In February 2013, I found out that I was selected as part of the BECOME ONE team to train for and compete in the 2013 Ironman World Championships in October. The featured athlete and team captain, retired Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver and Superbowl MVP, was Hines Ward. I was joined by my teammates Josh Kalb and Chrisann Dalton to accompany Hines on this journey.
The memorable journey took us through months of training, racing and growing. Coached by 8 time Ironman World Champion, Paula Newby Fraser, I undertook the challenge and the obstacles that stood between me and the goal I set after losing my leg.
This part of my journey ends with me crossing the finish line in 11 hrs and 54 minutes. The lessons learned during this training launched my Ironman career being the first of seven Ironman finishes. I spent hours and hours with my prosthetics practitioner, Peter Harsch, to develop a bike and run leg ready to take on the distances required. This challenge was much more difficult then initially expected. Three staff infections in the months approaching the race left me asking why I set this goal, but the support I received from my new friends and my family carried me through the race.