We Survived!!!

Saturday was a successful day on a few fronts...mainly the fact that Mindy and I survived, and are still talking to one another:) Looking into tandem bikes, we headed 2.5 hours away to the nearest Co-Motion tandem dealer, for a test ride, and to ask the experts all the burning questions I had.
This particular dealer was a nice couple that had been riding and selling Co-Motion tandems for many years, and at one point were wheel builders for Cervelo (my retired solo ride). Co-Mo has a few choices for us int he bike department, in regards to looking great, but most of all, going fast!! The unique issue is that i am taller then the usual stoker, and Mindy and the rest of my captains are a wide ranging size. The dealers informed us that there is no real issue with the sizing, and worst case sceneria is an extra 450$ for a custom frame size. Tack that onto a 10 thousand dollar bike, and it isn't a big deal.
Off to the test rides!! First honours were myself and the gentleman going around the block on the tandem... and i'm very happy to say that i felt very comfortable. All those years of emergency riding, and accidence avoidance bike handling, has given me a fairly exceptional feel for the bike and how they move and react. Next up was Mindy and the wife...I made sure Mindy went on the back; after all she needed to knwo what it was like from my point of view. She came back with a new repsect of trust and how giving up a lot of control can feel. Now it was her turn to drive...hmmm, lets just say i am very happy she didn't dump their very expensive bikes... It was a wobbly and very nervous start, but she soon got the hang of it....and after a trip around the block by herself, she got an even better feel for the bike. NOW, let's put it all together...Mindy and i set out for a ride...
Let's just say communication is HUGE on tandems, and I think it comforted Mindy when i helped talk her through a few things..... another wobbly start, and we were off.
The funny things about tandems is that you can put as much or as little effort into the pedals as you'd like...when Mindy told me to stop "pushing", i had to show her that i wasn't, and what it was like when i DID push... All and all, a very good but short day on the bike.
Mindy walked away with a new respect for my world, a healthy respect for the tandem, and the fact that it is harder then it looks; in her defense though, the handlebars were definatley not set to suit her, which absolutely affected her control. Get some base bars and aero bars on there and she's rockin'. I walked away with a couple things:
1) I am very happy at how natural i feel on a tandem(hmm, it's like my body was preparing for this day?)
2) I know that teaching my captains how to pilot the bike properly is paramount, for OUR safety
3) I was VERY excited at the fact that when Mindy went lower on the handlebars, i could see over her head...gave me a bit of the feeling of riding my own bike again.
I think since it has only been 6 months since my last solo ride, my body isn't shocked or amazed at the feeling of being out on a bike...it is just going to learn that it gets less control over the situation.

NOW, waiting this week or next for the grant to come through, fingers crossed!!!

Why we fight..

Please check out our Stubborn Buffalo Event Series Blog.... http://stubbornbuffaloevents.blogspot.com

This blog is maintained by my sister (Addie White, a memeber of the commitee putting these events on).

I started directing these events a couple years ago, and now the family is all tackling this with increased vigor... below is a picture on the blog...this is why we fight... go read the blurb she has written. If you can look at this picture, read the blurb, and walk away without feeling a bit more grateful for your "everyday"....then you aren't human:)

Remember, our bad days really aren't BAD days in comparison to those with ALS...

New Gig

Well some neat news on my front...two items actually..

1--Our local online newspaper, which is an up and comer, has asked me to ba volunteer columnist. I will write pretty much the same stuff that I write on my blog; stories of me, triathlon, blind guy getting around in this crazy world, goals, dreams, inspiration, information and some fun.

it will be called ENDURANCE JUNKIE and featured weekly on http://ckdp.ca This stands for the Chatham Kent Daily Post. It is meant to give all the relevant news stories, plus some more local flavour and insight then you'd get with the normal hardcopy news. I have no idea where this adventure will take me, and have had no previous desires to write a column, but figured i have nothing to lose really. Pretty much only things to gain. Look for it, enjoy it; the column is a mix of actual Blog posts and freshly thought out articles

2---I received a call today to set an an interview for a nice new job I applied for. I love my hospital job, in the sense that it pays the bills, and i get to help people.....however this job will hopefully pay even more bills, be a lot closer to the public education/motivation/inspiration/coaching/teaching aspect of things. If i get the job, you'll hear more about it, but for now, let's just keep our fingers crossed for the interview to go well.

Anyhow, that's all for now...
Oh ya, forgot one more thing.....i don't know bout you. but I'm an animal lover, however they often do things that really gross me out..or i find super strange...

take a look at this picture of our cat Marbles.... man he's a weirdo!!



Does he not know what we do in that thing???!!!

That's it for now...check out http://ckdp.ca and hopefully we can keep this thing going...i think it is a great local resource.

Griffen Ultimate Tandem

2007 Ironman World Championshops---Matt Miller (captain, found of cdifferent.org) and Charlie Plaskon (stoker). Picture courtesy of Matt Miller

This is the bike in full on triathlon mode:)

Here is a pic..not the best pic, but Griffen uses a new MMC metal that is supposed to be top notch and innovative for stiffness (stiff is good), light, and smooth. So it's this bike vs. the Co-Motion bikes...we shall see:)

i'll probably not be able to afford either and end up with somebody's 20 year old beat up tandem:)

A or B? A or B? ....and some more kona pics

Ok, just so you don't get too bored, do note that if you read this blog, you'll see a couple more photos from Kona..the best is the one where I'm stoping directly in front of the camera guy (didn't know it), with a severe hamstring cramp... oh baby was that a bad day all around... but i'd do it all over again.

A OR B? A OR B?

In the recent days I've been pondering a couple choices I have to, well don't HAVE to make, but choose to make; regarding racing and riding and general triathlon-ish stuff.

Choice 1--
Alluding to the previous blog, IF and when I get some money, I need to purchase a new tandem. I will purchase one regardless of my CAF grant, but the grant pretty much dictates the speed machine I can afford. So i'm looking at A) Griffen tandem and B) C0-Motion Periscope Torpedo

A) $17,000
-light
-stiff
-custome made
-needs to be fit to a smaller range captain---can only use captains of certain dimensions, limiting my rider pool
-FAST

B) $9,000
-not quite as light
-probably not as fast or aero
-not as stiff
-however it is VERY adjustable, so many riders would be accomadated

Suggestions?


Choice 2--

Mindy agreed that 2009 will be the year of her vacations, no commitment to any race, just play it by ear and get used to tandem racing. I did agree to do our local sprint triathlon with her on the tandem...This will be fun, and quite a new sight for people used to seeing me either leading or near the front of this race (on the bike) in the past. This time, even though i don't have to--i'm going fully tethered and doing it proper. I really only need the tandem, but if i'm doing it tandem, i'm doing it tandem. I think it shows others just exactly how visually impaired athletes have to cope.
However 2010 has been agreed that I am able to go back to Ironman, and apply for the Kona lottery again (since I am unable to qualify, but this will be a blog later, man I am not impressed with the WTC).

So the choice...

A) Goofy race and half --January-----1/2 marathon on sat. and full on sun. in Disney
Ironman Lousiville Kentucky---August

B) Goofy race and a half
Ironman Utah---May---which is an inagural event, but is close to Vegas and family.



So my two choices, both need to be made within the next month or so i'd say, neither is life and death...but ironically this choice that I have to make, involves others in a big way.

-I need to consider who is going to ride with me on the tandem
-I need to ask/consider/confirm who is willing to race an Ironman with me next year



And here's some pics....none are pretty, but they show the day as it was, and it motivates me to go back and get it done.

Sweet speed X 2

In about 3 weeks I am desparately hoping that that CAF (Challenged Athletes Foundation) based out of San Diego, decides that my story is a worthy one. In December I had submitted an application for a new tandem bicycle; and when you ask, you might as well ask BIG. So, I asked for a Griffen Tandem bike, custom made in Texas. It is the fastest, lightest and most "racey" tandem I've learned about; fully loaded, cost a mere $17,000-----no I didn't mistype that. I'm talking about FULLY loaded, ready to rock. The reality is that I most likely won't get the total value, but even a chunk would be nice, to purchase a "racey"-ish tandem...maybe not as nice as the Griffen, but still a sweet ride. The problem with tandems are the fact thqt I am 6 feet tall, with a large inseam, and my wife is 5"4 (barely), I have friends 5'4-6'0. You can see how this makes sizing tough.

The plan was to get a race tandem that would fit me perfect and fit the general list of pilots that have agreed to ride with me. Then I Mindy and I were planning on getting a cheaper tandem that we can both ride. I may however have found the best of both worlds for now.. If i can't get the Griffen, this looks like the next best option from Co-Motion... It is an extremely versitile tandem that will accomodate me, Mindy and virtually anybody I want to ride with. If i do get the Griffen, this Co-Motion tandem still offers and awesome opportunity to ride with lots of people. So either way, options, sweet speed, and good times ahead (I hope)....Not garuntees that tandem riding will be fun, or a success, but I choose to be optomistic and start drooling over "sweet speed x 2"

Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Kona--a look back through the eye of the camera

I wanted to share with you a few videos and pictures from Kona. They've been on the camera for a while, but i just decided to upload them today....
The first video is of my 2nd last solo ride, it was a training ride up to Hawi and back, a few days before the race. My legs felt great, the course suited me, it was hot, windy, but i was ready to go. The race day ride, was not so good, so i choose to have this as my memory of my last good solo ride. A bit sad to watch, but i'm glad we've got it on tape.



The next video is to prove, that i actually did run in Kona....haha, this is within the first mile of the run... I felt not bad at this point, but things quickly turned on me. You will notice a theme here, of how terrible a videographer my wife is--god bless her:)



This third video is THE video that i'm actually glad we got on tape more then anything. This is the video i have many names for "10 and 6" which means i was at 10 miles and had puked 6 times. Or, "16 miles to go"; this is what i have left when i get back to Kona....16 miles of unfinished buisness, 16 miles until a dream. Or, "Kona DNF"; which speaks for itself.

This last video i still have a bit of trouble watching...it doesn't make me cry, it doesn't really even make me angry----it just makes me sad...plain and simple: SAD.





I had spent my entire triathlon career up to this day, dreaming of getting to Kona, in the best shape i've ever been in, and it all fell apart...almost before it even began.

On the other hand i watch this video with a sense of conviction (to get back there), and a sense of urgency (to get back there). I've spent my life telling others that there is no reason to quit, to give up, to stop; but that is what i did on that day, and i need to return, to prove that Kona is a race that i can finish, that my stopping on that day was out of my hands and that my will was out-voted by my body's desire to shut down.

I do believe too that i secretly hoped that this would be the ultimate in "going out on top"...a perfect way to close the chapter. However, not everybody's life can be a perfect book, with the perfect happy ending----well at least not at this stage in my life.

My perfect happy ending? Perhaps somewhere down the line..but for now i use this as a lesson, an experience, another reason to be thankful, gain even more perspective, and gain even a deeper passion to get back to Kona.

NOTE: To look for some humour in the video...pay attention in the last video of how silent everyone is as i am walking up to them... Then listen to when they start their encouragment...after i've gone by. It makes me laugh every time:)

Oh, just for laughs, check out my MEDICAL TENT PICS----hey i got great service:) 3 to 1 ratio, that is service!!!

ask and you shall receive

It is funny how my brain wanders...well not really....if you know me..
Anyhow, today I was thinking about my potential NEW TANDEM BIKE that will be the result of a grant application that comes down on Apr.1st. I've asked big ($17,000) for top of the line tandem...I don't see getting the whole amount, but some would be nice. Otherwise I'll be purchasing a much more basic version to get me through until I can afford the "big boy bike".

Thinking of this potential new ride, I got to thinking of who will pilot my sorry butt around...I've got lots of friends, lots of offers and plenty of support, which is fantastic. So when that time comes, I'll let you know how it goes.

Where this thought led my mind next, was back to last Sept/Oct when I was preparing for Ironman World Championships in Hawaii; I'd never finished in the dark at an Ironman, but this one was pretty much garunteed (HA! you're saying, you didn't even finish, QUITTER!!!)...ya ya...I know nothing is garunteed. However, I was PLANNING for a dark finish, so I needed to round up a partner. It eventually widdled down to Brian Breen, a great guy, flew in from Chicago for a lousy mile of walking with me; man I felt terrible.

Previous to and including this "favour" , I had decided to make a statement, show the world that "ya i'm blind, have to get help, but i'm gonna show you that i've got my game face on".

So, what did I do?
Well if you want to make a statement, go fast, and show your game face....why not ask the best in the world for their help?

In the summer I flipped an email off to 3 time World Champion Peter Reid (www.peterreid.com). I figured he's retired, so why wouldn't he want to come help me......
Guess what? He said YES!!! He was willing to help me out...doesn't even know me, but willing to help...how awesome. Unfortunately he was waiting on a very important job offer, which he received, and I was left looking once again.

Next!!!!
I asked a friend, and a great human being in Kevin MacKinnon (www.ironman.com) writer and editor of Triathlete Canada Magazine. He too was willing to help, but seeing as he works for Ironman and the World Championships is the "big one"; his bosses figured it was best for him to remain at his work related duties that day.....
hmmmmm.....NEXT!!!!

Well, another amazing Canadian, multiple Ironman winnner, Lisa Bentley...she's a local girl so to speak, and wasn't racing in Hawaii....SO, I figured what the heck....and with the help of Kevin M. , Lisa agreed to help.....a bit reluctant, but willing none the less. You can't blame her for being reluctant...some perfect stranger is asking you to guide him in the dark in an Ironman....hmmm can you say "strange!". Hey, but she was willing. I decided that Brian Breen was probably a safer bet and went with him....and this rest is made in a DNF history!!

So back to the tandem.....again I wish to make a statement...."yes i am tandem, I have to give up control of my own complete triathlon destiny, but damn it, I wanna go fast and kick ass". Well, being new to this blog thing, i've checked out a few other blogs..and i figured i'd send out another email....i'm still waiting on this one, but we'll see what the response is.... C'MON SIMON WHITFIELD!!!! you know you wanna go tandem.

Goooood ol' Canadian blood, helping hands all the way around---and I am truly blessed that these people are so willing to help me keep my dreams alive.
Don't settle for any less then your best game face....if you wanna go fast, then find a way to go fast (even if you have to stare at somebody's butt to do it).

Safe training, watch out for the potholes!!

MY LOVE:)

Just so you get an idea...a picture of my love....Mindy..my wife..
Often times you roll through daily life not realizing who inspires you and believes in you...but I try to appreciate my biggest fan every day... Granted she may not understand my motivations for Ironman racing or marathon running....but she realizes that it means something to me..and that it fills a spot in my life that nothing else does...

Hurray to my biggest fan!!

Inspiration left on the table

Today was a bit of a sad day....nothing tragic happened, so you can breathe now... However, it was just a day that seemed to prove to me once again, that great inspiration can get left out on the table.

I have grown to see more and more in our city, region, country and world, that far too often the "best qualified" applicant is not chosen for jobs that are suited to them. Meeting applicables on paper is one thing, but when you leave the inspiration of somebody who is deeply passionate for what they do, on the table; you are missing out.

Is is better to be the status quo or the new thinker? You'll get lots of differing opinions on this. I feel that oft times the new thinkers of my generation(age) are dismissed, because we don't have the experience, or knowledge, etc. I disagree. I think having a deep passion for what you are doing, is a HUGE factor in job success and in making a difference..

We may not always meet the "check marks" set out for the job, but some times you need to take a step back, listen to those who are speaking with passion, give them an opportunity to change the world too.

Change in life comes from those who desire it, who strive for it, who dream it and act it. Let's stop thinking in stale tones, and let's take the inspiration that others provide, and use it to mvoe forward, making the world a far more dynamic and energized place...

There's your rant for a rainy day!!!!

On a happier note, my bad back of 6 months is on the mend, I CAN STAND UP AGAIN!!!... more on that later.

6th time was not a charm, lessons in perspective and what is "meant to be"

Growing up, watching the Hawaii Ironman, I like so many others had dreamed of doing this insane and obsurd test of human endurance(sanity). I always knew I was never going to be fast enough by the time I went blind, in order to qualify. I also knew (barring some miracle), that I would never get to the age where I would be able to qualify after compiling years of experience and fitness; my clock was ticking....and I was on a mission. I've always said that "I want to do an Ironman every year that I can, until I am not able to anymore (menaing my vision would not allow it).

In 2004 with family and friends witness, I managed my first and fastest Ironman at the USA Lake Placid event. In '05--pictured above---I did the 2nd one, the '06 at IM Canada (on my honeymoon), '07 back to Lake Placid for the third time, where I raced as the Ford Everyday Hero for my work as a Team Blazeman member. In later 2007, due to my Everyday Hero exposure, a 5 page article in Triathlon Canada (November 2007) and my overall story....I was granted an invite to the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. The WTC had granted me a wish, as i knew and expressed that 2008 would be my final year racing solo as a triathlete, and my ultimate goal was to race in Hawaii; my wish had come true. I finished Ironman Coeur D'Alene in Idaho in June, then off to Kona in October.

DON'T LET THE WIND BE THE THING THAT BEATS YOU----This is a quote I had always remembered (after watching a Hawaii Ironman telecast, and was my mantra for many years; out battling the wind here in the wide open Chatham-Kent area.

However as of 2008.....
HOW WOULD YOU FEEL KNOWINGLY DOING SOMETHING YOU LOVED, FOR THE LAST TIME?---- I oftne thought of this during my year of training, but I promised 2008 was it, and I had several reminders that my time was up. After a spectacular bike crash in July, which i walked away from unscaved, a few close calls, even more close calls, several bouts of anxiety just getting out the door to get the training in........ANOTHER even worse bike crash 5 weeks out from Kona where I hit a crack in the road doing 20 mph, skidded across the concrete, suffered pretty bad road rash and a very very shaken psyche.......I knew my days were done.

I always knew I was given a gift, the gift of Kona. Many people saw this as me "getting a free ride", as I didn't earn my way. I knew I didn't earn my way, but at the age of 28, I knew I would not get to 35, 45, 55, and have another shot to qualify. I knew this was my one and only chance to compete in the world's most famous Ironman, by myself.

I will spare the whole entire day of race details and sum it up fairly quickly if I can:
-I never felt I belonged there, despite family assuring me that I worked just as hard as anybody there
-I was suffering from a shaken psyche, doubt, a bad back (due to 2 bike crashes, or moving a freezer for my brother in law, or a combination of the two)
-Race morning was surrreal, simple for the fact that I had the strangest feeling that I was NOT going to make it that day. My wife sensed it, and later told me she felt it too....It was not a confidence thing, it was just the strangest feeling that "THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE----NOT TODAY"

After finishing the swim with horrible back pain, I managed to struggle through the toughest Ironman bike ride I've ever had (not due to fitness, but due to heat, my bodies rebellion against food and liquid) and some bad luck with bike parts.
Trying to keep a positive outlook, I headed out for the run, just praying for a finish...

Mile 2---glass of water=vommiting 3 times
Mile 7---glass of gatorade, small bit of food=vommitting 3 times and dry heaving
Mile 10.5----tiny sip of ice water=equals 1 more vommitting fit, lots of dry heaving, and the realization that I was not going to make it.

Here is me at mile 10, worried wife in the back ground...I am with Brian Breen (finished 2006 Ironman as the first Team Blazeman member). He was there to guide me through the nighttime hours.

This was not my day....

"THIS GOES WAY BEYOND WILLPOWER"---is what I told Brian as i dryheaved on the side of the road at 10.5miles, with him and medics looking on.

I won't get all religious on you, but I am a firm believer that if things are meant to be, then they are meant to be.

I think life teaches you lessons, and you react to them in one of two ways....

1) You get angry, bitter, dismissive, hurt
2) You seek the underlying message you learned from that experience and help it fuel the fire for your next endeavor. You look for deeper meaning, you look for PERSPECTIVE.

Kona 2008 showed me that, you don't always get your fairytale ending...I didn't get my perfect race, on the perfect stage, to book end my solo career.

What I do get is the experience of being in Hawaii with the worlds best, the chance to be alive and try again.....and the chance to find my way back as a Paratriathlete (tandem triathlete) and finish the 16 miles that I was not able to experience that day.

"YOU CAN QUIT, AND NOBODY ELSE WILL CARE, BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW.." John Collins the founder of Ironman once stated; I believe this, I live by this. I have one DNF (did not finish) to my record. Sadly on the biggest day of my life (or is it?) I'm young, I've got plenty of life experiences ahead, and I could have plenty of Kona's ahead----you never know.

The biggest lesson I learned that day---after much thought and contemplation:
I always thought that quitting something would make me a horrible person, make me a hipocrit (my worst fear). Howver I realized, that if I gave it my all, did the best I could, ON THAT DAY....Than I was not a failure. I did not use excuses, I learned a lesson, I've gained more perspective, and I'm moving forward.

Perspective--the million dollar word

Ok, so again a reminder, I'm NEW to this, so I am going to experiement a little bit for now.. Bear with me.

JUNE 3rd, 2006--- This was the last day that my dad stood for the final time. This was also Mindy and I's wedding day. A very proud man, who sucked up every ounce of pride he had later in the day when we went for our pictures, we tried to get him to stand for our group pictures, but his ALS ravaged body would not let him. I will remember this day til I die (along with two other instances I will share in a second). When his legs/arms failed him the first time, to get out of the wheelchari, he tried again, and he tried a third time...we offered to help, but in a sigh and almost a whimper of submission; he declined. ALS had taken one more thing away from this man, and on a day at which we had hoped he'd be able to dance one last time. That day at for our pictures, he stayed in his chair, not 1 hour before, in church at our ceremony, holding onto the pew, he stood for the last time. It is fitting that this very religious man's last stand, was in that place.


I will NEVER forget that day, it was such a happy day all around, but such a very sad thing to witness. The day I came in (Nov.2005) to see him on my birthday, and he went to raise his arms to give me a hug----they wouldnt' work. He started to cry, I did too a little bit..but as he and I always did, we just sluffed it off. We are very much alike, two very proud men, but we both knew that too was a significant day. Fast forward to the night before he died, as he we barely concious, on his breathing machine, in a somewhat vulnurable position, I helped my mother do some basic "care" tasks for him. I won't describe them, but I will just say that it absolutely broke my heart that he knew I was there doing/witnessing him in such a private manner. I am sure he appreciated me helping mom out, but I know the sense of embarassement this proud man would be feeling.

WHY TELL YOU ALL THIS? PERSPECTIVE, my favorite word.


There are things in your life, days, situations, little moments when you realize what is really important in life. I mean REALLY important, not like missing an appointment or not getting a job, or getting a flat tire on a rainy day.

You will learn more about me, if you don't know me already, but I often have people say "Wow, your story is so remarkable, you are legally blind and you do all the triathlon stuff, and you work (as if this should be some surprise).... " etc etc...

They often feel that because I suffer from a disease that merely robs me of my sight, that I should be some sort of deadbeat, or alcoholic (hey I love wine), or that I should be depressed, angry and bitter. I think, subconciously a long time ago I chose to do the opposite. I would like to believe this is because I wanted to prove to myself, my family and all the rest of the naysayers, that I was not a wuss, I was as tough as anybody out there, and a small cocky side of my took pride in sticking my toungue out at them for saying "you can't do that".

However with watching my father die from ALS, I gained a new perspective on my own situation; I would like to think I already had perspective that my life was pretty darn good anyhow, but now I got a new huge heap of it. I have said several times to newspapers, radio, etc.. that the most inspiring thing I have ever seen in my entire life was watching my father battle ALS. He faught with every ounce of his being in a fight he could not win; simply to stay around for us, as long as he could. That is guts, that is courage, that is pure and utter stubborness, that IS my father.

So, the message I would love you to keep in the back of your mind, on those crappy days, when nothing is going right, and you are just plain fed up..... "Perspective--how bad, REALLY, is my life?"

Hell, RP won't kill me (unless I get hit by a bus), but ALS has killed EVERY SINGLE person it has touched....I have no excuse not to fight.
The Blazeman Roll--started by Jon Blais (www.waronals.com) in 2005. A team of multisport athletes determined to raise money and awarness for ALS. My 2007 Ironman USA Lake Placid roll. Get used to seeing finish line pictures that look like this...

As you can tell, this is something I am passionate about...so don't tell me you CAN'T, or that your life has thrown you too many obstacles; I garuntee you that somewhere there is a silver lining in that cloud.

Kick er' Down--yes dad, I think I will

As my father once said in a fit of pure joy in his life, fueled by friends, family, beer and a sense of pride for what he's accomplished...."Kick er' Down!". Silly three words, but to the point of what one must do when faced with the choice to sit and contemplate (when more contemplation would just muddy the waters) or to act. It is in those words, and with the advice of many, that I've chosen to act. I have decided to start this journey of a blog, in hopes of sharing my story, that it may touch and inspire at least ONE person out there who has lost sight of the silver lining in their cloud. My story is perhaps an interesting one, perhaps a cliche one; you be the judge. As you will get to know, i tend to be long winded, philosphical on a basic level, sentimental, proud, stubborn---well actually VERY stubborn, and a person that thinks excuses are ones way of deciding that the obstacles in their lives have won. If you stick with me, it is my hopes that you will gain a greater sense of appreciation for your own life, for your talents, for your loved ones, for your ABILITIES and for those who maybe are struggling in silence, but who maybe need a bit of your encouragement and understanding. So, let me tell you a bit about myself and lets see where this journey takes us. Apologies that this will probably be the longest blog EVER....
I was born in 1979, the youngest of three children, to very supportive, but strict parents. I was brought up in a country home, with lots of animals, lots of love, lots of food and space, and the overall opportunities that many take for granted (as I'm sure I did many times). I loved hockey, played it constantly, loved building forts, skating on the river or outdoor fields that have puddled up and frozen over. I was raised to believe that your name is all you have, so don't screw it up. Be proud of who you are, no matter if you are a factory worker or a CEO, and never look down on others because they may appear to be less of a person based on their income or living conditions. I was raised to believe that the world doesn't OWE you anything, and that hard work, getting sweaty and dirty, is the path to real achievement. This however could be anybody's story, more or less.... I guess my story begins here then. When I was young (1 year or so), my parents noticed that I would stare at lights, as many pictures show. Being good parents they took me to get checked out. Around the age of 3 I was officially diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). This diesease causes the light absorbing cells in the back of your eye, to slowly die off, leaving the victim with fading perhipheral vision, night blindness, and eventually total blindness. I was told about my problem when I was 5, got my first pair of glasses, and life went on. My parents were told (as I recently found out), that they could either gaurd me, protect me from every bump and bruise, or could let me figure it out for myself, lead a "normal" life, and when I fall, learn to pick myself up.....well actually when i slammed into an object in a dark room, then learn to not do it twice! Some may think this cruel or unnessary, but to me this was the greatest thing they ever did. As I grew up, I quickly learned that in order to keep up, I would have to adapt much quicker and develop extra skills to cope, I learned that unless I tried extra hard, I'd get left behind. So, I learned the coping mechanisms, developed the will power and drive to keep up, honed my stubbornness, and the rest is history---sort of.
Fast forward about 20 years....now out of high school, my sight worse but not debilitating, I had become fond of running (since sports with balls and hand eye coordination were getting too tough and my face too bloody)...and I did a couple duathlons. The whole time I had been watching the Hawaii Ironman and with my personality being what it is; knew I needed to try that some day. In 2000 I did my first triathlon, 2003 my first 1/2 Ironman, 2004 my first Ironman, and now I have 6 Ironman's under my belt (5 finishes, but that is a story for later)....
This past year (2008) I decided was my final year to be a solo triathlete, meaning I would hang up my beautiful Cervelo after my Kona (Hawaii Ironman debut, yes I did get there, but again a story for later). Riding has just become too dangerous, and in 2007 when the doctor tells you you've lost 10-15% of your already fragile vision, you know the end is near. Even today, out for a run, I know the difficulties are only beginning to increase, but again this is to be expected. I managed to try and truly appreciate all my triathlon experiences up to this point, as I knew this day would come HENCE the reason for this blog, the reason for Moving Forward--Life & Sport in general. My life is taking a turn, as I endeavor to begin my "new career" as a tandem or paratriathlete. I always knew the day would come when I would have to quit another sport (like I had to quit hockey, quit playing catch with a football, playing volleyball, tennis, and currently curling). That day came last Oct.11th in Hawaii, and true to my word, my bike is in the basement, retired, after many years of great memories. So, 2009 marks a new beginning, as my lovely wife Mindy says "Who else get's to do their 1st Ironman, TWICE!!?" Again, the silver lining presents itself...as I look forward to the new challenges, not saying "poor me", but saying "let's go for it". I hope by moving forward in my life, and in sport, I will be able to show others that excuses are not my obstacles winning, at least not yet. Join me as I strive to show you how much I appreciate what I can still do, and as my father said (which the next blog will be dedicated to)..KICK ER' DOWN !!! Yes Dad, I think I will.