just out ▼ fabruary 2, 1996 ▼ 35
_____________ S P O R T S ____________
Catholic?
A fire within
Local athlete Adrian Kalil is driven to give his all
as a competitor and as a volunteer
—
▼
by Jill Schuldt
the recipient and provider of finish-line medical
n Oct. 7 , 1995, Adrian Kalil of Team
care, I can appreciate how much is involved. But
Portland Aquatic Club realized the
when just one person turns and offers their thanks,
completion of a dream. Adrian was
every drop of sweat is worth the effort.”
one of 1,441 men and women who
Kalil plans to take a year off from competition
began the 1995 Hawaiian Ironman
before
returning as coach and swimmer for Team
World Championship Triathlon in the warm
wa­
Portland. He plans to attend the 1998 Gay Games
ters of Kailua-Kona.
The day would involve a
2.4-mile ocean swim, fol­
lowed by a 112-mile bike
trek through the lava fields
along the west coast of the
Big Island, and would finish
with a 26.2-mile run. Every
year this prestigious event
attracts people from all over
the world— amateurs and
professionals alike— each
with his or her own goals,
dreams and stories.
Kalil’s athletic roots are
worth noting: He swam dur­
ing high school and college
and later picked up running
during his graduate studies
in the late ’70s. Cycling
came later, with his interest
in the then “new” sport of
triathlon, which came to Or­
egon in 1982.
Throughout the past 13
seasons, Kalil has completed
25 triathlons, including five
Ironman events. In the pro­
cess he’s covered four coun­
tries and three continents.
He participated in the 1990
Gay Games in Vancouver,
B.C., and swam with and
coached for Team Portland
Aquatic Club at the 1994
Gay Games in New York. In
addition, he has completed
dozens of 10k and 15k road
races, four marathons, and
countless m asters swim
meets over the years.
Not bad for an individual
who considers himself a rec­ Adrian Kalil at the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii
reational athlete and partici­
Throughout the past 13 seasons,
pates for health, peace of
mind, and the camaraderie
Kalil has completed 25 triathlons,
these sports can bring.
including five Ironman events.
‘Training and compet­
ing bring me a sense of sat­
In the process, he’s covered
isfaction I cannot find any­
where else,” he says. “It also
four countries and three continents.
requires an enormous dose
in Amsterdam, and to continue to volunteer when
of self-discipline and helps to bring structure to
and where possible for future marathons and
my life.”
triathlons, including each year in Kona.
Life is busy for Kalil, who is a practicing
In the same manner that Kalil has received
anesthetist for a large hospital in Portland.
encouragement through his association with other
“Work clearly comes first,” he laughs, “as I
athletes throughout the years, he continues to be
couldn’t make it as a professional athlete if I
an inspiration to his fellow volunteers and team­
tried!”
mates. Being an endurance athlete reflects a com­
The combination of work and sport brings
mitment to a certain lifestyle and attitude toward
balance to his full life, but it does not stop there.
one’s self.
“The sports have been very good to me, and I
have always felt strongly about giving something
It is an endeavor that draws together the ele­
back,” Kalil says. Since 1986 he has been a
ments of body, mind and spirit, all driven by a fire
volunteer for the Portland Marathon, and over the
from deep within.
“Getting back to Hawaii as a competitor was a
last five years he has helped to coordinate the
medical services at the finish line.
dream come true,” he says. “I had done the Ironman
in Australia this last April, so I was in pretty good
Every October he volunteers at the Hawaiian
shape. When I received my letter of acceptance
Ironman finish line, and this year he will travel to
[for Hawaii] in May, nothing else mattered but the
both Ironman Germany and Ironman Canada to
finish line and the experience."
offer his talents there.
“The work is extraordinarily satisfying, as
We should all feel so good.
most volunteer work can be. Having been both
O
Gay? Lesbian? Bisexual?
Transgender? Fallen-away?
Lapsed? Alienated?
▼
Y o u ’re w e lc o m e a t
January 2 l
The Downtown Chapel
Survival Skills
Ion« term
survivors talk
about getting
there.
(St. Vincent de Paul Parish)
601 W . Burnside
v
Come join us as we affirm and
celebrate the beautiful diversity
of God’s creation.
January 25
"W ho's the
Boss":
negotiating with
your doctor.
HIV POSITIVE?
February 5
HIV & Dating
consumer
workshop.
The Russell Street Clinic at Oregon
Health Sciences University needs
HIV participants for an oral health
care research project to study the
overall health effects of regular
dental care for people with HIV.
For more information, call:
494-6300
An affirmative action institution.
HIV University is funded by the Ryan W hite Care Act (Title 1)
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