Carol Stream mom lives for Ironman competition

The Ford Ironman World Championship has become Donna Maday's lifelong motivation for keeping physically fit at 46 years.

"Now that I am older, this has kind of become my deal," Maday, of Carol Stream, said. "I turned it (competing) up in the last three years."

With support from her husband of 23 years, Dave, and children, Tim, 22, Kevin, 19, Becky, 17, and Daniel, 15, Maday is looking forward to the Ironman competition Nov. 10 in Clearwater, Fla.

Leading up to this, Maday has competed in triathlons for five years and many other physically demanding competitions that included bicycling, swimming and running.

On Aug. 4, she competed in the 70.3-mile qualifier, Half Ironman, an Ironman sanctioned event in Benton Harbor, Mich. There she took second place in her age group by swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles and running 13.1 miles in an impressive 5 hours 5 minutes.

"The time was pretty much what I anticipated," she said.

On Aug. 26, Maday competed for the second time in the Accenture Triathlon in Chicago. She said the water was cold but she still managed to finish first in her elite age group of 40 to 49. Last year she also took first in the division for women age 45-49 for the same triathlon.

Growing up, swimming was Maday's forte. She was a member of one of the first high school girls swim teams in Illinois at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, and later swam at Harper College in Palatine and Loyola University.

She noted that many competitors don't like all three components of the triathlon as she does, with her favorite being swimming.

"I kind of have a love for all three," said Maday.

Another accomplishment was the first-place award in the 40-Plus Indoor Cycling Time Trial at Winfield Middle School. The four-race series began in January and continued through April, allowing one more way for her to train during the winter. It is sponsored by Prairie Path Cycling affiliated with ABD, Athletes By Design Club.

Maday also ran 10 marathons, five in Chicago with the 10th in Boston last April.

While these competitions come with expenses for travel, lodging and entrance fees, Maday's many successes have gained her sponsorship from Aquaphor, a company that produces healing ointment used by many athletes. Of course she hopes that sponsorships will increase as she continues to be successful.

Maday's typical day begins at 5 a.m., and by 5:45 a.m. she heads to Wheaton Sports Center. Her fitness regime consists of biking, running and at least one hour in the pool.

"This takes a lot of time and dedication," Maday said.

That dedication has become an example for her family as well.

"We try to encourage each other in whatever our pursuits," Maday said.

As residents of Carol Stream for 19 years, the Madays have enjoyed assisting others in their athletic pursuits. Last year they were a host family for five girls who were members of the Victory Brewing Company Cycling Team. And this year they intend to do the same for another racing group.

When asked if she is ready for November's competition, Maday quickly and confidently answers with a strong, "Yes."

Best of luck, Donna.