Outpatient Surgery nurse completes full Ironman Challenge

Filomemo Santos, a Henry Mayo Outpatient Surgery nurse, completed a full Ironman Triathlon Challenge in Sacramento, which included a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run.

Filomemo Santos, a Henry Mayo Outpatient Surgery nurse, completed a full Ironman Triathlon Challenge in Sacramento, which included a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run.

Santos’ path towards a healthier lifestyle began in 2017 while caring for his mother who had diabetes, which led to kidney disease and an amputation of her lower leg.

“Seeing the effects of this opened my eyes that I needed to make changes in my life in order to lead as healthy of a life as I can,” Santos said. “I promised my mom that I would do a half ironman in her honor. So 9 months after she passed, I completed the Santa Cruz Ironman.”

Prior to completing the full Ironman Challenge, Santos completed two half-Ironman challenges, which included a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. He also completed multiple marathons before taking on the full Ironman Challenge.

Santos said his training for the Ironman Challenge and marathons helped him lose more than 60 pounds and has made him “feel better than ever.” He was able to use training from his time in the United States military to help him get into shape for upcoming challenges.

“My wife was a great support,” Santos said. “She has always been my support crew, my coach, and made sure I always trained and was always waiting for me at my finish lines. She made sure I never quit. She has helped me achieve my Ironman Challenge.”

Santos has been a nurse at Henry Mayo for 12 years, previously working in the Intensive Care Unit, Behavioral Health Unit, and now in the Outpatient Surgery Center.