Local Triathlete Preps for World Championship

Calling Joe Cribben an overachiever is an understatement.

The 42-year-old Simi Valley father of two works as a typesetter by day and swim coach at night.

But those are just his jobs. His passion is pushing his body to the limit.

On Sept. 5, Cribben will have a chance to test that limit when he travels to Sado Island, Japan, to represent the United States in this year’s ITU Triathlon Long Distance World Championship.

“I tell him that he needs sleep, but obviously he doesn’t seem to think so,” said Madeline Hess of her co-worker who trains several hours each day.

“I like the challenge,” Cribben said. “I got bored with marathons.”

Cribben is one of 60 people from the United States chosen for the triathlon event and is the only Ventura County resident.

His reward? A chance to compete in a 1.8-mile swim, followed by a 65.6-mile bike race and a 15.5-mile run. The competition only allows five hours and 30 minutes for the swimming and biking portion of the race.

Despite a weekly workout regime that includes a six-hour bike ride and a three-hour run, Cribben is not quite ready. He still must raise more than $1,500 to cover the costs of the trip.

In his most recent triathlon event, Cribben completed the last leg, a grueling foot race, with broken toes.

“You get to the point where you don’t really think about the pain,” he said.

Admiring such dedication, his co-workers at Sage Publications Inc. in Newbury Park are trying to raise money to help with some of Cribben’s expenses, which include air fare and lodging.

A companywide fund-raiser and bake sale last week collected $350. On Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the company will hold a rummage sale in the parking lot of its office at 2455 Teller Road to raise the rest of the money.

For more information, call (805) 499-0721, Ext. 7114.

“I think that being the only triathlete in Ventura County to make the finals is very exciting,” Hess said. “We’re just trying to be like a family here and help him.”