Decimal Man triathlon coming to HPP on August 14

Joe Wedemann the architect of the Decimal Man triathlon is hosting another fun event at his home in Paradise Park on Sunday, August 14 starting at 10:30 am.

Adam Busek came up with the name, Mike Fairchild came up with the idea when he started the “Coconut Man” Triathlon in the ’90′s. Mike was into Ironman and wanted to put a shorter “East Side” event on for his birthday. After several consecutive years, his event grew too big for him to participate and get away without permitting or requesting approval from Parks and Rec’s, Road Division, etc.

Eddie Ombac continued a short triathlon starting from Richardson’s for a few years after Mike’s races. Wedemann started his in the same fashion in 2003.

Due to time constraints with Wedemann’s Fire Department job, he was not able to have the race every year on his birthday, so he had to move the dates around as needed.

“Recently, I have been putting the race on about once every 2 months with the big she-bang in January to kick off my birthday and the start of the New Year,” Wedemann said.

      To make the race “do-able” for beginners, the distance is 1/10th that of Ironman World Championship. .24 mile swim – 11.2 mile bike – 2.62 mile run, since you just have to move the decimal over, according to Wedemann.

“Adam said we should call it “The Decimal Man.”  I don’t charge anything for the race but do accept 1 gallon of Clorox bleach as a donation to treat my 25 meter pool where the swim takes place,” Wedemann said.

The 11.2 bike course is a Tour de Paradise Park as it circles the park from 26th to Beach Rd, Kaloli to Makuu. The 1/10th Marathon run is a one loop run from 26th to 27th between Paradise and Kaloli finishing with a victory lap around a 1/7th mile cinder track bordering my property.

Transitions are included, so there is a short run from the swim to the bike.

This is a great distance for beginners to get a taste of the “Real Deal” (Ironman), according to Wedemann.

“Anyone is welcome. I’ve never met a tri athlete that I didn’t like. Potluck BBQ lunch follows the race so if anyone wants to bring a dish and stick around, they are welcome. Many friends bring their families and make a day of it after the race,” Wedemann said.

Sign in time for this race will be 10 am and the swim begins at 10:30.

The race is usually over in less than 1 1/2 hours for beginners to just under an hour for the winning times, according to Wedemann.

Wedemann ask that participants use Helmets on the bike and practice safe bicycle riding and courtesy, as the roads are open to the public.

Interested parties may contact Wedemann by email  joeveronicawedemann@yahoo.com

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Decimal Man a Joe Wedemann Invention

Decimal Man Clock

DECIMAL MAN a Joe Wedemann Invention/Production

Joe Wedemann is the architect of the Decimal Man triathlon. Adam Busek came up with the name, Mike Fairchild came up with the idea when he started the “Coconut Man” Triathlon in the ’90’s. Mike was into Ironman and wanted to put a shorter “East Side” event on for his birthday. After several consecutive years, his event grew too big for him to participate and get away without permitting or requesting approval from Parks and Rec’s, Road Division, etc.

Eddie Ombac continued a short triathlon starting from Richardson’s for a few years after Mike’s races. Wedemann started his in the same fashion in 2003.

Due to time constraints with Wedemann’s Fire Department job, he was not able to have the race every year on his birthday, so he had to move the dates around as needed.

“Recently, I have been putting the race on about once every 2 months with the big she-bang in January to kick off my birthday and the start of the New Year,” Wedeman said.

Wedemann

To make the race “do-able” for beginners, the distance is 1/10th that of Ironman World Championship. .24 mile swim – 11.2 mile bike – 2.62 mile run, since you just have to move the decimal over, according to Wedemann.

“ Adam said we should call it “The Decimal Man.”  I don’t charge anything for the race but do accept 1 gallon of Clorox bleach as a donation to treat my 25 meter pool where the swim takes place,” Wedemann said.

The 11.2 bike course is a Tour de Paradise Park as it circles the park from 26th to Beach Rd, Kaloli to Makuu. The 1/10th Marathon run is a one loop run from 26th to 27th between Paradise and Kaloli finishing with a victory lap around a 1/7th mile cinder track bordering my property.

Transitions are included, so there is a short run from the swim to the bike.

This is a great distance for beginners to get a taste of the “Real Deal” (Ironman), according to Wedemann.

“Anyone is welcome. I’ve never met a tri athlete that I didn’t like. Potluck BBQ lunch follows the race so if anyone wants to bring a dish and stick around, they are welcome. Many friends bring their families and make a day of it after the race,” Wedemann said.

Start time is usually 9:30 am, so I ask first time racers to be at my house at 9:00 am to get familiarized.

The race is usually over in less than 1 1/2 hours for beginners to just under an hour for the winning times.

Wedemann ask that participants use Helmets on the bike and practice safe bicycle riding and courtesy, as the roads are open to the public.

The next race is Sunday June 5th at 9:30 am. Interested parties may contact Wedemann by email  joeveronicawedemann@yahoo.com

Radio Lava 105.3 Personality Stays Fit

Danny Jesser, he writes the songs.

     Being a pretty ‘ol dog, I enjoy reminiscing about the good old days which includes the music of the 60’s and 70’s.

    So naturally I would gravitate to the oldies channel when listening to the radio while travel back and forth to Hilo.

    Catching an early morning radio show, geared to us who appreciate the legends of music, I listened to three personalities on the air waves who were providing their insight into the lighter parts of everyday life.

   Israel (Gonzales), Eddie O (Ombac) and Uncle Danny (Jesser) provided me with some amusing antidotes which kept me smiling and toe tapping until I reached my destination.  

  The first time I heard Jesser on the radio it was a real surprise as I’ve known him primarily from racing with him and against him over the years.

   Back in the early ‘90’s I had teamed up with Jesser to do the Hilo to Volcano Relay races, a 31-mile trek from Coconut Island in Hilo to Cooper Center in Volcano Village.  Then, in our 40’s, we helped set the Master’s age division record for that race.

   Jesser is originally from Manhattan Beach, California where he was exposed to a wide variety of sports at an early age.

   “I attended lots of Laker, Dodger, L.A. Rams football games and as an adult I went to several L.A. Raider games,” Jesser said.  

   As a youth Jesser tried his hand at baseball, football, basketball, and even ran high school track and cross country.  “My events in track were the 100, 440 and the mile,” he said.

   In college, Long Beach State, Jesser’s focus moved onto music where he used his new found talent to write songs and play music.

   Jesser knew many of the players from the National Hockey League’s L.A. Kings as they were regulars at a night club where he was a professional musician.

   “I moved to Hawaii in ’87 to get away from the crowds and traffic of Los Angeles,” Jesser said.  “I love the ocean, had always surfed, and grew up in beach towns, so naturally I was very drawn to the ocean and nature of Hawaii.”

   Today, at age 57, Jesser continues to write songs professionally and he continues to exercise to stay healthy.

    “I usually run three times a week and swim three times,” he said.  “I try to surf whenever I find the time, probably once per week.”

    Jesser also watches what he eats as he consumes lots of fruits and vegetables and he tries to stay away from fats, fast foods and too much sugar.

   “Running is my exercise of passion.  My favorite race has always been the Volcano Marathon and I’m very sorry to see it gone,” he said.

Jesser also ran in two Boston Marathons, the pinnacle of all marathon races in the world.  “One of my two Boston Marathons was the Centennial Race and that one was truly special,” Jesser said.

   When his children were little Jesser would push both of them in a jogger during Peaman events in Kailua-Kona and often times would win the race.  At one time he held the record for a 3-mile race while pushing a baby jogger.

    Today Jesser takes great joy in having his two kids beat him in races.  “About a year ago, at the Hapuna and Kings swims, my kids beat me for the first time,” Jesser said.  “Having them beat me was one of the greatest moments of my racing career.   I’ve never been happier or prouder.”

    Jesser continues his passions in life, staying active as a radio personality (Lava 105.3 FM), writing and playing music and exercising as he runs, swims and surfs. 

   “I exercise because I love it as it keeps me healthy and happy,” he said.

   And for those just starting out in regular, physical exercise, Jesser offers the following advice:

“Take it slow until it becomes as big, important and enjoyable part of your day.  Just make it FUN!”

Lava 105 Radio Personality – A Good Athlete

Eddie Ombac, left, celebrates finishing the Hilo Marathon with race director Wayne "Big Dog" Joseph

    Edgar Ombac, better known as Eddie O. is one talented athlete.  Growing up in the Seattle area Eddie O. was introduced to running during intermediate school.

    In high school at John F. Kennedy in Seattle, Ombac became a hurdler on the track team and placed 5^th in Washington state competition in the 110-meter hurdles.

   “I’ve been running ever since high school,” Ombac said.  I enjoy the competition and the health rewards it brings.”

   One of the favorite races for Ombac is the Hilo Marathon and so it became a natural fit when the race hooked up with Lava 105FM to become their host radio station.

   Ombac ran in the 2006 Hilo Marathon which saw six inches of rain fall during the race.  “I grumbled to myself at the start of the race, but by mile three I finally told myself that this is a good rainy day in Hilo!”

   “Running through the Onomea Bay scenic route and seeing the raging rivers I began to get into a comfort zone, which in turn allowed me to run strong,” he said.

   Ombac continues to run, bike and swim in a variety of local races and remains healthy and fit as a result.

  You can hear more about Eddie O. by tuning into Lava 105FM during weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m.