Local triathlete returns to IRONMAN competition after injury

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Lars Finanger is more than just a weekend warrior triathlete. The former college baseball player who has done just about everything.

"I've done a dozen Ironman's," said Finanger. "The Ironman in Kona is one that is memorable, plus my wife and I got married after we both raced there one year."

In 2015, Finanger found himself at a crossroad. His back went out after picking up his daughter and an MRI revealed a disc extrusion with large herniation's.

"I had lost strength on my tippy-toes. At that point I just wanted control over my own body where I can do normal things, like pick up my daughter," he said.

Finanger went and met with Dr. Geoffrey Zubay, a UTHealth Neurosurgeon with Memorial Hermann Mischer Neuroscience Associates in The Woodlands.

He was on his way to surgery and recovery.

"Lars had a minimally invasive microdiscectomy," said Dr. Zubay. "The trick is with an athlete, like Lars, is we have to be very careful to preserve the anatomical integrity of the joint."

Lars is back this weekend, participating in the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas.

Dr. Zubay is also racing this weekend.

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