Pastor Andrew Mattick of Malibu United Methodist Church will be competing in the Malibu Triathlon on Sunday. The former half-marathon “Team in Training” member last year cheered on triathlon participants. Inspired by the athletes last year, he decided to train for the event this year.
His first hurdle was his lack of being in shape, and he did not own a bike. Fast forward to April of this year, where he found himself dropping weight from diet and exercise (he has lost more than 60 pounds as of this month)-Mattick received a hand-me-down road bike. He was ready to register for the event. The second hurdle was the registration was full. So, he took his plan to the people and members of Malibu United Methodist Church, becoming official “Team Rev. Big Dog” sponsors. They raised the funds for him to enter the charity/nonprofit category and get training with Devo Brown, himself a Malibu Tri veteran and local trainer at Malibu Fitness. Living in Malibu West, “Rev. Big Dog” was afforded the opportunity to train on the same beaches and roads that the race will be held on. The pastor’s progress can be followed at his online training journal blog, http://teamrbd.blogspot.com.
Malibu Methodist will be celebrating its first annual Triathlon Sunday by cheering on Mattick, then gathering for worship at 10:30 a.m. at 30128 Morning View Drive. Classic rock songs provided by “The V-Band” will welcome Mattick as he joins the congregation fresh from the race, ready to deliver his Sunday sermon. For more information, call 310.457.7505.