MANITOU BEACH, Mich. (AP) — Bud Knight can easily recall the day that led him to pursue a healthier way of life and ultimately enter triathlon competitions. It was Nov. 8, 2006.

Knight, a Manitou Beach resident and registered nurse at Foote Hospital in Jackson, had just left work on his motorcycle when a motorist pulled out in front of him. Knight hit the car head on, rolled off the hood and was knocked unconscious.

He has no memory of the event, but he knows he was rushed back to the ER he had just left with an injured head and a separated shoulder. And he does remember that later on, he didn't feel quite "right inside" and underwent cognitive testing.

The test revealed Knight had sustained slight to moderate brain injury. And when he learned he hadn't fared well enough on the test to continue his fast-paced job in the ER, he went home and ate a half-gallon of ice cream while feeling sorry for himself.

In his mind, he said, all he heard was, "Bud, you can't go back to work."

After polishing off the ice cream, Knight recognized that he needed to "have a healthy mind and a healthy body."

He spent five weeks "retraining" his brain — a process that was originally supposed to take 10 weeks — in order to go back to work.

An avid cycler before the accident, he resumed his biking and also started taking better care of himself. And as he made changes in his life and began to shed some pounds, he noticed a change in his biking abilities.

He was getting faster.

With his increased speed, a friend recommended Knight try racing. Another friend later suggested that Knight try racing his bike in triathlons.

Knight, 36, said he signed up for his first triathlon in Grand Haven. Since then he's done four more; his most recent was in Petoskey, where he placed first in his age group and first overall in the biking event.

"A lot of my family thinks it's crazy," he said.

Knight recounted his participation in the Groundhog Gallop 5K Run/Walk last year that took place during below-zero temperatures and high winds.

"How many chances do you get to do a 5K race in blizzard conditions with 300 people? I still wear the (souvenir) shirt proudly," he said.

Knight has now focused his attention on training for his "goal" triathlon: Ironman.

On Aug. 31, Knight will compete with hundreds of others in the Ford Ironman Louisville triathlon in Louisville, Ky., which will involve a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run.

Until that day arrives, his training will involve traveling to the Jackson YMCA for Tuesday and Thursday 90-minute sessions with his coach, Jeff Beagle, who is also on the Ironman Louisville roster to compete.

Training sessions include leg exercises, lunges, squats and running — anything to tire out Knight's legs to simulate the bike-riding fatigue he will feel before his run in the triathlon — as well as a spinning class and pool drills.

He also participates in Saturday swim classes about twice a month where he swims 3,000-plus meters. During the summer, he plans to bike from his home to Sand Creek to Adrian to Onsted and back.

In addition, he trains at the YMCA of Lenawee County in Adrian.

Beagle, a personal fitness trainer, said they are working on Knight's swimming.

"We need to smooth some things out if he's going to do 2.4 miles," Beagle said. "... We'll see how Bud's doing come spring time."

Beagle said Knight has a good determination and a real enthusiasm for triathlon training, but hopes he can continue that enthusiasm through August.

"You need to build up to it," Beagle said about triathlon training. "It's a process. Getting healthy is part of the key."

What motivates Knight during his training is reflecting on his childhood.

"When I was a kid, I was a fat kid. ... Like so many kids, you're a product of what you're shown. I think about that when I work out and how much I've changed my life."

Knight said he also thinks about being a role model for his two kids, Erica, 11, and Emily, who is 6.

With hours devoted to training each week, Knight said his greatest sacrifice is missing out on time with his family.

"I'd never be able to do Ironman Louisville without the support of my wife, Ann," he said.

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Information from: The Daily Telegram, http://www.lenconnect.com