Friends can call Even Evensen Old Grizzly, Griz or Bob, and possibly even some other names, but do not call this 67-year old Oregon-based age grouper a yuppie. I met him in Kona this year (through our common friend Steffen Brocks) and he felt that he should call me Guenther as that was a better German name, so from that point on I referred to him as Bob as that is a better American name than Even in my book. But I immediately liked him and his wife Gayle, and he impressed me in Kona not only with his personality but also with his preparation for Ironman Los Cabos. To get his bike training done he rode a very old rusted Bianchi road bike, a two-wheeled contraption that most triathletes would likely not consider swinging a leg over, not even to run a simple errand. But Even Evensen rode that rusty bike on the Queen K surrounded by $10,000 super bikes and tons of fancy kits, and he did not care.
Slowtwitch: Thank you for your time Even, or should I call you Old Grizzly?
Even Evensen: At the age of 67, I respond to all of them: Griz, Old Grizzly, Bob, and of course, Everisto. When I was in my mid 40s, I trained mostly with the local young bucks - to whom I was ancient - and they nicknamed me Old Grizzly, of which I was and am very flattered. Now, many of them are in their mid 40s. Yes!!
ST: Maybe I ought to call you Bob, but then you might call me Guenther.
Even: You will always be Guenther to me, and Frederick or Heinrich to my wife, Gayle.
ST: Well Bob, you just finished Ironman Los Cabos after a 9-year hiatus. Why such a long break? Or, why now race another Ironman?
Even: Since starting at age 40, I have always loved Ironman. From 1991 till 2002, I did one or two Ironman events a year, and was very fortunate to compete at Kona 5 times. I was not a star, just on the bubble of qualifying each time. I was in a bike/car accident in 2002, which set me back considerably. I managed to quality again for Kona at Coeur d’Alene in 2006, and that was something I was quite proud about. My body was not too happy, but I managed to cross the finish line at Kona just ahead of 76-year old Madonna Buder - yes!!!
Oh, back to the question. For the last several years, I have had some geezer medical setbacks, but still aspired to return to Kona, hence my trip to Los Cabos. Even though I did not quality, it was tears of joy to cross the finish line - even at 14+ hours.
ST: You started competing in triathlon 27 years ago at age 40. What inspired you back then?
Even: In 1988 Gayle, my trophy wife for over 40 years, joined an exercise program at her work, which led to swim, bike, and run stuff, and eventually a local sprint triathlon. Even though I could not run the full 5k, I joined in, finishing 12/24 in my age division. Except for a bit of masters swimming, I had not done any sports, biking, or running since I was in my teens. Despite getting my butt kicked at that first sprint, the light bulb went on, and I realized that this was a sport for me. Good genes were not a requirement, just the obsession to beat one's brains out daily. I loved it, and within a couple of years had made the leap to Ironman races. Like many triathletes, I am a type A, OCD guy, for whom Ironman is the perfect outlet, and it is legal, and it is fun!!
ST: At Ironman Florida you were badly injured by a truck while riding your bike. What do you remember from that accident?
Even: For those readers that have been around for awhile, they may remember the guy that was run over by an impatient driver (at 50 mph) during the bike leg of Ironman Florida 2002. I was that guy. This is not a sympathy call, just background. I crushed or fractured all 5 lumbars, which were fused together and had permanent rods and screws installed. I fractured both ankles and one foot, and seven ribs, and had a few abrasions. Oh, and for bike geeks, my bike was literally severed in half - behind the seat. I spent 5 weeks in rehab in Florida and another 6 weeks in a wheel chair 4 months in a “walker”, 8 months in a back brace. It was quite an experience, but I was not paralyzed! I gradually began walking and as I said before, in 2006 did Ironman Coeur d’Alene, placing 3rd in the 55-59 age group, and punched my ticket back to Kona!! Yes, I was a very proud hombre. The aspect that most sticks with me was the love and comfort I received from Gayle, our close knit local group of triathlon friends, and from the triathlon community nationwide. RaceCenter, an Oregon Sports magazine, set up an online rehab fund for me, with over 250 people contributing. It was something for which I will always be grateful.
ST: Did the driver ever get charged?
Even: I believe he received a minor citation of some kind, but I really do not recall. Much to Gayle’s chagrin, I forgave him immediately, as he did not intend to run over me, he was just impatient. If you are wondering, we did not sue him nor did we sue Ironman.
ST: You raced in Penticton 6 times and Kona 5 times. Looking back, what is your fondest memory of these Ironman events?
Even: Of course, I am proud to have raced in Kona, but Penticton was the most awesome race and venue. The residents, not just the merchants, loved the event and were extremely interested and friendly. Plus, most of the hotels were all along the swim area waterfront and affordable, with kitchens. Since everyone was in the same area, it was literally an Ironman family for that week and was more about the average guys than the pros. My wife is not a big fan of the obsessive nature and “me” about the sport, but she loved going to Penticton to support our friends and me.
ST: How much has changed in the sport since you started in the late 80s?
Even: Obviously, it has become more elitist and very expensive. But, Ironman does provide a service for the sport that I love doing, and that service is very thorough and professional. I tend to ignore the elitist aspect of it, and enjoy what I get from it.
ST: Has anyone ever called you a yuppie?
Even: Can you hear me chuckling? Not even close.
ST: Talk about your recent race in Mexico.
Even: For some reason, I was not nervous, even though I had not completed an Ironman in 9 years. The water was very warm, about 82 degrees, so no wetsuits allowed. I swam relaxed, with very little effort, and fast. I exited the ocean feeling good in 1:08, and that meant 2nd in the 65-69 age group and 200th overall. The bike segment was very difficult from start to finish, with twice as much climbing as Penticton and much more than Kona. I rode hard, but realized that I needed to back off if I was to finish. There were many DNFs because of the difficult bike course. Even though two in my age group rode faster than me, I rode faster than 400 young guys, so I was proud and happy about the 6:48 bike split. My run time was 6:20 and even though my time was slow, I worked very hard every step and fought my mind not to quit. So, I was very happy to complete the marathon. Near the end, most people were walking, young and old, and we all helped each other to make our goal of finishing. Yes, it was like a “family of walkers” - Mexicanos, gringos, Germans, Argentinians, and even one Nihon-jin woman.
ST: Something though really stuck out.
Even: I learned a lesson about the Mexican people. Like the Japanese, they have great respect for their old people. Even though young triathletes were rapidly running by me, I always got the most cheers from the Mexicans spectators - not just one or two, but entire families. 90% of the course was in town, so for the entire time, the Mexicans were helping me to continue going forward. It was inspirational and helped me continue onward. When I passed my hotel/restaurant, 5 waiters came out into the street, cheering “Go Everisto!!! Go Everisto!!! El Ironman!!!” I had tears of joy in my eyes from all of the love and support these beautiful people gave me.
ST: Did you speak to the waiters after the race?
Even: Oh, did I ever. I speak a considerable amount of Espanol, well, Gringolingo. So, yes, I spoke with all of the waiters and other Spanish speaking workers at the hotel/restaurant, and they were thrilled that this old, bald gringo finished such an event. They were truly excited for me and it was hugs all around. My wife reminded me with a smile, “Even, you may be a celebrity in this small hotel/town, but you are not the fu... Rolling Stones”. We both got a big chuckle out of that.
ST: I think you left something behind.
Even: Before we left San Jose del Cabo, I signed my trophy and left it for the hotel: “Para Tropicana (the hotel). Gracias por todos. (thanks for everything) Everisto Evensen.” It is now on display in the Restaurant.
ST: So what is next?
Even: Not sure yet. Still negotiating with the boss, Gayle. Other than enjoying the training and the sport, my main goal is to get back to the beach in Kona. Maybe at age 70.
ST: Is that 1993 Cannondale you have now retired or is it still serving a purpose?
Even: The magical Cannondale 900 that carried me through 6 Ironman events, and a young buck friend to a 9:58 at Coeur d’Alene while I was recovering, is currently a back up and used at times on the indoor trainer. Yes, the $50 trainer version.
ST: Many folks (myself included) really like the newest gadgets and gear, but that is apparently not you.
Even: I am not opposed to the high tech gear, but I just have not gotten into it. A heart rate monitor with only the HR blinking is as high tech as I get.
ST: You reside outside of Portland, Oregon in a house that you built room by room. Can you talk about that adventure?
Even: After graduating from UCLA in 1970, I was part of the counter culture movement and hitchhiked to Oregon where we have lived since. Myself and two other hippie guys did not want to pay rent, so we bought 12 acres of forest land and started to camp out. Being middle class city boys, we knew nothing of country living and zero about building. But, we soon realized that it rained in Oregon, and we were not gong to be able to camp out all winter. So, sitting around the campfire, smoking joints, and reading books on how to build, two of us built little cabins and the third guy lived in his VW van. Yeah, in retrospect, classic stuff.
Gayle and I got together and with our 2 kids gradually built our home over the next 20 years. Of course, we had no electricity for several years, drank water out of a creek, and used an outhouse for 12 years. That stopped when my teenage daughter complained, “ Dad, I am the only kid in the high school that does not have an indoor toilet.” I installed one the next week.
Except for paying $50 a month for my part of the 12 acres, we never had a fu… crushing mortgage. We lived within our means, and only added rooms as we could pay cash for them. I would like to say that I planned it that way, but I did not. It just happened, and I feel very fortunate that it did. Middle class kids that got the opportunity to learn where everything comes from: shelter, electricity, water, etc. I did all of the building, electrical, plumbing, etc. Some not so good, but still we literally built our house with our own hands.
ST: What about that jersey in those racing images?
Even: The white jersey with the blue sleeves was the only jersey I had for 10 years. I wore it in 14 Ironman races. I chose it because it had no logos on it. I did not want to look like I was in NASCAR. I finally replaced it... with another white jersey.
ST: Anything else we should know?
Even: I look forward to seeing you again next year at Kona time, and we can resume our Guenther/Bob Show.
