Background: Baldwin's endurance genesis occurred in Minneapolis, where he ran cross country and cross-country skied in high school. After running four marathons in college and earning a degree in architectural engineering, Baldwin, 30, moved to San Diego seven years ago for a job. He entered his first triathlon in 2001, then sampled his first half-Ironman two years later. You might say the guy has some talent. He placed fifth overall at that first half-Ironman in Keauhou, Hawaii. Baldwin raced at Ironman Hawaii for the third time last month, covering the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run in a personal-best 9 hours, 25 minutes.
Quick hits: Baldwin lives in Del Mar, works as a landscape architect and in his base training phase for Ironman Hawaii worked out 20-22 hours a week.
Romantic: During race week for Ironman Hawaii, Baldwin proposed to his fiancée, Paula Gomez. He popped the question at Waikoloa Beach, the swim start for their first triathlon.
Memorable moment: Minutes before the start of Ironman Hawaii, Baldwin swam to a spot by himself and took in the sight: thousands lined along the stone wall, a helicopter flying overhead and Hawaiian drums beating. “If ever I have a bad day at work, the rest of my life I'll think back to that moment and it'll make everything feel OK.”
A climber: Baldwin's favorite workout is a 90-mile bike ride from Del Mar to Palomar Mountain, 12 miles up the mountain and back. “You get to see so many different landscapes,” said the landscape architect.
Newspapers in athletics: In the winter when Baldwin makes that Palomar Mountain ride, the temperature might be in the high 70s when he leaves Del Mar and snowing atop Palomar. To adapt to the cold, he stuffs newspaper in his pants and shirt at the base of the mountain.
– DON NORCROSS
