Ben Hanan, 40, is the managing partner for the Sarasota office of Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, LLP. Triathlons keep him on his toes.

Why triathlons? I played a lot of tennis growing up in Sarasota, but when I came back here after school I realized I couldn’t fit into somebody’s else’s schedule. Running I could do at 5:30 in the morning and still see my kids at night when I got home. I was training for a marathon and messed up my knee, so I started biking. Around 2003 I watched my wife cross the finish line for the Siesta Key Triathlon, and I thought, “I could do that.”

Accomplishments? I did a Half-Ironman in Miami [1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run]. I’ve also competed in two 10-hour adventure races, which involve things like off-road mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, orienteering and running. Anything to change it up.

Training schedule: I normally try to get in four to six days a week. Start with boxing at Uppercut Fitness on Monday mornings, Wednesday I’ll bike or swim, Thursday run, Friday mornings I rope one of my daughters into swimming with me, Saturday or Sunday I try to get in a longer bike or run. That’s all depending on life getting in the way.

Do you adjust your training based on the race? Absolutely. Some distances I can fake. The Half Ironman, I’d say you start a good four to six months out. Anything shorter than that, as long as I’m in reasonable shape [I can compete]. I’ve graduated past the “I have to kill myself to save 3.5 seconds” phase. Now I’m just out there to complete it.

Advice? Don’t be afraid. There’s a wonderful triathlon community in Sarasota. The local races are great for beginners. It’s not a cutthroat environment. There’s lots of room in the water and on the street for all the participants.