for his first Ironman 70.3, Klauber competed in the Top Gun Triathlon, July 28, at Fort De Soto Park, where he finished in finished in one hour, 22 minutes — 18 minutes faster than the goal Clark had given him.

Although, after forgetting to push the start button on his watch, Klauber had to rely on himself to reach his target time.

“That was my first one and I felt like I did really well,” Klauber said. “I felt like the swim was over before it started and the bike was great. The run was hard, though.”

Klauber followed up his first triathlon with a seventh-place overall finish in the 50 to 54 age group of the Siesta Beach Tri, Saturday, Aug. 4. Klauber won the swim portion and finished fifth in the bike portion.

“There were a lot of great moments in the race but the one I remember most is a guy yelling at me to get off the road — bikes should find someplace else to ride — in the middle of a race,” Klauber said.

Now Klauber will spend the next seven weeks preparing for the Ironman 70.3. And even though his coach has moved to Colorado, Klauber hasn’t lost sight of his goals.

“Everything is done for me — I just have to do it,” said Klauber, who has daily workouts all mapped out for him. “This is all new to me, but I’ve got a good sense of humor and I think you have to to do this.

I would recommend it to anybody who doesn’t think they can do it because they think it’s too late to do something like that,” said Klauber, who will turn 54 years old Dec. 31.

So what’s next for Klauber?

“Rio,” Klauber said with a laugh of the site of the 2016 Olympics. “That’s my next goal.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].