Deen going distance - literally

Judge Pat Deen is known throughout Parker County as a man who cares deeply about road conditions and comfortable travel accommodations for local residents.

Deen helped craft and oversee a transportation bond package through to its passage that turned out to be the largest transportation package in county history.

But for Deen, roads serve a secondary purpose.

Over the past year, the Parker County judge has been training for and participating in triathlons and Iron Man competitions.

"A year ago, my son-in-law started getting involved in Iron Mans,” Deen said. “I went to the one he went to in Waco, and that was the qualifier for the world championship he did in France, which he did this year. 

"I was thinking the whole time, 'Has he lost his mind?' because the amount of miles and what you have to cover is just almost impossible.”

Not only did his son-in-law qualify for the world championship, but finished with two minutes to spare and medaled.

“That really inspired me,” Deen said. “You always strive to be better. It's about trying to improve yourself and be a better person, so when he did that I started thinking about it. My wife thought I was nuts...but I completed my third one on Sunday (Oct. 6) in Waco."

More than stamina

Completing these endurance events requires more than just great stamina and willpower for Deen — it takes conquering the lingering vestiges of an early childhood trauma.

"The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was swimming because I almost drowned as a kid," Deen said. "But I actually made the cut and passed the water event and was 50 miles into a 56-mile bike ride and something happened and all of a sudden my leg started cramping up and it was to a point I couldn't even move. So they took me out of the race, and my strength is running. I run about 30 miles a week, but I didn't get to that point."

The Hudson Oaks man was actually taken away in an ambulance at one competition, but impressively, took the incident in stride.

"It was a problem with preparation from a nutrition and hydration standpoint," Deen said. "It was some of the very fundamental and elementary things you do for that type of training and event, so I've become very disciplined about triathlons. To learn three modalities or three disciplines of exercise and try to master those is almost impossible.

“So I took it as a challenge to do that. I've trained now for a year, and I've come a long way, but still have a little ways to go to get past some of the challenges."

Defeating former self

For Deen, 64, the only competitor he really wants to beat at these events is his former self.

"It's not about winning," Deen said. "The thing that I love about it is that it's you against yourself. It's not about winning the whole thing, it's about finishing. When I did a Playtri in Fort Worth back in July, I finished that one without a problem, and that was almost the equivalent of an Iron Man. 

"But the heat becomes a factor when you're getting up into the 90s. You have to take into consideration your body and make sure you have the fuel and the hydration so that you don't have any problems."

Deen trains five days a week and said he has definitely noticed the benefits.

"I have a watch that tracks your heart rate and tracks everything about you," Deen said. "When I first started, I think my heart rate was up around 140 after my runs and now it is around 80 to 85, so it has strengthened that. It gives you more energy. You want to eat right and take care of yourself better.

“It just has so many benefits to it. I remember campaigning for county judge this last time. I was going door to door and I was panting going from door to door. And now I don't. It takes a lot to get me winded."

Advice

The Parker County man does have some advice for anyone interested in competing in an endurance event like triathlons.

"Make sure first and foremost that you're healthy by going to the doctor and getting checked out,” Deen said. “There are issues that can manifest themselves in those extreme conditions. Take your workouts slow and don't feel like you've got to be in shape overnight. Set goals for yourself and build on your progress. 

"Talk to people who have done it and take the necessary precautions to make sure that you don't jump into something too quickly that you're not ready for."

Deen said he plans to continue to participate until he is physically unable.

"I am passionate about it,” Deen said. “It honestly brings a new level of confidence in knowing that you can do whatever you want to do. It's all about training and self-improvement."