FEATURE STORY

2008 HAWAII IRONMAN
I just got home from another epic trip to the big island for the 30th annual Hawaii Ironman triathlon. The race changes people’s lives even if you’re only a spectator. I have competed in the race several times and have watched it live five more times and each time it has had a huge affect on me. This year had an even bigger impact because I had a hand in helping someone prepare for the race, Ricky James.

Not long ago I got a call that Ricky had broken his back and was paralyzed from the chest down like myself. It was devastating news and all I could do was let he and his family know that it would be okay and that he would somehow surprise them and maybe even himself with his ability to rise above the injury and do great things. It wasn’t lip service. I believed deep down that he would.

Well, here we are several years later and Ricky has figured out a way to ride his motorcycle and has competed in the Baja 500, encouraged me to ride again after 18 years and even back flipped into a foam pit. He has also been racing trucks - and winning! His most recent achievement was taking on the Hawaii Ironman and finishing it. He is doing great things.

Less than a year ago we chatted about the possibility of him doing the toughest single day event in the world and he jumped on it. For months he built up his training days to eventual 100 mile bike rides followed by more miles in his racing chair along with a lot of laps in the pool. This past Saturday competed in the Ironman and finished in 12 hours and 44 minutes! For a 20-year old kid in a wheelchair to train less than a year and finish that race is both remarkable and inspiring.

Congratulations Ricky, you’re an IRONMAN.

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Stay tuned for a more in depth story of Ricky’s road to Kona in Racer X magazine.

Photos by Jill Prichard of the Challenged Athletes Foundation

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