My “A” Race

Well, I told you that I’d blog about the race I am doing to raise funds/awareness for ALS research.  So…here is that blog.

The race I am doing is called the Longhorn Half Iron Man.  It’s a Half Ironman Triathlon, in Austin, TX., on October 5th, 2008.  This is by far the longest race I will have ever competed in.  It goes a little something like this:  1.2 Mile Swim, 56 Mile Bike, 13.1 Mile Run.  Sounds fun doesn’t it?  I have been training essentially all year, although I have really been picking it up these last few months.  It’s quite exhausting.  Here is a picture of me after my last brick (40 Mile Bike, 6 Mile Run).

 Nice spandex huh.  War on ALS.  They are custom, and gives a glimpse as to why I am doing this.  

There was a young man named Jon Blais, who was a triathlete.  At the age of 33, he was diagnosed with ALS.  He was committed to bringing awareness to the disease, so he did an Ironman Triathlon…the big daddy one in Kona.  He finished, barrell rolling across the line.  The next year, he went to Kona to watch others from the front row seat in his wheelchair.  It had taken a toll on him, and he could no longer walk. Many, many people that year barrel rolled across this finish to show support for Jon.  The following year, he passed away.  

Still today, many people in triathlons all over the world roll across the finish line.  It’s a show of support, and solidarity for people with ALS.  I will roll across the finish line on October 5th.

Everyday when I train, I am overcome with sadness for my Father.  He was only diagnosed on May 22nd of this year.  ALS has wrecked his body.  He now is at home, confined to his bed.  He is hooked up to a BiPap machine, and oxygen.  His lungs are finished, they won’t work for him any longer.  His numbers must be monitored constantly.  It’s a horribly sad state to be in.  I am running for him.  

I love this picture to the right here.  This was taken 2 weeks ago, while he was still breathing comfortably.  That is Ms. Reagan on his lap.  All night long she was snuggling with him, and loving on him, and giving him sloppy wet kisses.  I just sat next to his chair witnessing it, with tears in my eyes.  I pray that she remembers her Papaw. 

I want to ask a huge favor of you all.  Please consider standing with me against this awful disease.  Despite 20 million people dying from ALS since 1869, there hasn’t been any significant effort to treat or cure this disease. ALS patients everywhere are basically offered the same treatment options as Lou Gehrig in 1939. Without raising awareness and funding, ALS will not receive the research efforts necessary to find a cure and will continue to strike down every person who is diagnosed.  Please donate to the War on ALS, and support me as I raise awareness.  Visit my donations site here, and scroll down to the bottom where it says, “Make a Contribution.”

Thank you all.  Please continue to pray for my Dad Ben.  Pray for his peace, and comfort.  Thank you all, and God bless you!