To cut along story short, on Saturday night I was timekeeper at a swimming event for people with multiple and severe physical and mental disabilities. All shapes, sizes and disabilities…
Quadraplegics (i.e. nothing going on below the neck) who participated by being towed face down in the water by their carers…He would blow a bubble as a signal to his carer to turn him so he could take a breath…
A few athletes with severe CP…A few athletes with a combination of cognitive and mobility issues I couldn’t even describe…
Talk about reality check…and to think we can get stressed when we can’t train for a few days/ weeks if we are injured…After Saturday night, I am not sure what ‘injury’ means anymore…
To think we get stressed if our bodies can’t get us to the finish line by a certain time…
To think I would describe myself as not being a “gifted triathlete” becasue 11 hrs would appear to be my Ironman potential PB…
And to think that some people put elite athletes in the heroic category just because of some sporting achievement…there is a certain group of parents I saw on Saturday night that would buy and sell about 99% of the elite athletes of this world when it comes to courage, committment and dedication…I think hero is term too often used in sports…
So if anybody is out there feeling a bit down because they are injured and can’t train, can’t go any faster and think they should have chosen their parents more wisely, then get yourself into the bathroom, stand in front of the mirror and take along hard look at yourself.
Extremely sobering…I don’t feel there are hero’s in the sporting world. There are figures who we should look to for inspiration but, when it boils down to it, ‘sports heroes/ines’ are doing something they love and are very privileged to be in their respective positions.
In July 2002 my wife and I lost our baby daughter after she was diagnosed with a rare terminal condition. As a result of these dire circumstances I stumbled across tri after trying to enter a Marathon in order to raise some cash kids charities. When I need inspiration these days, I think of my wife and the physical and mental trauma she has had to endure. I think of my little girl and how brave she was.
This sport is a real healer for me personally, when out on the road on those early morning when there’s no one else about feel lucky to be doing what I’m doing. There are days when I feel like staying in bed but I still get up and get on with it because I’m able to make that choice - others, as described above, aren’t as fortunate.
Sorry if this is a bit heavy but I really hear what Geoff is saying.
I always try to do something positive each and every day 'cause you just don’t know what’s around the corner.
Yay Geoff! I love hearing about other athletes who give back and can learn from others. I think everyone who participates in races should volunteer at an event a few times a year.
Honey Bunny and I love to go to the Special Olympics swim meets and power lifting meets. Just when you start thinking your own life is full of pitts and crap (should I buy the black Kestrel or the red one?), watching mentally and physically challenged (in the truest sense of those words) athletes compete and love what they’re doing, no matter how slow or weak they are…you just can’t help but to leave with a huge smile on your face, thinking how lucky and fortunate your own life is. My heart always goes out to the families of these special people. The people who are there day in and day out, encouraging their son/daughter to lead as “normal” a life as possible and knowing they’ll never get better or lead long productive or independent lives.
My wife and I rode in one of the MS 150 events over the weekend and I had a similar experience on both days! Our first moment of “realization” (what I call a golden moment) occurred around the 30-mile point of the ride on Saturday morning. We had spent the first hour constantly repeating the “on your left mantra” and getting rather annoyed at how many cyclists were hugging the centerline while traveling at 12 mph which required us to pass in the oncomming traffic lane.
As we got to the “front” (actually nobody ever truly gets to the front during the MS), we were motoring along at 24-25 mph when we came upon a small group of paraplegic cyclists who were riding 3-wheelers who were either furiously turning hand cranks or disc wheels and holding steady at 16-18 mph! It was a sobering moment for us especially considering that in a few more miles, everyone would begin climbing the first of many hills that make the Houston-Austin MS 150 ride such a challenge for many of the particpants. We were in a quartering tailwind/crosswind and as we approached the little group, I slowed so that we would ride abreast and block the wind for a moment. I turned to the lead para-cyclist and tried to say something inspirational but found it difficult as there was a lump in my throat and a tear began to well in my eye (as there is as I type this) and at that moment I felt weak and inadequate for all those times in life when I or someone I knew was complaining about how hard something was or how we wouldn’t be able to do this or that! For years I have joked about how when the going got tough, it was simply mind over matter - if you don’t mind it does not matter and the sight of those para-athletes really, really drove that point home.
As the road began a shallow, gradual descent and I looked at the cyclist and reached out my hand to him and we then briefly shook hands as I said to him “Now that is hard core - this is your day, see you in La Grange” and then we slowly coasted ahead as our speed increased on the descent. A moment later my wife pulled alongside and asked if I knew that man and I replied "no, but today we are riding for him and all of those who could not ride! We accelerated back up to our previous pace and as we started up the first minor climb, she asked how hard I thought it would be to do this on the trike those guys were riding to which I replied - it is mind over matter!
On Sunday I had another such moment after we had finished for the day! We were lounging around enjoying good food as well as the company of friends when I remembered that this was the 20th anniversary of the event and we definitely needed those MS 150 certificates they handed out every year! We had finished very early (top 500) and with 13,000+ registered riders, things were sure to get very busy and very crowded later in the day so I went in search of the MS “rider rewards” booth. It took some leg work but I found the booth a short time later and as I approached, there was a slew of people in wheelchairs lined up alongside of the rider rewards booth. As riders advanced through the line to the table, the people in wheelchairs would offer simple words of thanks as each rider passed. Maybe I am mellowing with age but considering that this was the 20th anniversary of the Houston to Austin MS 150 and I had participated 14 of them, up until that moment, for me Multiple Sclerosis had been a disease to which I did not normally associate faces. Seeing those people made me realize that over the years it was a cause that I had supported over the years because the event promised a good weekend away - a weekend of riding through the Texas hill country and not so much for the benefits to those who suffered from MS! That all changed as I passed by each of those people - young and old alike.
I am currently “injured” and cannot ride my bike. My whole season, including IM USA, is in jeopardy. But every time I get down about it, I think about Marc Herremans (sp?) and realize how luck I am to still be able to run, swim, lift weights, etc.
People like you and me are very lucky to have what we have. Thanks for sharing your story and giving your time to help others.
Well I never. In all my years of tridom I inherently knew you people existed but I think I’ve seen only a couple in that time. Triathletes that actually care about something other than finishing times and personal bests. Actual living and breathing human beings. Okay so that might be a little tongue in cheek (or not) but it is truly refreshing to read that people wear their hearts on their sleeves from time to time. Sort of takes that type A personality typecast we’ve been labelled with and gives it a much needed bitch slap. Just like another thread where some of us came out of the closet regarding junk food. I have a feeling there are a lot more in both categories than have actually posted as much and they oughta come out and be counted too. Some times on my way to a race that I’m not particularly mentally ready to do I’ll put on Standing Outside the Fire by Garth Brooks (OMG a triathlete that listens to country music too…repent the world is coming to an end). If you’ve ever watched the video you’ll understand (if you haven’t…I won’t explain it…just watch it some time). I don’t train as much as I could/should and I don’t place as high in the standings as a result but I am always thankful for the abilities I have…and seeing someone who is less capable than I, either mentally or physically, giving it their all impresses the hell out of me. Sometimes you hear about a pro who packed it in because they knew it was not going to be their day so they saved it (I guess the mentality changes when you race to eat) and then you see a Marc Herremans who refuses to lay down and quit. That’s what it’s all about to me…it’s the love of the game…for play…for fun…we only get so much time alloted to us (and who among us knows when their time is up) and when we take it for granted that we have this amazing tool, the human body, that allows us to do unimaginable things…we need to see someone who has a handicap, smiling from ear to ear, doing what we could never dream of doing…and put our whiny attitudes back into perspective. I’m all for throwing the age group/professional category out the window and splitting triathlons (or sport in general) into two categories…those there to have fun…and the rest of you. The world would be a better place for it.