tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post115922418198519589..comments2007-03-25T10:43:40.804-05:00Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16744317509367824251noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159759187957484902006-10-01T22:19:00.000-05:002006-10-01T22:19:00.000-05:00David great going. I can't imagine how much preperation this must take. Iam sure it is very helpful to have support along the way. A business friend of ours here sponsor a smaller event here each year. His name is todd Crandell. His web site is www.racingforrecovery.com.<BR/>He was an adict and turned hinself around. He is now doing this to encourage others to do the same. Congratulation on your 2nd place finish. Uncle Joe and aunt NancyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159752061787991992006-10-01T20:21:00.000-05:002006-10-01T20:21:00.000-05:00Hi David,<BR/><BR/>Congratulations on your acomplishment of completing and coming in 2nd in the Ironman!! <BR/><BR/>That is fantastic.<BR/><BR/>To me it is amazing that anyone could do that.<BR/>Like you say, I am sure that all the support that you recieved from your wife and parents helped. <BR/><BR/>Also it had to be an inspiration to see them along way cheering you on.<BR/><BR/>Congratulation again!!!!!!!!!!!<BR/><BR/>Love, <BR/>Uncle Roger and AnneRoger Gillennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159499260569534852006-09-28T22:07:00.000-05:002006-09-28T22:07:00.000-05:00David you have been an inspiration to us for all your years. We love you because of who your are, <BR/><BR/>because of what you mean to us and third and leastly of your athletic accomplishments. It seems <BR/><BR/>that your athletic accomplishments have taken a front seat recently. They are indeed incredible. <BR/><BR/>Mary and I have watched you at various stages along the way. Your lovely and supporting wife <BR/><BR/>Sharah has supported and encouraged your much more on a day to day basis. However, You set the <BR/><BR/>goals, swam, biked and ran the miles when no one was watching, no one was at your side, and no <BR/><BR/>one prevented you from stopping. You drove to Oklahoma Cith twice and rode the bike course to <BR/><BR/>practice. You swam with dead people, sorry private joke. You gave up other, more enjoyable, <BR/><BR/>endeavors to train and condition you body. Your completion of an Ironman distance triathlon is a <BR/><BR/>testament to your strength, discipline, determination and focus.<BR/><BR/>Your mother Mary and I have watched you race a few marathons and triathlons. We only have a <BR/><BR/>spectators perspective on these events. However, in communicating with you during your rediculus <BR/><BR/>training regiment we felt a comradery with you. We could tell you knew much more than we did <BR/><BR/>about what was required. You knew the mental, physical, nutritional aspects of training for an <BR/><BR/>Ironman. We were blown away by the duration and frequency of your "training" events. Half-ironman <BR/><BR/>distance tirathons and 100+ mile bike rides weekly were beyond our understanding. We appreciated <BR/><BR/>the effort, however, frankly we questioned the wisdom. They say Ironmen need to be a little <BR/><BR/>crazy, right?<BR/><BR/>The experience Saturday September23, was an extremely exciting experience for us. We have seen <BR/><BR/>seen you run other marathons, and triathlons. You appeared very spent during prior races we <BR/><BR/>observed. In contrast, you were the picture of conditioning and preparation for this race. We <BR/><BR/>were amazed at how fit and comfortable you looked throughout the entire event. The marathon after <BR/><BR/>the 2.4 mile 1.5 hour swim and 112 mile, 6 hour bike events was the most astonishing. You looked <BR/><BR/>so fresh and so fit that we knew you were going to finish and do really well. We could not see <BR/><BR/>the dehydration you were experiencing. We were not with you for the last few miles of the <BR/><BR/>marathon when the effect of dehydration set in and you called in your inner self to propel you to <BR/><BR/>the finish. <BR/><BR/>However, we felt most useful when we helped you to the medical tent and got you rehydrated. We <BR/><BR/>really felt for for you. I personally got a sense of what you endured and put out to finish this <BR/><BR/>race. You were our hero all day and that night as you have been your whole life.<BR/><BR/>The next morning when you were recognizeds and awarded your "2nd in age group" plaque was icing <BR/><BR/>on the cake. Seeing you in a room full of your peers receiving an award in you your first Ironman <BR/><BR/>distance triathlon was incredible. I doubt that I have ever been in room full of more fit people <BR/><BR/>in my life.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the additonal memories David.<BR/><BR/>Love, Mom and DadDan Gillennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159447637804170392006-09-28T07:47:00.000-05:002006-09-28T07:47:00.000-05:00David, you are awesome! WOW WOW double WOW!! It sure helps to have a support crew but YOU still have to cover the distance. The Striders and I are very proud of you!<BR/><BR/>DuncanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159388059083842312006-09-27T15:14:00.000-05:002006-09-27T15:14:00.000-05:00Hey David...great story. Sounds like you couldn't have asked for a better race for your first time out of the blocks. Don't get yourself down about the medical tent. You'll know better for next time. Congratulations on 2nd in your age div. That's icing on the cake!Ryan J.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159322052656386742006-09-26T20:54:00.000-05:002006-09-26T20:54:00.000-05:00J&R Ashton...<BR/>Great job David. We loved the pictures, especially the one of your parents holding the sign. We feel more athletic having you as a neighbor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159312834083394722006-09-26T18:20:00.000-05:002006-09-26T18:20:00.000-05:00David - We are SOOOO proud of you!! You are an amazing human being. Jason was with you in spirit the whole time. He talked about you all day that day. I showed the pictures to Mary Grace, and she wants to <BR/>"race bikes" with you next time she sees you. :) Jason hasn't read this yet, but I'm sure he'll want to post a message to you, too, when he reads it. We love you!Molly Schayotnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159306489060104832006-09-26T16:34:00.000-05:002006-09-26T16:34:00.000-05:00An uplifting and heartfelt account! Thanks for taking the time to document your experience!hottonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159304208523667182006-09-26T15:56:00.000-05:002006-09-26T15:56:00.000-05:00What an Ironman and what a story! The Striders are really proud of your accomplishment.Kevin Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159303675939704642006-09-26T15:47:00.000-05:002006-09-26T15:47:00.000-05:00great job David! and here we thought working for AirCrews would be the most tiring and exhausting thing we ever did :)dbrownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35016813.post-1159302954787694942006-09-26T15:35:00.000-05:002006-09-26T15:35:00.000-05:00inspiring stuff, David. As the Aussies like to say "Good on ya, Mate!"jbrownnoreply@blogger.com