A years journey..

Reflecting back on this past year...I can't help but realize how things have changed quite a bit. However despite what most thought, it isn't all negative.






Nearly 1 year to the day I rode my bike by myself for the last time (Oct.11/08), at the Ironman World Champioships; watching a dream slip into the darkness before my very eyes (no pun intended)--I hop aboard my new ride (Oct.10/09).



It's funny to look back upon the year that has past and realize how life has changed and has stayed the same all at once. I admit looking at the above images of my "final ride", make me cringe just a bit. It was not the fairy tale ending I had pictured....bombing across the Queen K, well trained, motivated, and on a mission to have the best day of my life. Instead, I scratched and clawed my way through the longest bike ride I have ever done (not in distance, but in time..) I guess it is only fitting that my final solo ride take me the longest to complete. Far from my envisioned triumphant farewell to solo racing; instead came one of the most brutal days of my athletic career. The day went wrong from the start and I felt like I was on the outside looking in, losing control of the situation until ultimately my day was done.

Sad yes, angry yes, motivated for sure...

Humbled? You can't help but be humbled by being so prepared and then being blown to pieces...it's the mystery that is the Ironman...and i love every second of it.

So as this past Saturday i found myself aboard my new tandem ride, i couldn't help but reflect on the year that has been. I dream of the day i get to return to Hawaii for redemption, and I remember fondly the many thousands of kilometers I travelled under my own power.

When i reflect on the year I find good and bad (well not bad, just more challenging i suppose)

GOOD:

- I got a new bike

- I got a glimpse of truly who my supporters and friends were/are

- I was giving new gifts/opportunities in the way of Syd, sponsors, an invite to the Ironman World Championships 70.3, C Different Foundation, MJ, Brian and all the rest who have helped me "learn" the paratriathlon ropes

- An opportunity to inspire, educate, and motivate people to turn a challenge into a challenge. What do i mean by that? We many folks thought since i couldn't ride anymore due to my vision challenges; then i'd give up the sport and "move on". This was never an option, so i took that challenge and turned it into a new challenge; like NYC triathlon, racing the best Paratriathletes, going to Ironman Worlds 70.3, going back to Ironnan USA Lake Placid next year...and more to come i'm sure.

You don't give up, you evaluate, adjust, and go for it.

CHALLENGES:

-the cost of this "adjustment" in my career

-having to ride 90% of my miles indoors, as even though i have great support group, people are still hard to nail down with busy schedules. So i had/have a hard time when all the others i used to ride with, are outside, and i'm not...but such is life

-as mentioned before, you realize who your support crew are, and you lose supporters and gain all new ones. So it's not all bad i suppose.

Really those are the only real challenges i found...and as you see there are far more things to be gained then lost, which is hilarious as many people thought this would be more of a LOSS then a GAIN....it's perspective i guess.

Which finally brings me to my point of the "year in review"

I look at how my life has changed in a year...some good, some challenges, but all and all, i'm alive and still get to race.

I look at some "year in reviews" of people in my life and i realize that whenever i look at those Kona pictures and cringe...I must also smile and feel lucky enough to be reflecting upon them.

You see, two folks in my head stand out...Jon Blais, and my father Adelard Van Praet. If we did a year in review for them for 2005-06 or 06-07...it tells a whole other story of how life can change in a year; quite dramatically.

2005

Jon- 33 years old, diagnosed with ALS

-Become first person with ALS to complete the Ironman

Adelard Van Praet- father of three, husband, retired and livin life. Diagnosed with ALS

2006

Jon-In a wheelchair, losing mobility, speech

Adelard-In a wheelchair, losing mobility and speech

2007

Jon-Dead

Adelard-Dead

So when we look back on a year, we remember the good, the challenges, the changes, and most of all the future possibilities.

Remember this...life can change in an instant..so when faced with a challenge.

STOP, EVALUATE, ADJUST and GO FOR IT!!

Take a look at your support crew, thank them and appreciate them, and realize that every day good or bad is still an opportunity to learn and experience new and exciting things. Do not take it lightly, as in waiting for that perfect day, or year, you will miss the wonderful ways in which you've learned, experienced and grown.

Get out, get movin', smell the roses, and don't wish the days away in hopes of something better.... Better is NOW!