Minneapolis, MN -- An athlete with a history of kidney failure will make his mark July 25 when he becomes the first person on dialysis to compete in an Ironman Competition.

Shad Ireland has dreamed of competing in the event since he watched the 1993 Ironman World Championship from the hospital bed where he was recovering from a kidney transplant.

He spent six weeks in a coma, wasted down to 75 pounds and was told he wouldn't live, but managed to bounce back from the surgery.

Ireland's doctors say he shouldn't have the muscle tone he has because dialysis depletes the body of protein, but he's beaten the odds and will compete in the Ironman USA Competition in Minneapolis, swimming 24 miles, biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles.

He also wants to be a role model for other patients on dialysis so they'll know, in his words, "You can do it. You have to have faith in yourself."

If Ireland finishes the Minneapolis Ironman in under 10 hours he'll qualify for this October's Ironman World Championship.

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