In December 2016, after completing an Olympic distance triathlon, Christopher Aldridge, MD, registered for the Ironman race that he would then go on to complete in October 2017.
“I never thought I would finish an Ironman, it just seemed too far-fetched when I was first starting to train,” Dr. Aldridge said. “After finishing the Olympic distance triathlon, I felt that I could set this ambitious goal because I’d have 10 months to work up to it.”
Dr. Aldridge is a general surgeon on the campus of Alton Memorial Hospital with a demanding work schedule and busy home life with his wife and two boys, but he found the time to train. He completed the Ironman race in Louisville, Ky., as 991st out of 2,750 competitors. While participants are given 17 hours, he completed the race in a little over 12.5 hours.
“I had a lot to think about between nutrition and hydration,” Dr. Aldridge said.
This dedication to training and exercising in his free time has translated to conversations and education about the importance of exercise for his patients’ health and well-being.
“It’s always nice to create personal connections with my patients, and running is popular now and triathlons are getting more popular, so there are lots of opportunities to connect with my patients,” Dr. Aldridge said. “I can be a good example for my patients to get out and get moving.”
Dr. Aldridge has been a distance runner for about five years and began competing in triathlons across the country at the urging of his former colleague, Dr. David Chung. Because he is a confident runner, Dr. Aldridge found the run was in his comfort zone. Even the swim in the 60-degree Ohio River was an enjoyable part of the race.
“I am definitely interested in competing in another Ironman. Truly, the hardest part of the whole competition is finding the time to train.”
Christopher Aldridge, MD, is a member of BJC Medical Group. He practices at Alton Surgery, which is located at 4 Memorial Drive, Medical Office Building B, Suite 230, on the AMH campus. The practice can be reached at 618-462-3191.
Pictured above: Dr. Christopher Aldridge with his two sons following the Ironman competition in Louisville, Ky., last fall.