One thing is certain about Mike Morgan, age 54, he’s a fighter. Mike retired from the Army back in December 2005, after serving the US for 24 years. As a veteran, he now works with Team RWB (red, white, blue) in Lansing as their triathlon coordinator. Team RWB is an organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.
Several years after retiring from the military Mike became a triathlete and has battled his way to being a multiple time Ironman finisher. He began training and competing in triathlons after retirement to get back in shape. In the process, he lost 50 pounds and was able to be taken off blood pressure medication. He began his triathlon career in 2013 when he jumped in with both feet and completed 8 Sprints and 1 Olympic that year. He says, “I drank the Kool-aid and have been hooked ever since!” Since then he has gone on to complete 14 Sprints, 2 Olympic, 4 Half Distance, and 2 Full Distance races. His first Full Distance event was Ironman Boulder in 2015 and the following year he went on to complete Lake Placid.
Battling his way across the finish line isn’t the only battle that Mike has been facing the last few years. He’s also been fighting cancer along the way. In 2015 he was diagnosed with Prostate cancer and earlier this year faced a Testicular cancer diagnosis. Mike goes in for blood work every 60 days as the fight against cancer continues. All this while still training to compete in the GR Tri Half, Muncie 70.3, and IM Mont Tremblont 140.6 all to be completed this summer. His hope is to finish the 140.6 in under 13 hours.
Just looking at Mike’s training schedule lets you know just how tough and dedicated he really is. Monday and Friday is strength training and a 60+ minute trainer ride. Tuesday and Thursday he does a morning 3600 yard swim with a 6-8 mile run in the afternoons. Wednesdays he hits the trainer for 2-3 hours followed by a quick brick run afterward. Saturday is a long run day. And on Sunday he finally rests.
Mike lives in Eaton Rapids with his school teacher wife. Together they have three children. His oldest son is an Education Major at MSU, 16 year old daughter is a sophomore in the National Honors Society, and his youngest son is a straight A student in 8th grade. Between his family, his service to our country, and his battle against cancer, Mike has a lot to be proud of. But he says “Hearing my name and ‘You are an Ironman!’ never gets old!
