The Iron Shecky

Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.  A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of volunteering at the Atlanta Paratriathlon Camp.  Watching a group of people who have had to overcome a lot do something that many of take for granted was something I wasn't easily going to forget.  Fast forward two weeks - one of the athletes was planning on participating in a sprint triathlon and didn't have anyone to assist him during the race.  I already had some plans for that morning, but they were easy to move around.  I was having trouble with the thought of him not being able to race when this was something I could so easily help with.  And this is how one of the most truly amazing days happened.  Cougar is a 19 year old young man who became a quadriplegic a few years back after he jumped into a snow pile with some buddies. He has worked so hard to get where he is, and he is still fighting every day.  He has little use of hi...

“He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.” ― Shannon L. Alder Chattanooga Waterfront Olympic Distance Triathlon (Aquabike) Date of Race: June 29, 2014 Total Race Time = 2h 14m 11s Overall Place = 6/10 Pre-pre-race: Mid-March, I was riding my bike at Silk Sheets when something got caught in my back wheel causing it to lock up.  I fishtailed and crashed, breaking my hand.  I had surgery to have 3 pins put in for 5 weeks.  During this recovery process, there was no training.  Any sweat could cause the pins to get infected.  Once my bike was inspected, there was 2 cracks found on the frame.  The cracks were determined by the manufacturer to have been from riding hard on the trainer.  My new frame came in about a week before the race.  It was fit to me on Wednesday, with a race on Sunday.  I was sick Thursday and Friday --this lead to the first time being back on a bike being the race itself. Pre-r...

I will never forget my first triathlon. I raced with my sister (also a first-timer) and my sister-in-law (an Ironman.) My entire family came out to support me.  I saw my sisters on the course and I received cheers from my family throughout the race and again at the finish line.  On a high from being a first time triathlete, I decided that it couldn't get any better than this. Fast forward 12 months to August 2012. I was racing my first Half Ironman with a large number of Atlanta Triathlon Club teammates, many who were first timers as well. The support from my teammates, both racers and spectators, was more than I could have imagined.  As I got out of the water, there was a huge cheer crew yelling my name and cheering louder than ever. We had a smaller cheering station midway out on the bike course and a large crowd on the run course.  Their support helped make this race spectacular. This was my day and they made sure I knew it. I was the last one from ATC on t...