EverymanTri.com

18 Hours, little glory but all guts

When Jeff Schmidt stood at the starting line of the 2012 Ironman World Championship in Kona earlier this fall, he had already overcome pain and suffering far beyond what the average human endures. Little did he know, however, just how far he would have to go to make it to the finish of the iconic event. This segment put together by the folks at NBC Bay Area does a beautiful job telling the disabled triathlete's inspiring story and, in fact, it may be one of the more inspiring stories to come out of Kona in a while.

Video of the Day: What does triathlon mean to you?

What does triathlon mean to you?

In this video the German National Triathlon team contemplates the meaning of the sport?

To swim, bike and run everyday...you have to be passionate about triathlon and these athletes certainly are.

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Video: Triathlete saves life of a near stranger by donating his kidney

Would you donate your kidney to somebody you met for only a few minutes?

That's probably question that most people will never face, but that's a question that John Barker (a triathlete from Minneapolis) answered with an astonishing yes.

John Barker was visiting his parents in Wisconsin when by chance he met Lee Krecklow, who was suffering from kidney failure.

"I didn't even want to get out of bed in the morning, I just would rather have stayed in bed all day. It got to the point, I couldn't even walk around the block without having to stop and rest," said Krecklow.

The two men briefly chatted and John went back home to Minneapolis but that's not where this story ends.

A few days later Krecklow got a message on his answering machine that would change his life forever from Barker. It was the gift of life.

You can watch the rest of the story below.

Photo of the Day: Chrissie Wellington tweets her Kona ride

Is this the winning women's bike at this year's Ironman World Championships?

We'll know in a few weeks?

Chrissie retweeted the photo along with, "The Ride.....@ridecannondale for those who missed out the first time!"

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Video: Can you imagine racing a triathlon with no arms?

So can you imagine racing and finishing a 70.3 Ironman triathlon with no arms? Imagine how you would change out of your wetsuit, or ride the bike, or even tie your running shoes.

These are just some of the challenges that Hector Picard had to overcome as he raced the 70.3 Ironman in California earlier this year.

Hector is just one of the athletes that the Challenged Athlete Foundation helped. In fact, the CAF distributed over $1.4 million dollars to 980 athletes in 22 countries. You can read today's full press release below the video.

But we suggest that you first watch the video as Hector shows how he manages to not only race but finish fast without the use of his arms or hands.

"The Million Dollar Ironman"

On 8^th October 2011 at the Ironman world championships in Kona, Eric Harr will attempt to break the 9 hour barrier and in the process raise $1 million dollars for CARE, a leading global humanitarian organisation of which he’s an ambassador, via Twitter.

While many will know him as a TV host, newspaper and magazine columnist, author of five triathlon books (including the best selling Triathlon Training in 4 hours a Week) and leading social strategist, he’ll need to execute a near perfect race to do what only 48 people did last year (in good conditions) and go sub 9 in arguably the toughest one day sporting event in the world.

Just released: the extended version of the Iron Blazeman music video

The world's best triathletes got together last year with a few legends of Rock n' Roll to record a song to raise money for the Blazeman Foundation for ALS in honor of its founder...Jon Blais.

You can read all about how, why and when they recorded this song HERE, and of course you can download the song from iTunes to support the cause, or visit The Blazeman Foundation for ALS HERE.

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Fun holiday IM music video: Please Please Santa (Can you help me get a new bike?)

It wasn't all that long ago that an A-list of professional triathletes and Rock n' Roll legends got together to record a song to help raise money for the Blazeman Foundation for ALS in honor of its founder: Jon Blais...as you may recall from THIS story.

That musical spark seems to have started a small Ironman musical fire with the new video below.

David Shultz and his Ironband are in the process of forming a musical and charitable collaboration with former lead singer Mark Mason, of Ampage and now of Iron Blazeman song fame, to help raise more money for the Blazeman Foundation.

David sent his song (see video below) to Mark and according to Ironband's web site:

Video: HBO Real Sports catches up again with Dick and Rick Hoyt

As you probably may, or may not know, Dick and Rick Hoyt have completed over 240 triathlons and 68 marathons. The father and son racing team have also inspired countless of amateur athletes as almost every weekend they prove that physical disability and age can't stop the human spirit.

Recently HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel caught up with the pair again as the two veteran runners and triathletes just keep racing each weekend, and now have even begun a new movement of disabled athletes.

What's amazing about the Hoyts, besides that the fact that they even race at all, is really how much love and devotion the father and son share when they are not in the media spotlight, running the Boston marathon, or taking on the Ironman World Championships.

Video: World's best pro triathletes rock on to fight ALS

The world's best triathletes got together recently with a few legends of Rock n' Roll to record a song to raise money for the Blazeman Foundation for ALS in honor of its founder...Jon Blais.

You can read all about how, why and when they recorded this song HERE, and of course you can download the song from iTunes to support the cause, or visit The Blazeman Foundation for ALS HERE.

Follow on twitter @everymantri or view latest videos on YouTube.

Video: Florida triathlete battles back to race from near-death collision

You may recall THIS horrible story that we reported last year. As you may remember Florida triathlete Miguel Tellez was involved in a terrible collision with a SUV while leading the bike portion of a triathlon in Key Biscayne, Florida.

Fast Forward to this past weekend and Miguel Tellez was back from the almost dead, and racing in Miami at this weekend's 70.3 triathlon.

According to NBCMiami.com:

"Tellez broke his wrist, his elbow, his helmet, he suffered a concussion, tore an ACL and MCL and needed stitches on his head and legs.

"I was actually very happy that day," he said. "Because I was happy to be alive."

Video: Triathlon's biggest loser does it without TV cameras or a trip to the ranch

You might call Dan Benintendi triathlon's biggest loser. The former 400 pound amateur athlete turned his life around in a dramatic way by not only losing weight but by doing it in proper triathlon style.

Take a look at this inspirational video that chronicle's Dan's journey from the hospital all the to the longest distance triathlon's (the Ironman) and beyond.

World's best pro triathletes rock on with Rock 'n Roll legends for ALS

Some of the biggest names in the sport of triathlon and the rock world have teamed up and recorded a charity record to raise awareness of the Blazeman Foundation for ALS in honor of  its founder...Jon Blais.

Only 45-minutes of racing but a lifetime of accomplishment

Editor's Note: Our friend Paralympian Trish Downing recently returned from England where she won a race that lasted only about 45-minutes. You might be wondering why fly fron Denver to London for such a short race...at least that's what she was thinking. The inspiring answer to that question is in her race report below.

Since I returned from my trip last weekend, I have been asked this question several times: “why would you fly all the way to London for a race that lasted no more than 45 minutes?” Well, for one, because I can. And two, this was more than just any race. Not only was it an honor to be invited to participate in the event and be part of the U.S. squad, but it is yet another step in showing the worldwide enthusiasm, skill and participation levels in paratriathlon (triathlon for physically challenged athletes) as we collectively strive to be accepted and included as a Paralympic sport.

Video: Last minute 70.3 Ironman World Championships ocean swim course change

Thanks to a choppy ocean and lingering weather conditions from Tropical
Storm Ida, the 70.3 World Championships swim in the ocean has been relocated
to the inner bay.

Not only were race officials having extreme difficulty with buoy placement,
but age grouper athletes were especially concerned about having to battle
the ferocious swells at Clearwater Beach.

On the other hand, during the pre-race press conference, both male and
female pros expressed annoyance at the swim venue change. Most were looking
forward to showcasing their beach start speed and superior open water skills
in the difficult conditions.

In the video, Everymantri reporter Ben Greenfield (who is also racing)
explains the conditions on Friday in Clearwater.

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Video: Blatant cheating documented at Ironman Florida

Ironman Florida has long been known for athletes blatantly drafting (read cheating) on the bike. The course is pancake flat which makes for perfect drafting conditions for those unwilling to abide by the rules.

At this weekend's race an intrepid triathlete mounted a camera on his helmet during the bike portion, and documented some of the more blatant drafting.

Add a bit of appropriate music, and what you end up with is an interesting video that makes a strong case for changing the current rules to a stronger form of drafting enforcement as clearly the current system does not catch all the cheaters.

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