Since my last blog, during the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve personally struggled with inspirational words to help others navigate through these uncertain times, however I have found inspiration through others! So many of my athletes have inspired me along the way and I feel compelled to share this in hopes that it can inspire others to do great things, get out of a rut, do something positive or at the very least just read something that isn’t negative. Here is my list of inspirational Iron Fit Endurance athletes!
DEAN BRUNO: East Moriches Ironman
Dean had been training for Ironman Lake Placid when we decided that it would be too risky for him to compete, even if the race did happen in 2020. He told me that he wanted to do an Ironman that day anyway (yes, I thought he was nuts!) …and just like that, the East Moriches Ironman was born! Dean meticulously planned an event that could rival any race out there! I was fortunate to do the swim with Dean (an unforgettable memory), a little over half the bike and half the run as well. All who were involved in this event were forever changed and inspired by Dean’s grit, determination, and organization. The feeling of love was palpable as Deans friends and family gathered to support him that day, and Bobby Moore (a friend of Deans) decided to jump in and compete as well. Yes, they both smashed their PR’s in unforgettable fashion!
STACI BLANKET: Positivity always wins!
Staci had a terrible bike accident in July. One that required hip surgery to insert pins along with a broken leg and many other injuries. Staci could have wallowed in self-pity (she missed being a part of Dean’s EMOIM race, couldn't walk and the prognosis for recovery looked bleak), however she came out of surgery with a positive attitude despite being in severe pain and not being able to walk! Staci dedicated herself to recovery, never uttering a negative word, and today Staci is way ahead of her doctor's predictions of where she would be at this point! She is back to teaching spin class, sending our team strength workouts, and even rocking the run again! A true inspiration! Here's Staci back out on her bike for the first time:
HILARY TOPPER: Do something you have never done before!
Hilary decided to challenge herself this year by doing her first ever 70.3 Aqua Bike! Hilary had never biked 50 miles let alone string together a 1.2 Mile swim and 56-mile bike, but she did it this year! I was fortunate to witness her swim (she came out of the water saying that she wished the swim were longer)! I then hopped on the bike to do the beginning with her. Despite not having an actual “race”, Hilary pushed herself and accomplished something she did not think she could do just a few months before! So awesome!
RJ Ehli also found inspiration to create his own race after IM Chattanooga 70.3 was cancelled, so he decided to do his own 70.3 event...his very first 70.3!
Shayne Lewis also decided to try something different..by running 30 miles on Fire Island...from Robert Moses Field 5 to Davis Park and back!
ALEX MATTHEW: From Heart attack to 50 Mile Ultra-Run!
It was the fall of 2019 when Alex had his major heart attack. His first words to his Doctor? "when can I run again?"! Talk about determined, Alex started walking back and forth down the hallways of his hospital after major surgery! Alex never backed down and set the bar high. After running his first marathon a few months prior to the heart attack (Alex always a character actually ran 29 miles that day after making a wrong turn!) Alex set his sights on Ultra running. I was so lucky to be able to act as his "crew" for part of the 50 Miler and was so impressed with his fortitude, positive attitude, and incredible ability to organize every detail! Alex had every minute laid out for his crew so that when he came around, we knew exactly what food to give him, what to fill his bottles with and when to charge his phone! I'm excited to see what Alex thinks up next year!
JEFFREY REYNOLDS: Run every day!
Jeff starting running daily over the summer, even if it was just one mile. He enjoyed the challenge of keeping it up and now Jeff is up to a 177-day run streak and he’s still going! Just finding something small to keep you going every day is a great way to stay engaged and positive! Go Jeff! Thanks for the inspiration!
As a team we did some different things to keep us engaged and motivated: The IFE Summer Challenge was an 8-week team competition in which we created 7 person teams. Teams received points each week in different categories (swim, bike, run, strength, wellness, indulgences, etc.) …this was a super fun way to interact and compete with one another! The pictures below: Part of the IFE Summer Challenge winning team Jackie, Joann, Todd, and Maureen (Jeff, Gabby and Erin are missing) and a 5K race that counted towards IFE Summer Challenge points with Shayne, Gabby, R.J., Deepak and Olivia:
The IFE World Championships is a yearly tradition, and I was really happy to have it again this summer! Below are the podium winners: Arioch, Christina, and Jose (Top Relay), Shayne, Dean and Mark (Top 3 Overall), Noah and Todd 2nd place relay), Jackie Mike and JB (top Aqua bike)
We also just had the IFE 5K, 10K and ½ marathon which had Mark Shannon running his first ½ marathon ever, along with Christa Dwyer and Julie Michels running a PR in her ½ marathon! This was a great way to challenge ourselves!
So, while I may have been at a loss for words on how to navigate through these crazy times, my athletes have showed me that despite races in 2020, we can still rock some amazing accomplishments!!
Happy Training and racing!!
Dee