Inside a small lab on the third floor of Agronomy Hall, two pairs of running shoes and a water bottle sit on a metal bookshelf. Wearing a third pair of running shoes and seated at his computer is Dan Barker, assistant scientist in soil fertility research at Iowa State.

For nine years, Barker has been participating and succeeding in the sport of triathlon. During that time, he has raced in approximately 45 triathlons of varying distances in locations ranging from Wisconsin to Arizona.

This fall, the 34-year-old Barker found his stride as he qualified to participate as an amateur with the U.S. team in the International Triathlon Union Long Course World Championship on Nov. 19, 2006, in Canberra, Australia.

“We got offered a spot on the team and had a month and a half to get passports and make travel arrangements,” Barker said, wearing his official USA socks and Australia T-shirt.

When talking about the sport that consumes most of his free time, Barker refers to himself as “we.”

“Whenever you have a family, you all do it,” he said. “I don’t consider it just me.”

Barker’s family consists of his wife of nine years and three sons, who travel with him to most of his races.

“Me and the boys always make time,” said Michelle Barker. “We’ve been taking our kids to triathlons since the first one was 3 weeks old.”

Barker qualified for the world championship race by earning a seventh-place finish in the 30- to 34-year-old age division at the National Championships on Sept. 16, 2006, in St. Louis.

After accepting the invitation, Barker had less than two months to train and recover from his previous race, which consisted of a 4 kilometer swim, 120 km bike, and 30 km run.

“Around here, everyone is combining corn in October,” Barker said.

The race, which was held in the opposite hemisphere and on the opposite side of the road, had its share of opposites among the participants.

During his time in Australia, Barker raced alongside a woman who refused to quit as she swam and biked through the pain of a fractured pelvis, only skipping out on the running portion.

“When you do stuff like this, it seems normal,” Barker said. “Whether you swallow a gallon of water during the swim or come close to getting hit by a car at 50 mph.”

Bike World store manager Steve Lauber has been working with Barker since he moved to Ames.

“I plan to live vicariously through his participation with Team USA,” Lauber said.

Bike World, 126 S. 3rd St., which also sponsors the ISU Triathlon Club, plans to help Barker with the cost of a new bicycle. Advanced-level triathlon bikes start at $3,000.

During the offseason, Barker runs 30 to 40 minutes at Lied Recreation Athletic Center during lunch.

“I do it just for fun,” he said, “so that I don’t gain too much weight over the winter.”

Barker attributes the flexible hours of his job with helping him be successful in his training.

Setting attainable goals is key to having fun in the sport, he said.

The dream race for every triathlete and the one that got Barker into the sport is the Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. This longer and more popular race is continually getting more difficult to qualify for.

“If it takes me 25 to 30 years, that’s OK,” Barker said.