What it Takes
by Nelle @ Confessions of an HonoreeHey Team,
After our Sunday morning practice yesterday I was reflecting on what it is inside each of you that has driven you to take on this major physical and mental feat. I know it is different for every person on the team and watching all of you rhythmically stroke through the water for almost 2 hours and then jump on your bikes with high spirits to ride 20 miles (including that lovely hill) made me wonder . . .
When I got home I popped in the DVD "What it Takes" (which we hope to make an honoree event so you can all see it too) which is about 4 Ironman pro's: Peter Reid, Luke Bell, Lori Bowden and Heather Fuhr and what they went through to get to Kona in 2005. The thing is, I never got a clear picture of what it was that made them continue to race . . .
Then, this morning I read the following excerpt from Matthew's blog (written by his mother). Many of you have heard me talk about Matthew and his second round battling ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). He and his family recently moved their whole family from Los Altos to Duke, North Carolina so that Matthew can attempt a semi-experimental cord blood transplant to save his life. Matthew is 8 years old.
"We had a special pass to climb to the top of Duke Chapel Tower. We were surprised by Matthew, who very triumphantly, climbed most of the 256-step narrow spiraling stairwell by himself. Literally, at times, he got down on his hands and knees and kept climbing until he was too tired, and then took a break. We were so impressed since he was still recovering from his surgery yesterday (he got another line put in and was very sore in two spots on his chest), and he has generally been having muscle weakness, from the chemo (which can cause muscle atrophy). But, he was so determined to do it himself. Ely and I just felt joy to see him independently take on this personal challenge, even though we were offering to carry him at any time. Matthew was feeling really good about himself in the end, and THAT WAS SO SYMBOLIC FOR US, as we get close to the transplant date. "
I finally had my answer - it is your Determination, Independence, Strength, Self Confidence and Compassion . . . that is why you make this journey and will all finish at the tape of that Ironman with hands held high.
GO LONG - GO TEAM
After our Sunday morning practice yesterday I was reflecting on what it is inside each of you that has driven you to take on this major physical and mental feat. I know it is different for every person on the team and watching all of you rhythmically stroke through the water for almost 2 hours and then jump on your bikes with high spirits to ride 20 miles (including that lovely hill) made me wonder . . .
When I got home I popped in the DVD "What it Takes" (which we hope to make an honoree event so you can all see it too) which is about 4 Ironman pro's: Peter Reid, Luke Bell, Lori Bowden and Heather Fuhr and what they went through to get to Kona in 2005. The thing is, I never got a clear picture of what it was that made them continue to race . . .
Then, this morning I read the following excerpt from Matthew's blog (written by his mother). Many of you have heard me talk about Matthew and his second round battling ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). He and his family recently moved their whole family from Los Altos to Duke, North Carolina so that Matthew can attempt a semi-experimental cord blood transplant to save his life. Matthew is 8 years old.
"We had a special pass to climb to the top of Duke Chapel Tower. We were surprised by Matthew, who very triumphantly, climbed most of the 256-step narrow spiraling stairwell by himself. Literally, at times, he got down on his hands and knees and kept climbing until he was too tired, and then took a break. We were so impressed since he was still recovering from his surgery yesterday (he got another line put in and was very sore in two spots on his chest), and he has generally been having muscle weakness, from the chemo (which can cause muscle atrophy). But, he was so determined to do it himself. Ely and I just felt joy to see him independently take on this personal challenge, even though we were offering to carry him at any time. Matthew was feeling really good about himself in the end, and THAT WAS SO SYMBOLIC FOR US, as we get close to the transplant date. "
I finally had my answer - it is your Determination, Independence, Strength, Self Confidence and Compassion . . . that is why you make this journey and will all finish at the tape of that Ironman with hands held high.
GO LONG - GO TEAM
Leave a Reply
What it Takes
by Nelle @ Confessions of an Honoree
Hey Team,
After our Sunday morning practice yesterday I was reflecting on what it is inside each of you that has driven you to take on this major physical and mental feat. I know it is different for every person on the team and watching all of you rhythmically stroke through the water for almost 2 hours and then jump on your bikes with high spirits to ride 20 miles (including that lovely hill) made me wonder . . .
When I got home I popped in the DVD "What it Takes" (which we hope to make an honoree event so you can all see it too) which is about 4 Ironman pro's: Peter Reid, Luke Bell, Lori Bowden and Heather Fuhr and what they went through to get to Kona in 2005. The thing is, I never got a clear picture of what it was that made them continue to race . . .
Then, this morning I read the following excerpt from Matthew's blog (written by his mother). Many of you have heard me talk about Matthew and his second round battling ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). He and his family recently moved their whole family from Los Altos to Duke, North Carolina so that Matthew can attempt a semi-experimental cord blood transplant to save his life. Matthew is 8 years old.
"We had a special pass to climb to the top of Duke Chapel Tower. We were surprised by Matthew, who very triumphantly, climbed most of the 256-step narrow spiraling stairwell by himself. Literally, at times, he got down on his hands and knees and kept climbing until he was too tired, and then took a break. We were so impressed since he was still recovering from his surgery yesterday (he got another line put in and was very sore in two spots on his chest), and he has generally been having muscle weakness, from the chemo (which can cause muscle atrophy). But, he was so determined to do it himself. Ely and I just felt joy to see him independently take on this personal challenge, even though we were offering to carry him at any time. Matthew was feeling really good about himself in the end, and THAT WAS SO SYMBOLIC FOR US, as we get close to the transplant date. "
I finally had my answer - it is your Determination, Independence, Strength, Self Confidence and Compassion . . . that is why you make this journey and will all finish at the tape of that Ironman with hands held high.
GO LONG - GO TEAM
After our Sunday morning practice yesterday I was reflecting on what it is inside each of you that has driven you to take on this major physical and mental feat. I know it is different for every person on the team and watching all of you rhythmically stroke through the water for almost 2 hours and then jump on your bikes with high spirits to ride 20 miles (including that lovely hill) made me wonder . . .
When I got home I popped in the DVD "What it Takes" (which we hope to make an honoree event so you can all see it too) which is about 4 Ironman pro's: Peter Reid, Luke Bell, Lori Bowden and Heather Fuhr and what they went through to get to Kona in 2005. The thing is, I never got a clear picture of what it was that made them continue to race . . .
Then, this morning I read the following excerpt from Matthew's blog (written by his mother). Many of you have heard me talk about Matthew and his second round battling ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). He and his family recently moved their whole family from Los Altos to Duke, North Carolina so that Matthew can attempt a semi-experimental cord blood transplant to save his life. Matthew is 8 years old.
"We had a special pass to climb to the top of Duke Chapel Tower. We were surprised by Matthew, who very triumphantly, climbed most of the 256-step narrow spiraling stairwell by himself. Literally, at times, he got down on his hands and knees and kept climbing until he was too tired, and then took a break. We were so impressed since he was still recovering from his surgery yesterday (he got another line put in and was very sore in two spots on his chest), and he has generally been having muscle weakness, from the chemo (which can cause muscle atrophy). But, he was so determined to do it himself. Ely and I just felt joy to see him independently take on this personal challenge, even though we were offering to carry him at any time. Matthew was feeling really good about himself in the end, and THAT WAS SO SYMBOLIC FOR US, as we get close to the transplant date. "
I finally had my answer - it is your Determination, Independence, Strength, Self Confidence and Compassion . . . that is why you make this journey and will all finish at the tape of that Ironman with hands held high.
GO LONG - GO TEAM