Megan Steeber, of Spokane, who once weighed 345 pounds, lost 175 pounds and began training for endurance events. Steeber, 37, will compete in her first Ironman-length triathlon on Sunday in Coeur d’Alene, joining about 2,000 others. (SR photo: Dan Pelle)

Megan Steeber has a story to tell. A story about weighing so much that her electronic scale stopped working. About losing half that weight, gaining a new life and competing in her first triathlon. Ironman Coeur d’Alene sponsors were so impressed they awarded the 37-year-old Spokane woman a free entry into Sunday’s race. The prize is worth $700, which Steeber called a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, because I couldn’t afford this on my own.” But if ever a gift came with strings attached, this was it. When Steeber got the news in early May, she said it left her “breathless,” but nothing compared to her workout regimen of late: 20 hours a week, including five-hour bike rides and three-hour runs. Fortunately, Steeber already was in training. Last month in Medical Lake, she finished the equivalent of half an Ironman, or 70.3 miles/Jim Allen, SR. More here.

Question: Do you find Ironman stories like this to be compelling?