Two weeks ago, world champion and Olympic triathlete Andy Potts added a new title to his long list of accomplishments: Ironman. And he has a white “;P”; emblazoned on his calf to prove it — thanks to a sunburn around the body marking that distinguished him as a professional athlete on the big day.

“;The reason I fell in love with the sport was because of what Kona offers,”; he said. “;When I got on the Big Island, I had this feeling that there's more to racing the Ironman than just doing a triathlon.”; No matter what happened, he would push himself to complete the event. “;I felt like you have to honor the race and the heritage. I'm not a quitter, and I wasn't about to start then.”;

  The Olympic distance specialist (1,500-meter swim, 40K bike ride, 10K run) said Ironman “;was the hardest race I've ever done — without a doubt.”; But he finished an impressive seventh in a deep professional field in his Ironman debut, posting 48:40 for the 2.4-mile swim, 4 hours and 46 minutes for the 112-mile bike ride and 2 hours and 54 minutes for the 26.2-mile marathon — for a total of 8 hours and 33 minutes. The best result of all? “;I was thrilled. I went out there to become an Ironman and achieved a lot more in the process.”;

The 31-year-old Potts was in Honolulu this week to offer two personal training sessions to winners of the MyCokeRewards.com contest (Coca-Cola is one of his major sponsors) and sign autographs for fans at the Bishop Street 24-Hour Fitness.

He shared tips with budding triathletes, several of whom arrived sweaty after running to meet Potts with ready-to-sign photographs of him taken during the last few yards of Ironman. Potts told Steve Chellappa, preparing for his first Ironman 70.3 (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, 13.1-mile run), to carefully build into his pace during the first five minutes of each leg. Closing your mouth for the first five minutes of the run, for instance, will help conserve strength, added Potts. And “;it's much better to finish with a flourish than to barely finish.”;

  At 6 feet 2 and 175 pounds, Potts is leaner than he was as an All-American swimmer at the University of Michigan. But he didn't discover triathlons until age 25, while working a full-time job in sales for a payroll company. His talent became evident immediately.

Since turning pro in 2003, he's represented the United States in the 2004 Olympics, won the ITU World Cup three times, placed first in the grueling Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon three times, won the Ironman 70.3 World Championship and decorated the Wheaties box. He will attempt to defend his 70.3 title on Nov. 8 in Clearwater, Fla. The Colorado Springs, Colo.-based athlete races (and travels) approximately 15 times each year.

Now that he's the father of a toddler, Potts said he's able to train 30 to 33 hours per week because of support at home. “;I have a wonderful wife,”; he said. “;She does most of the juggling.”;

His counsel to people who want to achieve greater fitness? “;You don't necessarily need to do a triathlon to challenge yourself.”; But since it comprises three lifetime sports — activities you can do on your own at any stage of life — completing a triathlon is a nice goal for anyone, he said. His success and enthusiasm have inspired his mother and uncle to delve into the three activities.

Consistency should be the primary focus. “;Once you start, don't just give it two weeks to see results,”; he said between autographs. Instead, commit to a lifetime of honest effort for long-term results. “;As best you can, live life on your terms. Hopefully that includes an active lifestyle.”;