West Seattle teen to spend Saturday swimming, biking, running ‘solo Ironman’ triathlon

That’s Herman Meyer, who you might see around West Seattle tomorrow attempting an intense atyletic feat. Herman’s friend Riley Nachtrieb tells the story:

West Seattle High School senior Herman Meyer (17 years old) is attempting to complete a solo Ironman around West Seattle on Saturday, September 25th. This is an unorganized event.

Not only is he doing his first Ironman triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run), he is doing it alone, competing only with himself.

Herman will be attempting this as a personal endeavor. It is purely driven by his determination to finish the 140.3 miles. He says, “I talked about it with a friend and I thought it would be fun to do. I have always wanted to do something like it, so I committed.”

He’s going to start the swim at 8 am near the Alki Bathhouse. Around one and a half hours later, he will be transitioning to his bike, riding loops around West Seattle until he reaches the 112-mile mark at his house- This will be around seven and a half hours later. From there, he will continue onto his 26.2 mile run. If everything goes according to plan, he will finish his solo Ironman around 12 am.

Herman will be accompanied by friends and family for safety, support, and pacing. West Seattle High School friends will be following on paddle boards; His parents, Kathrine and Wesley Meyer, will be following on bikes; And WSHS alum Riley Nachtrieb, who attempted to run the first 140mi Olympic Discovery Trail FKT, will be running with him.

On Saturday, if you see a person swimming alongside paddle boards, a cyclist wearing a pink helmet, or a couple people running on Alki at zero dark thirty, that is Herman! The public is always welcomed to show support publicly and virtually throughout this amazing effort.

On Saturday, you can follow along live on Instagram: @hermanasaurus_rex and @rileyknachtrieb.

33 Replies to "West Seattle teen to spend Saturday swimming, biking, running 'solo Ironman' triathlon"

  • Curtis September 24, 2021 (2:14 pm)

    Go Herman!!

  • Chris K September 24, 2021 (2:46 pm)

    What an inspiring young man.  I wish him the best,

  • Karen September 24, 2021 (2:51 pm)

    👏👏👏cheering for you HermanGood luck👌

  • Geoff P. September 24, 2021 (3:52 pm)

    Good luck Herman! I hope we can read more here later . . . about your success.😊

  • LB September 24, 2021 (4:03 pm)

    What a cool thing to do! Good luck and we’ll be rooting for you!

  • Melissa Hook September 24, 2021 (4:10 pm)

    We will be following your updates tomorrow! GO HERMAN GO!

  • Laura McCarthy September 24, 2021 (4:21 pm)

    Go Herman!!

  • Steve Manning September 24, 2021 (6:22 pm)

    It’s actually 140.6, let’s not cheat him out of the 1/3 mile! 

  • 140.6! September 24, 2021 (6:24 pm)

    Have fun! 2.4 miles swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run= 140.6! Not 140.3

  • Sbre September 24, 2021 (6:55 pm)

    Pacing and hydration are your friends,  and don’t forget your bag balm!!!

  • Sunflower September 24, 2021 (7:25 pm)

    Good for you, have fun!

  • Mrs_jonesb September 24, 2021 (7:36 pm)

    This is worth getting up early on a Saturday to go and cheer you on!! Go Herman Go!! West Seattle is rooting for you!!! We’ll see you at the finish line! (We won’t really be there, but we will be in spirit! And possibly along the way!) At 17, I think I was amazed if I could just make it through my basketball practice, without wanting to pass out! Ha!) You Rock Herman!

  • bikerep September 24, 2021 (8:00 pm)

    GO HERMAN, turn it up to 11!! 

  • Mok4315 September 24, 2021 (8:49 pm)

    Nice Herman, that sounds awesome!!  If you run by the Admiral Theater after 12pm, we’ll throw a couple water bottles and popcorn your way :)

  • Oma September 24, 2021 (9:25 pm)

    Blessings to you, Herman. 💝 

  • Michelle S September 25, 2021 (6:32 am)

    DUDE…. YOU ROCK!!!! GOOD LUCK HERMAN YOU GOT THIS!!! CAN I JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR TELLING PEOPLE THIS STORY ABOUT A YOUNG MAN DOING GREAT THINGS THIS MADE MY MORNING …..PEACE LOVE AND HAPPINESS

  • BRN September 25, 2021 (8:52 am)

    Saw him in the water this morning! Honked and waved! Go Herman!!

  • Katherine Meyer September 25, 2021 (10:38 am)

    Herman’s Mom here…..Herman finished the swim in about 1 hour 48 minutes. He said he felt strong. The water was pretty flat & of course, the weather is amazing. Off to the bike leg.Thank you for all the positives online, and for the support at Alki this morning. Special thanks to friends & family for swimming & paddling with him, lending gear & always showing up for us 💗

  • Katherine Meyer September 25, 2021 (1:09 pm)

    50 miles into the ride. Thanks for delivering him Sour Patch Kids, Riley!

    • WSB September 25, 2021 (1:37 pm)

      Thank you for the updates!

  • Katherine Meyer September 25, 2021 (5:57 pm)

    Done with the ride, 7 hours 40 minutes. Looking good. Fueling at home & along the way: Pasta, oranges, bananas, a special sandwich from Rose, bubble water  “I’m ready to run a few miles….” 

    • sam-c September 25, 2021 (7:35 pm)

      Wow, that’s amazing ! Way to go !!!

  • BRN September 25, 2021 (6:25 pm)

    Katherine Meyer, thank you for the updates! What a wonderful young man! Can’t wait for the next update!!

  • Jennifer September 25, 2021 (8:30 pm)

    By now I hope you are fast asleep.  Great job!  

  • MATT MCCLUNG September 25, 2021 (9:54 pm)

    Great job Herman! Finish up the run and put this one in the books. So proud of you buddy! 👏 

  • Erik Nachtrieb September 25, 2021 (10:17 pm)

    Herman is still getting after it at mile 17 with Riley Nachtrieb and his Mom pacing him in the marathon distance. (Photo at 10pm).

    • WSB September 25, 2021 (10:34 pm)

      Thanks for the update!

  • K E M September 25, 2021 (11:30 pm)

    GO HERMAN! So awesome. Saw him in the water this morning and have been wondering all day. 

  • Katherine Meyer September 26, 2021 (1:42 am)

    Herman did it! He started just after 8 am and finished strong at 12:40 am! He had to dig deep, and he did. So appreciate the love & support from friends, family & the West Seattle community in general. SO PROUD! Thanks for showing us how it’s done🥇

    • WSB September 26, 2021 (1:51 am)

      Awesome! Congratulations! I’d publish a separate update now but we’re in the middle of breaking news so that’ll wait till morning.

    • K E M September 26, 2021 (8:23 am)

      WOOOOO! Herman, you’re amazing. I hope you get to sleep and carb-reload for the next few… weeks! Congrats!

  • Les September 26, 2021 (1:11 pm)

    WAY TO GO HERMAN! So so so proud of you. Lmk when your next one lol is so we can be there in person to root you on!!!!!

  • Bob Harlow September 29, 2021 (5:07 am)

    Congrats – You Herman are an IRONMAN! – Welcome to the Club.

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