Kindness of strangers!

Well, it has been a little while since my last post and i thought i'd just give you a few updates on how things are going. I guess the first update is the good and bad situations i'm having with support from others. As you will see, i am getting lots of support, but from unlikely places, and the support i thought i would be getting from familiar faces is not happening.
In my saga to try and get this bike together, i've been having many conversations with people (strangers and not) about my transition into paratriathlon, learning to race tandem, learning to ride the tandem bike (whenever it finally gets built) etc. What i am finding is, for the most part, the individuals who are complete strangers to me, either by facebook, my association with Team Blazeman, CDF (see below) or even a great guy out in Vancouver and fellow paratriathlete; these people are providing me with as much if not more support emotionally then my local circle of friends. DO NOT get me wrong, i have a handful of very understanding people around me who "get it", but many who do not, and are almost saying (without saying it) that i'm somehow faking or milking the system or whining and asking for things i don't need. What i've come to realize is that people will be people and that unfortunatley have a hard time putting themselves in the shoes of others. My wife's theory is that since they can't SEE my vision deteriorating, they just assume i've woke up one morning and said "you know what, racing by myself isn't fun, or i don't get enough special treatment, so i think i'm gonna quit that and go race as a para-athlete"... It sorta makes sense, i guess. What they DON"T see is the amount of stress i am under simply to go outside for a run and not step in a hole, or how i'm still dealing with a damaged back after a bike crash at 20mph last August, when i hit a monster crack in the road that anybody else would have saw a mile away--a crash that was my lucky escape from severe injury, and my realization that my days of independant riding was over. However i choose not to bore them with these stories, as they have busy lives....so onward we go.
Back to the original message in this post--support from strangers who have agreed to help me find sponsors, guide me through a race, give me information that is desperatly needed.

SO, i would like to use the rest of this article to thank the sponsors that i do have and hope that i can get many more like them.
The first is the C Different Foundation, which i am a member of. This is a group of blind and visually impaired triathletes who are close-knit and all strive to show the world that blind/visually impaired athletes aren't blind to what is around them, they just SEE the world a little DIFFERENT then everyone else; which isn't necessarily a bad thing, in fact it can lead to a more enhanced life. CDF has thus far provided me with much moral support, and information on what i need to obtain and do in order to race tandem. This info is very hard to get, and can only come from people with first hand experience. CDF are those people, that are fantastic support, and are also the ones who hooked me up with Griffen (bike compnay) to get a great deal on my new frame. Thanks CDF!

The second sponsor i would like to thank is a bit more of an "arm's length" group...they reside way out in California and have been so generious to provide me with $1000 in grant money to help with the large costs incurred this year. The Challenged Athletes Foundation is a foundation that provides financial support to athletes with all types of "challenges" in all types of sports. Some of the best para-athletes have been supported by the CAF in their racing, training, travelling, etc. Without CAF, many athletes would have NO chance to get out and compete, so support them, as they do great work! Thanks CAF!

This past week i received a third sponsorship from Rudy Project--these great folks gave me a 3 year sponsorship which entitles me to STEEP discounts on their sunglasses and helmets. Rudy makes some of the most technologically advanced eyewear for athletes out there, and at a fraction of the price of their competitors. As we speak i have a new helmet and kick butt pair of sunglasses on the way--i will share pics later. THANKS RUDY PROJECT!

A huge thanks to these three sponsors who have helped in this transition period and i look forward to representing them well.
Quick update on me---TROT TO THE BEACH 1/2 Marathon is this weekend, a beautiful and fun point to point 21.1km from Blenheim via backroads, trails, paths, to Erieau (for the folks reading in the C-K area). I've not been able to do this race in it's 6 year history i think...but i am pumped to give it a shot this year. Will keep you posted on that adventure! Anyone in the C-K area wanting to do it, come out this sunday to the Blenhiem arena and sign up.
AND-last but not least, you must keep saying "tandem bike, tandem bike...we keep hearing about this bike but have yet to see it ready to go or in action..." Well it is VERY close to being done, and by next weekend i hope to have the big green monster rolling through C-K.. I can't wait for the reactions!

Keep safe everyone, train hard and say a little prayer of thanks every time you step out the door for a workout, we are lucky folks who are fortune to get to do what we love.

Trot