First and foremost, I have to give props to Jeff at Run In for saving the day on Saturday. I called him last minute and told him I was doing the Glenn Thrift Challenge, normally a 35 mile hike/run that was shortened into a 20 mile hike/run, and I didn’t have any trail shoes. He was nice enough to get me just what I needed the day before I participated in this crazy challenge (thanks Forrest). I wouldn’t consider this a race, but it was soo much fun! Forrest, Regina, Susan, Jeff, and I (austria crew back together) rode together at the brink of dawn in 19 degree weather. The start of the day was Regina and I taking potty breaks before we even started, and Fluty trying to give kisses at the same time. Fluty is a dog for those of you who don’t know him. Good thing it was pitch dark out. Once daylight started to shine we promptly started to jog hoping the blood flow would reach to the fingers and toes that had frozen while walking. The jog only lasted so long, in between Regina stating this was crazy, Susan laughing, and me trying to remember not to look at people when I talked to them, I knew it was going to be a day to remember. So the we kept warm up to the point when Regina decided to beat up the ground with her knee. All I could think to do was yell Regina Down!!! As I turn to look at her she’s kind of laying/posing on the ground like some bikini model with her hand on head and I try not to laugh. Susan runs over, sees the pose, immediately starts laughing asking who’s there to take the picture. Forrest, the ever concerned husband (i am serious), asks if she can run on it:) I decide if I don’t walk away at that point I might be in trouble because the entire situation has got me laughing so hard I am ready to pee my pants.
Regina ends up toughing it out, takes one for the team, and continues to walk and cuss the idea of Susan’s to be on this hike/run. We hit a hill, mountain, or whatever, and it’s never ending. All of us kind of break up into our own speeds for climbing up the hill. Once I get there I realize there isn’t anyone waiting on me. Regina and Susan are behind me, but where did Jeff and Forrest go? I keep following the trail, or what I hope is the trail, and manage to catch up with Glenn Thrift (guy who started this). All I can think is that I want to murder the boys who left me b/c they KNOW I get lost everywhere I go. I decide I need to stick with Glenn no matter his pace b/c I don’t want to be one of those stranded hikers. He was nice enough to let me tag along, and I was thankful someone knew the way. We all met up at the suspension bridge and all was well. Everyone finished up the last 5 miles together. What a day, and what an adventure. Susan, it’s still all your fault!
Two last pieces of news, Kelly Cook Kent had a baby girl!!! Rose Wilson not only placed 5th in her age group at IM Arizona, she’s going to IM Hawaii!!!! What a hammerhead!
Sad News
Henry Forrest has passed away. For those of you who aren’t familiar with who Henry Forrest is, he’s somewhat of a legend. I had the privilege to meet Henry at IM Florida. Jeff and I were walking around the expo’s and ran into the Try-A-Tri tent, their shirts are a staple among triathletes, and for once we had time to stop and chat. We talked to Henry and his daughter Toni for almost an hour. Henry reminisced about triathlons, and what his first Ironman (the original Ironman) experience was like. Henry was one of a dozen or so men who created the first Ironman. To hear him talk about it was truly an experience. They didn’t have aid stations, they didn’t have buoys guiding you on the swim, the bikes were were over 30 pounds in weight. He said rules were done on a voting system among all the participants, and the race almost didn’t happen that day due to the weather. He said the swim wasn’t anything like today’s, he was guided by a friend on a surf board for the entire swim unlike today where you just follow the masses and look for the markers in the water. Jeff had the pleasure of actually riding the bike that Henry used on his first Ironman. I don’t think anyone would ever complain about the bike they ride after trying Henry’s bike out. The bike didn’t have many gears and was extremely heavy, no compact cranks or clipless pedals to help on the hills. The run was like a desolate highway, no crowds of fans cheering you on or thousands of runners to commiserate with. Just you and the wonderful Sag volunteers that you got to help follow you on this crazy thing called Ironman. What a journey.
I talked with his daughter Toni for a little while as well, and at one point she pulled me to the side and told me about Henry’s cancer. They had recently found out about it, and the prognosis wasn’t good. She told us she wasn’t sure how many more events he would be able to attend, but that speaking with people and being at the events was truly one of his favorite past times. Toni gave me her card and we hugged and promised to keep in touch. I believe that event was one of the last one’s that he attended while in a working capacity. Toni and I always talked at events, and Jeff and I would get the latest updates. The poor family truly went on a rollercoaster ride through his illness. Henry had a risky surgery that would yield questionable results. The surgery left them hopeful after one doctors visit showed no cancer. This was the last thing that I had heard from Toni, and it was around the end of May.
I opened my email this morning to learn of Henry’s passing, and it really hit home with me. I will always visit the Try-A-Tri tent at events, but it will be very hard the first time I get to see Toni again and Henry isn’t there with his reassuring words. He always remained optimistic, and was the first one to cheer for other people. I hope you will help his family with your thoughts and prayers, and if you haven’t visited Try-A-Tri please do. The business is run by the family, and spreads his message through everything they sell.
Cool Class!
Greg Spindler is organizing a stretching/flexibility workshop this weekend. Greg is AWESOME, he is one of the reasons I was able to train and complete an IM with a separated tailbone.
Contact: (864)877-3500 $64 for one, just $94 to bring a friend, bring towels or yoga mat
When: Saturday November 8, 2008 9-4pm
Where: Buncombe Street United Methodist Church
200 Buncombe Street, Greenville, SC
To see more information about his workshop go to:
http://www.gregspindler.com/wellness.html
