Para-Triathletes -- totally amazing inspiration
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2013-07-17 6:23 PM |
Master 3195 Just South of Boston | Subject: Para-Triathletes -- totally amazing inspiration I did the NYC Tri on Sunday, and among the racers was a field of PT athletes including the current tri world champ, other national champs of various distances/race types, and a number of other competitors, ex-military, blind, and others with various injuries. It may have been the most inspiring, fantastic thing I've ever seen at a sporting event, tri or otherwise. I was in the next group to hit the water after they started the swim, and watching them get to the barge, jump in and go was incredible. On the bike I had a chance to chat with a couple of the PT competitors and one comment has stuck with me. A gentleman who'd lost a leg in Afghanistan remarked "everyone has their thing, this is ours". I can't imagine the heart, soul, and guts it would take to get out there and compete after suffering an injury like a lost limb, but to see these folks do what they do, it was freakin' incredibly awesome. It was an honor & privilege to be on the course with them. |
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2013-07-17 8:39 PM in reply to: Mike_D |
Expert 1608 Grapevine, Texas | Subject: RE: Para-Triathletes -- totally amazing inspiration Totally agree, Mike. In my first OLY I was really nervous about the swim. Several waves of para triathletes swam before I did, and their courage totally inspired me. |
2013-07-17 8:47 PM in reply to: Mike_D |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: Para-Triathletes -- totally amazing inspiration Originally posted by Mike_D I did the NYC Tri on Sunday, and among the racers was a field of PT athletes including the current tri world champ, other national champs of various distances/race types, and a number of other competitors, ex-military, blind, and others with various injuries. It may have been the most inspiring, fantastic thing I've ever seen at a sporting event, tri or otherwise. I was in the next group to hit the water after they started the swim, and watching them get to the barge, jump in and go was incredible. On the bike I had a chance to chat with a couple of the PT competitors and one comment has stuck with me. A gentleman who'd lost a leg in Afghanistan remarked "everyone has their thing, this is ours". I can't imagine the heart, soul, and guts it would take to get out there and compete after suffering an injury like a lost limb, but to see these folks do what they do, it was freakin' incredibly awesome. It was an honor & privilege to be on the course with them. Micky D Congrats on your race and most of all on embracing what's best and most important in triathlon. Heart. The very first tri I did was a benefit for the Challenged Athletes Foundation and it made a massive impression on me to see so many visually, audially, physically challenged athletes out there (usually as they where zooming by me!) Also those who had guides ... just everything about it was awe-inspiring. Please see my sig line Also because I love him so much and I finally found someone as crazy as I am, I'm now together with a guy that Michael Phelps could only hope to be like ... he dominated 5 Paralympics in swimming and that's honestly not even the most impressive thing about his person or accomplishments. |
2013-07-18 6:01 AM in reply to: Mike_D |
1159 | Subject: RE: Para-Triathletes -- totally amazing inspiration it is seriously inspiring - at the Oly I did this past weekend there was a blind gentleman that I saw and the one the weekend before that where I volunteered, there was an amputee competing in the military division - seeing what they do, what they have overcome... |
2013-07-18 7:27 AM in reply to: Mike_D |
Master 2264 Sunbury, Pennsylvania | Subject: RE: Para-Triathletes -- totally amazing inspiration I remember starting to feel tired and wondering if I'd finish a race, then just a moment later, ai caught sight of a paratriathlete coming the other way on the bike course, and just immediately telling myself "oh yeah? Tell that guy you're just too fat and tired." |
2013-07-18 7:53 AM in reply to: Mike_D |
Royal(PITA) 14270 West Chester, Ohio | Subject: RE: Para-Triathletes -- totally amazing inspiration I have done several races where I saw the physically challenged athletes in various potions of the course and am always left feeling like a whiny baby when I complain of a little ache/ pain after seeing the obstacles they contend with. |
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2013-07-18 3:14 PM in reply to: Mike_D |
Veteran 348 Houston, TX | Subject: RE: Para-Triathletes -- totally amazing inspiration My first triathlon was the C Different triathlon. C different is a foundation dedicated to supporting blind athletes. I was amazed by their bravery and it helped me overcome my fears. |
Para-triathlete Hector Picard to compete in Conchman 2010, Freeport, Bahamas | |||
Totally shameless post for myself Pages: 1 2 3 | |||
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