Dixon, Kanaan Taking on Ironman 70.3 Miami
A 70.3 is named such because it features a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run (totaling 70.3 miles) – each of the distances half of that in a full Ironman competition. Kanaan is an avid triathlete who has competed in the Miami event near his South Florida home four times. Dixon hasn't attempted one in several years, and worked his preparations this year around media and team obligations after he won his fourth Verizon IndyCar Series title in August.
"It's really hard to tell how it's going to go; I'm just kind of going for the experience," said Dixon. "I've not had a lot of time to prep, but still I forgot how much I missed putting in the time and trying to get a little more out of all three disciplines and that kind of training. It will be fun to get back into a half-Ironman distance and next year maybe do a few more."
Kanaan, who completed the full Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in 2011, was back in the Aloha State two weeks ago to train while this year's Ironman competition took place. The native Brazilian put in miles on the new, high-tech Trek bike that he and Dixon will ride in Miami and picked up some tips from pros that he knows.
"The bike is very advanced and we have a lot more bike than we have legs for it," the 2004 Verizon IndyCar Series champ said with a laugh. "It's like going to the Indy 500 and people give you a Ganassi car to race. It is futuristic and aerodynamic, which is similar to the race car."
Kanaan and Dixon are iron men on the racetrack, too. Kanaan, 40, is the all-time Indy car leader with 249 consecutive race starts – a streak that began in 2001 and is still intact. Dixon, 35, has made 191 consecutive starts, which is second on the active list.
Both drivers incorporate the triathlon disciplines into their year-round workout regimens, though Dixon hasn't tied them together in a competitive environment in quite a few years. His trainer, Jim Leo of Indianapolis-based PitFit Training, said Dixon is a natural.
"I can't really tell you what his best sport is," said Leo, who will also compete in the Miami 70.3. "He's a phenomenal runner; he's a really good swimmer. He's fast on the bike and aerobically a robot. He could be an athlete in any sport. It will be fun to watch them race."
Former Indy car drivers Vitor Meira and Antonio Pizzonia also are among the participants.