On a recent Saturday morning after a long bike ride, Senior Airman Jesse Wiegand set out for a long run as part of his triathlon training regimen. Toward the end of the run, the Washington Air National Guard airman started cramping up. For a minute, Wiegand thought about slowing down and walking out the remaining distance, but the thought of his autistic grandson immediately flashed into his mind.

"He goes through way more than a cramp and he gets through each day," Wiegand said. "If he can go through that, then I can do this."

Since February, Wiegand has been juggling his training, family life, Guard commitment to the 262nd Network Warfare Squadron at McChord Field and a 40-plus hour a week job - with 50 percent travel - as an information assurance specialist with an energy management company.

Wiegand is on a one-man quest to raise money for autism awareness. His inspiration comes from his 10-year-old grandson, Isaiah.

"There is no cure for autism," Wiegand said. "You kind of have to just let it run its course. Autism is my cause because it touches me personally."

Although he has not created a charitable foundation to help garner donations, Wiegand maintains a blog (www.for-isaiah.blogspot.com) with donation links to the national and state autism associations. He also uses the blog to chronicle his training and post information from various sources on autism. Through sending out e-mails, spreading the word on Facebook and within his unit and talking about his quest at the seven local triathlons Wiegand plans on participating in over the next six months, the 46-year-old hopes to raise money and awareness.

Airmen in his unit have also played a big role in supporting Wiegand's cause. His intense training regimen has created a heightened emphasis on physical fitness within the unit, said Master Sgt. Denise Avery, the squadron's first sergeant.

"It really opens up a dialogue about fitness," Avery said. "What he's doing also serves to embody all the things the Guard stands for in our core values."

Avery is also helping Wiegand garner sponsors to help defray some of the cost of event entry fees and competition equipment.

"It takes a lot of dedication and strength of character to do what he's doing," she said.

All the while, Wiegand continues to prepare himself physically for the grueling list of events, starting with the Five Mile Lake Triathlon June 19 in Federal Way and the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic July 17. Although he competed in several triathlons while living in San Diego in his 20s, training now while juggling everything is an entirely different story.

"I'm up at 4 a.m. running or cycling on my trainer before work even starts," said Wiegand, who lives in Graham.

But the swim portion of the triathlon will likely challenge him the most, the airman said.

"It's harder than the other two events combined," Wiegand said.

But getting through it is a must if Wiegand hopes to accomplish his ultimate goal, competing in the 2011 Hawaii Ironman World Competition.