Debbie Fetterman

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Ahmed Zaher, known for his charismatic ability to motivate others, benefited from his own personal coaching.

Zaher, 45, of Dallas, placed second in his age group at the June 13 Eagleman Ironman 70.3, five months after a serious accident. He earned his seventh slot into the coveted Kona Ironman World Championships in October and a spot in November's 70.3 championships in Clearwater, Fla.

"To have the outcome he had, I was in shock," said his wife, Staci Brode. "He was in shock. He has a really high pain tolerance. He's immensely focused. For him, it's all or nothing."

In late January, Zaher was hit by a truck while training on his bike in Hawaii. He broke six ribs, punctured his lung and shattered his collar bone, which needed a plate and eight screws to reconstruct.

Doctors told him he probably wouldn't compete for two years. In mid-February, he could hardly walk. He had to build up step by step. The doctors attribute his quick recuperation to his strength and good health.

Despite limited training, Zaher finished the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run in four hours, 28 minutes and 36 seconds.

It wasn't easy. By the time he finished the swim and the bike, he hurt everywhere. He expected to walk the entire run.

But he then started telling himself what he tells clients.

"'The other guys are in pain, too,' " he reminded himself. 'They are not walking.' I took a deep breath and took off running again, one step at a time, one mile at a time."

Before Zaher focuses on Ironman training, he will help Brodi direct this weekend's PlayTri Festival, a two-day multi-sport extravaganza in Las Colinas. Zaher said he might compete in Sunday's sprint race, which serves as the USA South Midwest Regional Championship, because there will be strong competition.

Zaher represented Egypt as a swimmer in the 1984 Olympics. He is founder and head coach of PlayTri, a Dallas-area triathlon company that offers individual coaching and group training and produces numerous triathlons.

Zaher said his underlying motivation remains staying strong and healthy so he can play an active role in the lives of his four kids.

"We invest so much time and money into being healthy," he said. "Usually we can't see the payoff until we're really old. I got a payoff right there [after his accident]. It showed me I'm on the right track."

Briefly: Saturday's Dallas Running Club's Independence 5K/10K will serve as a time trail for its fall training program. Half marathon training participants are encouraged to run the 5K. Full marathon trainees should run the 10K to help determine pace groups. ... Capital One Bank Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot officials have made two changes, based on participant feedback. Eight-mile participants now have the option to be timed. Those who don't want to be timed will start 15 minutes later. Organizers hope this will reduce start-line congestion. The 5K, traditionally an untimed fun run, will now offer optional timing. ... Online registration is available for the Feb. 27, 2010 Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon, Ultra, Half, RadioShack 10K, adult 5K and Kids 5K. For information, visit www.cowtownmarathon.org. ... Cowtown organizers will implement caps after record attendance of nearly 18,000 runners in 2009. The caps are: 500 in the 50K, 1,500 Marathon and 6,000 for the half. ... The Michelob Ultra No. 11 Katy 5K had a record 5,004 registered participants in May and netted $115,000 to maintain and improve the popular Katy Trail.

SATURDAY – DRC Independence 5K/10K Fun Run and Training Program Time Trial, Sunset Bay, White Rock Lake, Dallas, 8 a.m., members free, others $10, 214-432-6619 or www.dallasrunningclub.com.

SATURDAY – Declaration Dash 5K and Kids K, Town Hall, Double Oak, Texas (in Denton County near Flower Mound), 7:45 a.m., 5K $20, Kids K $15, www.flowermoundstriders.com.

SATURDAY – Fireworks 1K and 5K, Stonebridge Beach Club, 6203 Virginia Parkway, McKinney, 8 a.m., 5K $25, $1K $20, 214-726-9886 or michhudd@sbcglobal .net or www.stonebridgeracers.com.

SATURDAY – Flagpole 8K and Tadpole 2K, Flagpole Hill at Northwest Highway and Goforth, Dallas, 7:30 a.m., $30 today, $35 race day, 214-821-0909 or www.thrustonracing.com.

SATURDAY – The Ryan Run 5K run-walk, Daggett Elementary School, 958 Page Street near Elizabeth Boulevard, Fort Worth, 7:30 a.m., $22 today, $25 race day, 817-690-5640 or www.runningintheusa .com/jeph.

SATURDAY – Trophy Club Fourth of July 5K and 1-mile, Lake Cities Church of Christ, 280 Indian Creek Road, Trophy Club, 7 a.m., 682-831-4603 or www.ci .trophyclub.tx.us.

SATURDAY – Denton Parks & Recreation Liberty 5K and 1-mile, North Lakes Recreation Center, 2001 W. Windsor, Denton, 7:30 a.m., $20, 940-349-7275 or www.dentonparks.com.

SATURDAY – University Park Firecracker 5K, Curtis Park, University Park, 7:30 a.m., $20, 214-987-5488 or www.uptexas.org.

SATURDAY – Liberty 5K and 1-mile, Stewart Creek Park, 3700 Sparks Road, The Colony, 8 a.m., 972-625-1106 or www.libertybythelake.com.

SATURDAY – Firecracker 5000 5K and 1-mile, Trinity Park, Fort Worth, 8 a.m., $25, 817-999-0375, www.runtimeracingservices.com.

SATURDAY – Kiefer Swim Races, The Marriott Las Colinas, 223 West Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, 300-, 750- and 1,500-meter swims, $30 through July 1, $35 race day, 214-405-5092 or www.playtri.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 5 – Playtri Festival Including the Richardson Bike Mart International Distance Triathlon (1,500-meter swim/24-mile bike/10K run), the Playtri Sprint-USA Triathlon South Midwest Regional Championship (500-meter swim/12-mile bike/5K run), and My First Tri (300-meter swim/12-mile bike/2-mile run), The Marriott Las Colinas, 223 West Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, 7 a.m., International Distance: $100 today, Sprint and My First Tri: $85 today. No race day registration, 214-405-5092 or www.playtri.com.

WEDNESDAYS, JULY 8-AUG. 12 – Jogger 5K Series, Bachman Lake, just east of the Bachman Lake Recreation Center, on Bachman Drive between Northwest Highway and Webb Chapel, 7 p.m., $25 per race, 214-821-0909 or www.thrustonracing.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 11 – Race against Misogyny & Sexism (RAMS III) 5K, Elm Grove Pavilion, River Legacy Parks, Arlington, 7:45 a.m., $8 through Tuesday, $10 after, 817-265-4578 or e-mail. jephaa@yahoo.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 11 – Granbury Freedom 5K and 1-mile fun run, Hood County Public Library, 222 N. Travis Street, Granbury, 7 a.m., $30, http://cadence raceproductions.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 12 – Iron Brothers Super Sprint Tri (400-meter open water swim/11-mile bike/2-mile run), Lynn Creek Park, Joe Pool Lake, Grand Prairie, 7:15 a.m., Individual: $60 through July 8, $80 July 9-11. Teams: $120 through July 8, $140 July 9-11. No race day registration or packet pick-up, USAT membership required. $39 annual fee or $10 for a one-day permit, 817-707-0500 or www.ironheardrp .com.