FCA Upstate NY returns from Placid!

We had a terrific time at Lake Placid during the 2010 Ironman competition.  Now that the muscles have started to recover, it's time to reflect on a truly inspirational weekend.

Tail O' The Pup BBQ.  Delicious!

We arrived at the North Pole campground on Thursday afternoon, set up camp, and discussed plans for a light workout that afternoon.  We decided we'd take a 15 mile ride into town (those were the last 15 miles of the bike course), take a look around town and then ride part of the run course on our way back home.  The roads in Placid are different than what we're used to here in Canandaigua, in that they appear slightly flat or even downhill, when they actually have an uphill component.  I kept checking my rear tire to make sure it wasn't flat!

Bike course recon

Riding the run course was absolutely beautiful!  The course runs next to a river and is fairly flat and twisty. It was some of the best riding we experienced while we were there.  We made it back to camp only moments before the skies opened up in an absolute deluge, and enjoyed turkey burgers and turkey hot dogs on the grill.

Iron Prayer IMLP

The following day we attended the Iron Prayer service at the Lake Placid Baptist Church.  Since our group is new this year not only to Ironman competitions, but also to FCA Endurance, this would be our first exposure to Iron Prayer.  The service consisted of singing many different praise and worship songs punctuated by four different speakers.  All of the speakers were a blessing, but several things really caught our attention and made an impression on the entire group.

The first speaker was a former Army Airborne Chaplain that was hit by a car during her training ride (by one of the paratroopers in her unit, no less!).  She sustained a shattered leg and used her rehabilitation program as training for her first Ironman competition.  Her speech was full of energy and enthusiasm, but it truly impressed us that her attitude during the injury was that of praising her Savior.  She didn't whine and pout about what had already happened.  She decided to use that time to focus on God and not her injuries.  What an example!

Another speaker was involved with C Different.  This is an organization that helps visually-impaired athletes compete in events such as Ironman.  Two athletes are paired together during the swim, during a tandem bike ride, and during the marathon.  It was inspirational to see that these athletes would use their Ironman experience to help someone else.  We were all inspired by how selfless the organization was.

During the C Different testimony, the speaker made a comment about praying during his Ironman competition.  He told a story of seeing a stranded athlete on the side of the road with a flat tire and praying that God would help him to find help and change the tire quickly.  He mentioned that the same scene repeated itself numerous times during the bike ride, only to be followed by the same prayer.  That's when it dawned on him that HE was the assistance that God was sending!

We finally got to meet one of our Facebook buddies who is an FCA Endurance athlete from another huddle.  We cheered for him during his swim and saw him several times during the bike.  He actually stopped to chat with us to let us know how his race was going, and said he had stopped to change a flat tire for a woman that was crying next to her bike on the side of the road.  WOW!  What a selfless thing to do!  It REALLY blew our minds when we saw him later and he said that he had stopped and helped ANOTHER athlete with a flat tire!!!  What an inspiration to everyone in the group to put into application the lesson we had learned from the previous night!

Ironman Eric

An athlete from our huddle competed in the Ironman Lake Placid this year.  This would be his first Ironman competition.  His entire family was there to cheer him on, and we all wore identical T-shirts that read "Ironman Eric - Run with endurance the race set before you.  Hebrews 12:1".  We tried to stage ourselves throughout the course to cheer Eric on, and we were amazed how calm and fresh he looked during his race.  The most inspiring part of the competition was to watch the months of training and dedication pay off for Eric in his execution of the race.  Eric had worked with a coach all year, and they developed a plan that would keep Eric on-pace and allow him to race "within himself".  His plan was executed perfectly, and he had a terrific race.  There was nary a dry eye in our group as Eric stoically entered the Olympic Arena!  Eric was welcomed by his support team, friends, family and his wonderful wife.  What a personal triumph to be proud of!

We wanted to say "Well Done!" to Eric Malone and Andy Nazworth during Ironman Lake Placid 2010.  But we also wanted to say what a great encouragement these athletes are to our group.  Not only do they train diligently, they are an example to everyone about what a Christian competitor should look like.  We also wanted to offer our spouses and families a heartfelt "Thank You" for their sacrifices.  But most of all we wanted to say "Thank You" to God for giving us bodies that are able to compete and enjoy His creation, and bring glory to Him.

Let the competition begin.  Let the glory be God's!