Dead Last At The Shamrock Du
Yesterday I completed the Shamrock Du (5k, 16m, 5k) as a guide for a disabled athlete who was sponsored by Achilles International (achillesinternational.org). We came in last, the importance of which pales by comparison with the miracle that is Colleen. 19 months ago Colleen suffered devastating injuries when she was run over by a truck while cycling. Since then Colleen has undergone 19 surgeries, the last of which involved her kidney and a stent, 8 days before yesterday's race.
Colleen was a triathlete before her accident. And she is still a fierce competitor. 3 weeks ago I watched Colleen run a 1/2 marathon with her husband as a guide. Yesterday she did a duathlon with me and another Achilles guide, while her husband got to enjoy a rare opportunity to compete as just another racer. 3 weeks, 2 races, 1 surgical procedure.
This du was Colleen's first time on a bike in a race since she was injured. She told me her two main concerns heading into the race were: would she be able to sustain the run; and would she be able to pedal up the hills (yes this was a hilly course, see Kim Dubord's RR for more on that). Her solution was to begin with a 12+ minute pace and walk if she had to. She didn't know if she'd be able to pedal the hills so if she got into trouble I was to grab her bike and we'd walk the hills. She pedaled every inch of the hills (Colleen finished overall 350/351, 327 on the bike!). She never complained once, never even hinted at wanting help on the hills. All she wanted to know was did I think she could handle the hills at IM Timberman 70.3 in August. Oh yes, her plan is to do Timberman! Her toughness on the course yesterday was awesome. Wouldn't bet against her.
After the race Colleen, her husband and I got some lunch and drove to a local lake where there is a sprint tri series. Colleen wanted to see the lake where she'd be practicing for TImberman!
Yesterday I thought I was doing something to help someone else, came to understand someone else was helping me. Thank you Colleen!
Comments
Please wish her the best at Timberman!!!
@Bill - will do!
@Al - to contact Colleen, Facebook link below, and a link to an article. Thank you.
https://www.facebook.com/ColleenKellyA?fref=ts
http://yalemedicine.yale.edu/winter2013/features/feature/147795
If you and/or Colleen ever want to ride/run, let me know!
@Kim below is the picture from race day. EN teammates!
Kim, Jess, Bill, Tim, Robin, John, Brenda, Al: Thank you for your words of encouragement, they were passed along to Colleen. And they serve as yet another example that EN is so much more than training.
Achilles International has 65 chapters across the US and internationally. To find more about the organization, or maybe look into becoming a guide, or just know of a resource to direct an athlete their way, go to achillesinternational.org.