Over the next week or so, Fitspeek will be primarily text and pictures. Fitspeek was designed to be a more permanent place than Facebook to post observations from my racing, training, and interactions with people in the endurance sports community. We start with the picture above. If you didn’t know it, you may think that this was some sort of cult indoctrination ritual. It sort of was and I bought into it 100%.
In this picture, taken at about 6:20 AM on Saturday August 5, 2017 are some of the most important people in my life at one of the most intense moments of my life. This picture is also sort of a time bridge between my past, present, and future. My first set of reflections deals with people.
At the centre of the circle is Race Director Steve Brown. His masterful organizational skills and compassionate spirit got all of us to the finish line.
On the far right of the outer circle, wearing a green t-shirt and red back-pack is Andrew. He was my paddler for the 10…er 11 kilometres that I swam for the 1st event of the race.
On the left side of the outer circle you will see a guy with a white t-shirt. He is Fitspeek co-host Kevin Watt. Kevin was the crew member responsible for safety, photography, and bike support. He also provided me tremendous wisdom and compassion during my dark moments, and there were many.
What is really cool is that in this picture, is that he is standing between Rob and Heidi Bryden – people that I swam with in my 1st Master’s Swim Course back in Airdrie, Alberta, 17 years ago.
The other guy in a white t-shirt on the left side of the outer circle is Sean David. He was a calming influence in the sometimes crazy and intense 31 hours that I spent out on the Ultra 520 race course. His technical expertise in tracking my calories helped ensure that I had enough energy to go the distance.
Standing to the left of the guy in a beard and a purple t-shirt is a person who has experienced incredible personal and physical growth over the past few years. Rio Glowasky is now a hard-ass runner ready to take on her first marathon. In addition to her athletic talents, Rio was the right-brained creative genius who designed the crew t-shirts, supplied me with buckets of positive energy, and a never-ending supply of Rio Gels! As a side note, Rio may be working with that bearded dude at next year’s Ultra 520!
To Rio’s left is our Crew Chief (although she called herself something else). Elise Reeh organized the crew’s duties, indulged my “princess-like” behaviour over the past nine months, selflessly handled the shell of my body after each of the stages. My amazing wife (Ironman 2005) is also without doubt the most driven and wise person I know. After knowing and loving her for 27 years, my respect and admiration for her continue to grow daily.
In the next few updates, I’ll be posting some pictures about special moments in the expedition!