Father and Son Complete Ironman Triathlon Together: A 24-Year Journey to the Finish Line
Twenty-four years ago, Joey Graber stood proudly with his 3-year-old son Jeff in his arms, captured in a family photo after completing his first Ironman-distance triathlon. This image, featured on the front page of the Freeman Courier in 2001, immortalized a moment of triumph—a father who had just conquered 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running, holding a son too young to grasp the magnitude of such an achievement.
Fast forward to August 10, 2025, and that same father-son duo crossed the finish line together at the Michigan Titanium ultra triathlon in Grand Rapids. What began as a child watching from the sidelines had evolved into a shared dream realized—one that tested not only their physical limits but also strengthened their bond in ways neither could have imagined.
For families balancing athletic pursuits with life's obligations, the window for shared achievements like this is remarkably narrow. Joey, now 62 and still farming east of Freeman, knew his competitive years were numbered. Jeff, 27 and a new father himself, understood that the opportunity to tackle such a monumental challenge alongside his dad wouldn't last forever.
The 24-Year Journey: From Spectator to Competitor
Joey Graber's relationship with endurance sports began long before that 2001 family photo. Since running his first sprint triathlon at Lake Pahoja near Larchwood, Iowa in 1996, he has completed 24 long-distance triathlons over 25 years—missing only one year due to plantar fasciitis.
For Jeff, growing up meant watching his father disappear for hours-long training sessions and witnessing the physical and mental transformation that came with each competition. The idea of competing together had been a topic of conversation for years, but it wasn't until 2024 that the timing felt right.
"We've been talking about doing a race like this for two or three years," Jeff explained. "Doing an Ironman with my dad has been a goal of mine because he's getting older and you don't know how many years he's going to be able to do this. You hope it's quite a few, but my opportunity to do it was now."
The decision wasn't taken lightly. Jeff had already learned the hard way about the demands of endurance competition during a 2020 half-Ironman attempt that left him struggling for 8½ hours—a humbling experience that taught him the critical importance of both physical and mental preparation.
Training Philosophy: Two Generations, Two Approaches
Perhaps nowhere are the generational differences between Joey and Jeff more apparent than in their approach to training. Their contrasting methods highlight how different paths can lead to the same extraordinary destination.
Joey's "Opportunistic" Method
After 25 years in the sport, Joey has developed what he calls an "opportunistic" training approach. His regimen is scattered and intuitive rather than regimented.
"I'm like, 'You know, I've got a couple hours, so I'm going to go for a bike ride,'" Joey explains. "Or, I'm driving past Swan Lake; I'm going to stop and swim. It's more opportunistic training than it is regimented training, and it's worked for me."
This flexibility serves multiple purposes for the career farmer. It keeps the training enjoyable rather than burdensome, allows him to balance family obligations, and provides crucial stress relief from the unpredictability of agricultural life.
"I've seen people train, train, train, and it ends up being a burden for them," he reflects. "I never want this to be a burden. This is how I deal with the markets going up and down. This is my stress reliever. This is my hobby and something I want to keep fun."
Joey typically logs five to six hours of training per week—far less than many serious competitors. He acknowledges that more structured training might yield better race times, but he learned early on where his priorities lay.
"There came a point where Patti said, 'We want to support you, but you can't let this become more important than your family,'" he recalls. "So I'm OK with not doing as well with less hours trained. That's just where I'm at."
Jeff's Structured Approach
Jeff's approach represents a new generation of data-driven, systematic training. Having learned from his 2020 struggles, he knew that tackling a full Ironman-distance race would require meticulous preparation.
Working around his responsibilities as a father to 18-month-old Katherine and his 8-to-5 job at Ralph's Feed, Jeff developed a five-month structured training plan. He began building his base in February, increased mileage by the end of March, and spent four months in six-days-a-week training that peaked at 12 to 14 miles daily.
"It's a lot of work," he admits, but the systematic approach gave him confidence that he'd avoided the pitfalls of his earlier attempt.
Jeff's training philosophy extends beyond just logging miles. He focuses on training in adverse conditions—wind, heat, and days when motivation is low—understanding that race day won't always provide ideal circumstances.
Mental Strength: The Hidden Challenge of Endurance Sports
While physical preparation gets most of the attention, both father and son recognize that mental strength often determines success or failure in Ironman-distance events.
"Mentally, that's the side of Ironmans—and triathlons in general—that you really have to home in on," Jeff explains. "You have to be able to accept the distance and trust yourself physically to do it. And that's a challenge."
Joey's mental training includes what he calls "Swan Mans"—solo Ironman-distance workouts at Swan Lake that lack the support and energy of organized races.
"Those are psychologically the most difficult," he says. "There's no one to cheer for me; no impressing the fans who are yelling. Just cows in the pasture and corn fields emitting all kinds of humidity."
During races, mental strategy becomes crucial, especially during the marathon portion—universally considered the most challenging segment.
"When you don't feel like you've got much left, that's when you start thinking, 'I'm going to run one mile and not even think about the other 25,'" Joey explains. "And pretty soon you've finished the first five or six miles and you're like, 'I'm one-quarter done.'"
The mental game intensifies around mile 15 or 16, when the body often begins to shut down. Success requires breaking the remaining distance into manageable segments and accepting that sustainable effort—around 80 percent of maximum—is more valuable than unsustainable bursts.
"You just have to say, 'I can't give 100 percent all the time,'" Joey notes. "I've got to be at 80 percent or whatever you're comfortable with."
Nutrition and Fueling: Science vs. Intuition
The difference between Joey's intuitive approach and Jeff's systematic method is perhaps most stark when it comes to race-day nutrition—a critical component that can make or break an Ironman attempt.
Jeff's Systematic Approach
Jeff approaches fueling with the precision of an engineer. He knows his body needs 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour during the race and follows a strict schedule for electrolyte replacement, consuming drinks with 1,000 milligrams of sodium every two hours.
He relies on edible energy gels—called "goos" in the triathlon community—for quick energy hits and carefully plans his intake around aid stations positioned throughout the course.
"You've got to keep your body fed—that's vital," Jeff emphasizes. "You have to drink water, you have to have electrolytes, and you have to have energy, and training your body to accept that is big."
The consequences of nutritional failure are severe and often race-ending: "You cannot do these distances unless you are replenishing what you're losing, otherwise you hit a wall. And once you hit that wall, it's game over."
Joey's Intuitive Method
Joey's approach to race nutrition is dramatically different—and, according to his son, highly unusual among serious triathletes.
"I'm much different," Joey admits. "He's very much keeping track of everything and I'm like, 'Hm, I should take something now.' You look at your watch and are so into the race it's like, 'Was it a half hour ago? I'll just grab a goo at this station and suck it down and see what happens."
Most of Joey's races are completed without carrying any nutrition supplies, instead relying entirely on what's available at aid stations. It's a strategy that Jeff acknowledges is far from typical.
"I would say the way he approaches this is not normal," Jeff observes. "I would say most triathletes doing this iron distance have some sort of a nutrition plan. But it works for him."
Race Day: Michigan Titanium Challenge
After signing up for the 2025 Michigan Titanium in December, both Grabers began tapering their training about two weeks before the race. The family—including Patti, Emily, and little Katherine—traveled to Grand Rapids two days early for final preparations.
The ultra-distance triathlon began at 7 a.m. on August 10, with 75 athletes from around the world facing a 17-hour time limit to complete the course. Race conditions proved challenging beyond the inherent difficulty of the distances, with temperatures reaching 92 degrees and high humidity making the water uncomfortably warm.
Real-Time Challenges
Both father and son faced unexpected obstacles throughout the day. The warm water forced them to abandon their wetsuits, which cost them time in the swimming portion. During the cycling leg, Joey was stung by a wasp that had somehow gotten inside his suit, creating 15 minutes of intense pain that "felt like a dart had hit my lung."
Jeff faced his own battle with a bee sting on his hand, but perhaps more challenging was a low point during the bike ride when fatigue set in and doubts began to creep in.
"That's when I was starting to feel like, 'I don't know if I'm going to even be able to do the run.' I was feeling exhausted," he recalls.
The moment was transformed when his family drove by in support: "They're banging their cowbell. They don't care how good I do; that was huge."
Father-Son Dynamics
Throughout the race, Joey and Jeff connected through crossing glances, transitions between segments, aid station encounters, and even direct interaction on the course. During the 112-mile bike ride, with about 15 miles remaining, Joey passed Jeff with an encouraging "I'm feeling good
What is the significant event covered in the article?
The article covers the story of Joey Graber and his son Jeff participating together in a long-distance triathlon called the Michigan Titanium. This marked Joey's 24th and Jeff's first triathlon of this magnitude.
How long has Joey Graber been participating in triathlons?
Joey Graber has been participating in triathlons for 24 years, with the Michigan Titanium marking his 24th long-distance triathlon.
What are the components of the triathlon Joey and Jeff took part in?
The triathlon consisted of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run, all completed in a single day.
Where did the triathlon take place?
The triathlon took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
What challenges did Jeff face during the triathlon?
Jeff faced challenges such as mental and physical endurance, dealing with adverse weather conditions, and managing his energy levels throughout the race.
How did Joey and Jeff prepare for the triathlon?
Joey and Jeff prepared by engaging in extensive training, with Jeff following a structured schedule and Joey taking a more opportunistic approach to his training sessions.
What is a unique element of Joey's training approach?
Joey's training approach is more scattered compared to his son's, focusing on opportunistic sessions instead of a strict schedule. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process rather than making it a burden.
Source: https://www.freemansd.com/2025/09/01/ironmen/
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