The Remarkable Journey of an Ironman

1. Set Focus 
Pose this essential question: What propels the human spirit to overcome adversity?

2. Read and Discuss 
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence:

• Why did Nikic want to compete in the Ironman triathlon? (Nikic had participated in sports in high school. But after a series of surgeries, he had grown weak, and he wanted to prove that he could do more than he ever had before. He also felt that competing in the Ironman would mean that he could accomplish anything, including having his own home, living independently, and getting married one day and having his own family.)

• What challenges did Nikic overcome to complete the Ironmam triathlon? (Nikic had to complete the swimming segment tethered to his guide, for safety reasons. During the cycling segment, because of balance issues, he had to stop to hydrate, using up valuable time. When stopping at the 22nd mile—early in that part of the race—his legs were bitten by red ants and became swollen. He also crashed his bike at one point. During the marathon segment, Nikic endured incredible pain. His feet burned, and his back muscles felt like they “had been put through a shredder.”)

• What effect have sports had on Nikic throughout his life? (Throughout his life, sports have had a positive effect on Nikic. In high school, he felt excluded by the other kids but found solace in sports. Completing the Ironman triathlon helped him realize he had no limits on what he could do.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity Sum It Up. Have students use the tips and the model summary to write an objective summary of the article about Chris Nikic.

4. Writing Prompt
Research and write a one-page profile of one of the athletes featured in the “Pushing Boundaries” sidebar.

5. Classroom Debate
Should high schools include extreme sports as part of their athletic programs?

6. Quiz
Use the quiz to assess students’ comprehension.