Memorable HTFU moments

More recently, Angela Naeth at 70.3WC was pretty tough:

http://angelanaeth.blogspot.com/2012/09/what-happened-out-there.html

I recall a female competitor at Kona a few years ago who crashed on her bike two weeks before the race.  She had all kinds of road rash and even a partially torn pec, but competed regardless.  I think she did pretty well in that race too, if I remember correctly...

Or do you want our own HTFU moments?

Jan 2, 1994 - Emmitt Smith separated his shoulder just before halftime but led the Cowboys to a win over the Giants in the final game of the season to secure the division title. A running back, with a separated shoulder, 229 all purpose yards, 41 yards on the winning drive in OT. 

And I hate the Cowboys.

At the Xterra race I did a few weeks ago...

A guy destroyed his tire 8 miles or so into the 15 mile bike. He ran the bike the rest of the bike course while pushing his bike, got to T2 dead last, and put on his running shoes and went out for the 5 mile run.

+1

That's a name that most will recognize instantly.... but, I couldn't tell you, for the life of me, who it was that won that race. Her 2nd place is the greatest, ever.

+1 for Julie Moss..

NFL  -  Ronnie Lott.  having part of his Pinky removed so he didn't miss a game....  I think it was a Superbowl..

OK, going off memory here......

Several years back, US womens gymnastics team.  Wins gold because last competitor performed with a broken foot or ankle.  Kerri Strug?

Several of my cycling friends still say "Hoogerland the F up" instead of Harden....    

Team Hoyt.

http://www.teamhoyt.com/about/index.html

Being from the Boston area I've seen them in person a few times along the route and read multiple articles in the local papers on their quests for years.  Absolute inspiration.

Google Ann Trason......

Should that moment be counted as "Juiced the "F" up?

Not Tri related but ... http://www.videobash.com/video_show/2011-chad-reed-crash-millville-34725

Chad went on to finish that 35 minute moto and actually score points.  Dude is a Bad mofo.  He has also raced in the past with a dislocated shoulder among other things. 

I had five flat tires in my first tri (a half iron). Quitting never crossed my mind. I bummed tubes and co2 off other riders and finished the fracking race. It just made me more determined to come back and get better.

In my last stand alone marathon, my knees hurt, my back hurt, and my ribs were hurting so bad that I was near tears just trying to take a breath. Facing one last hill, my pacer looked at me and asked if I like Star Wars. I said yes, and he said "This isn't the hill you're looking at!" Complete with the jedi hand wave. It gave me enough to laugh and finish. I later found out that he had a stress fracture in his knee prior to even starting the marathon. He showed up with his knee taped - talk about a htfu.

To be honest though - none of the crazy/stupid/painful things I've chosen to do compares to any of the things that I or others have had to live through. My friend is raising her two teenage boys by herself now because her husband was killed in the line of duty. She doesn't get to dnf. Another two friends (both triathletes ) are on the tail end of battling breast cancer. (eta both are doing better) They don't get to dnf either. So when things get tough, I remember that I chose this, put a smile on my face, and enjoy what I'm doing.

Edited by ironultrared 2012-10-12 5:02 PM