GOL Staff Meeting

A great day always starts with not going to work and meeting your brother for a ride to anywhere. This morning Lon and I set off to attend a Gift Of Life staff meeting with Terry and Paul. Lon presented Paul with his Tri For Life race suit now that Paul is a member of the team. We also got a chance to say a few words about our experience at the games to hopefully assure the GOL workers once again of the magnitude of their effect on everyone involved. Terry said a few words and the response never gets old when he states his view or pieces of his story. You can almost feel the oxygen leave the room when he says he got our brother's heart. We also got to meet Paul's mom and LIVING DONOR Wendy! That just blows me away.

It was really cool to see the people who I only know as the Pittsburgh folks again as it took me back to that eutopic feeling. Kathy, Karen, Jennifer, and Kim all feel to me like I've known them for a long time, but in reality I've just spoke with them on a few occasions. Just very incredible people and oh so fun! Kim definitely gets my all-star pick of the week for nailing a movie quote from the 80's. Nobody would have gotten this one and she nailed it! Very impressive. Their dedication has got me itchin to get involved and do something worthwhile soon.

Every good day ends with the satisfaction of a good training session. (or at least a highly mediocre one) 5 mi @ 8:02/mi. Gotta do some speed work this week and get it down in the mid 7's.

The Games

This the first full day home from the 2008 U.S. Transplant games in Pittsburgh, I find myself even more enlightened by the experience. I think it takes coming home and reflecting back to realize the enormity of it all.

Many have asked since our return yesterday afternoon about the experience and how Terry did. I am sorry for the short answers without due elaboration, but I feel responsible to give the correct description. I just don't have the words to put you there. My Aunt Bonnie described it best on the way home. "It's not an event, but an atmosphere" In the elevator, on the street, anywhere there were people affected by transplant.
See you soon Peter!

This was my first Games since Chase's death and I have heard so much from Lon, Mom, Dad, and Aunt Bonnie that I thought upon arrival that my expectations were high. An oblivious thought. I have to admit that I was concerned for Terry to do well as I know he puts a lot of pressure on himself to do so. He is there representing Chase to some degree in his mind I'm sure and that's got to be a load. I soon witnessed a humanity that would change me forever and give me the true meaning of this wonderful weekend in Pittsburgh. To describe the events and what I saw would fall terribly short of the experience I'm afraid, so I'm not going to get into that.

The winners of these events were upstaged by roaring crowds cheering for last place finishers with only their spirit driving their weak, sick bodies to keep going. It was then that I believe the epiphany occurred. My life has seriously been changed and I can't tell you how humbly I am stating this. Something was instilled in me that was never there. The last piece of the puzzle that makes me understand more of life and it's purpose. I saw God's miracles all around me and the potential of the human spirit in the eyes of these unbelievable athletes. This was not a race amongst athletes, although many of them (especially Terry, Jerry, Paul, Ralph, Jenny, Holly, and many others) are top-notch athletes on any level. This was in it's most beautiful form, a testament to humanity and what we are capable of. I hope to never meet again the Trevor that left for Pittsburgh on Friday. I don't believe he is capable of the type of love that the Trevor that came back is.


I hope to be able to elaborate more on all of the events and camaraderie, but all I can think of right now is a very vague "meaning of it all".

Remember: If you think you might like your life or your loved one's life to be saved someday if you are facing death or transplant, then you are responsible for signing up to be a donor. Give the Gift Of Life.
Thank you Terry.

Long time comin

Well I have had so many thoughts that have came to mind lately that I wanted to remind myself to mention in the ol' blogmeister, but they mostly got swept away by busy weeks. I really need to be independantly wealthy to live the way I was intended. I need more time!

I know the one looming thing that I have taken great joy in lately when it comes to the purpose of this blog. (Remembrance of Chase, Organ Donation, Triatholns, in that order.) That is the time that I have spent with my family due to these causes. Lon and Brandon have both been over a few times recently for training and hanging out afterward. That doesn't sound like a big deal to some I'm sure, but for a lot of people like us the visits seem way too distant in between. We are all busy with work, school, training, and family. The visits lately have left me so thankful and feeling blessed. Lon and Brandon have brought their families on the last few visits and the time with my nieces and nephews is unbelievable. Boat rides, cookouts, and a really great campfire to finish the night are a few of my best memories so far for the summer 2008. Today being Father's Day, Mom and Dad and Aunt Bonnie joined the rest of us for another cookout. I guess the training and racing is why I started doing triathlons in the first place, but the end product of having the whole family being a part of the team and bringing us closer has taken such priority.

One more week and not much training left between now and race day. We are a product of the efforts we have put in since January or earlier. To Joe Jones, Tony Robinson, Cindy Perkins, Tri For Life Triathlon Team, and all the rest...Good Luck at BIG FISH!

Catchin up

Well it's been a minute since I've dropped by, but where has the time gone? With spring yard chores, work, and now some decent training I have been flying around with the next task coming to mind before I can catch my breath. Training is getting better with each workout and I can only hope to have confidence in my legs come raceday. I did my first real outdoor brick last Sunday with my good friend Tony Robinson. The wind was only 50mph from every direction, but the one we were riding in so it's hard to guage. It hurt more than it should have for a mere 20 miles I will confess. The conditions have been cold for this time of year and I just can't wait to get a good shirtless, sweaty, dehydrating run in. A little tired of layering and long-sleeves. Although I am excited for the lake to warm up for swimming, I have found it's cold temperatures to be extremely helpful in releasing the lactic acid after a hard session. Little harsh at first, but it gets rather soothing after a couple of minutes. If anyone out there in the Lapeer area wants to do some open water swimming this year, we are planning one for Sunday morning here on Lake Lapeer. Hats off to Cindy P. while we are talking about swimming. It's been a couple weeks since I've seen her in the lap lane and this morning she looked like very comfy. (She is a runner who just started the swim thing) Well it sounds like Big Fish is going to be a good turnout for the Tri For Life Team debut. I am excited to compete along side my two unbelievable brothers in honor of Chase and Organ Donation. I received the tattoos today also. Little smaller than I thought, but will be cool to stick on supporting athletes.
Don't worry...train happy!

Rainy Days

I read an article once that said rainy days are God's way of making sure obsessive athletes incorporate a rest day. Well I just say that it gets your running shoes all muddy. Put in some miles tonight and yes I got a little wet, but I am not where I need to be with only a month left of training. It's like an episode of American Chopper. Those guys are always cutting it close. (For TV Drama?) I also got 200 tattoos today! Relax Mom, I ordered them from Donate Life and they are temporary ones to give out at the events. The french girls @ Louis Garneau (who I am in love with if they look anything like their accents lead on) told me the team suits will be here for Big Fish so hat's off to them and a big thanks. Planning a brick @ Big Fish this Sunday if anyone is up for a little torture?

Back in the saddle

Well after a very anxious 4 weeks without any training to speak of. Just heating pads, ice packs, and ibuprofen. I hit the road for an easy 4 miles. Made sure to get the hammies nice and warm, but still felt the ping in the right one almost instantly. Just realax, I said to myself. Let her get loose. After 1/2 mile I had to stop, stretch, and walk a little. I decided to make my way through another 1/2 and stretch again. This is the way the whole run went for a total of 4 miles running and maybe 1.5 total walking in between the 1/2 mile intervals. The running part averaged 7:50/mile and best pace was 6:06. Finished off with a nice cool dip in the lake to attack the swelling immediately. It's good to be running again and I hope to continue gradually without reinjury. Lon, Brandon, and I are getting together this weekend to put some miles on the bikes so that will be the next test. Hopefully they'll take it easy on me this time.

Carefully Optimistic

I was really afraid that some manual labor over the weekend, my poor little hammy would be wrecked. Instead it feels a little better in fact. Maybe it's time for a little movement and light exercise. I sure hope so!

Got a shout from Lon over the weekend and he was contacted by a local journalist who wants to do a story about our team and it's cause. I stopped today to really put into perspective how much organ donation can effect people's lives. To think about the recipients you have to realize that every moment is one they wouldn't have had without a donor. As a donor family we look at the legacy of our beloved Chase and the unbelievable chain of events that has taken place in the past five years. One of the hardest things for me when Chase died was that for a week or so it was a big deal for everyone in the small town that we lived in, but after that everyone goes back to business and you are left shattered wondering if you will forget someday and move on also. You want time to stop and everyone to keep acknowledging that this tragedy has stopped your world from spinning. That's why organ donation is so important for the donor families also. We are constantly reminded of our hero and are watching his name and spirit live on. We can't change what has happend, but by the grace of God we were given these opportunities to spread awareness for organ donation and our brother Chase.