Blazeman! Why Do You Race?

We race for many different reasons. Sometimes, we race to prove something to ourselves. Sometimes, we race to prove something to someone else. Whether old or young, out in front, MOP, or DFL, all who race understand intuitively how lucky they are to have the opportunity to pursue something they love. Even on the most difficult days, when the wheels have come off and the holes in our training plans have made themselves plain, most of us can reflect on our good luck and muster another mile…maybe even two.

This year I’ll be racing to raise money for ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Like so many others who share a passion for multi-sport racing, my foray into the world of triathlon introduced me to the story of Jon “Blazeman” Blais not too long ago. Many of you, I’m sure know something of Jon’s story already. Perhaps, like me, your jaw dropped to the floor when NBC aired its coverage of Jon’s effort to tackle Kona in 2005. Perhaps, like me, your heart sank and a lump rose in your throat, when it was announced on this web site and many others, that Jon had succumbed to his disease on May 27, 2007 at the age of 35. Maybe, like me, you tucked Jon’s story away somewhere inside, and wondered whether his life and his struggle called on you to do SOMETHING to honor his battle and to help raise awareness about a disease which is utterly merciless to those it afflicts (50% do not survive three years from their initial diagnosis).

Last year I participated in the first annual OC Blazeman, an extraordinary event organized by an extraordinary family in Huntington Beach, California. In lieu of a race fee, I made a donation to the Blazeman Fund (http://www.waronals.com), and with a group of others who had done the same, I went out for a long training day (70.3) to honor Jon’s life and bring some attention to the ongoing war against ALS. This year, I will race with Blazeman gear to continue that endeavor, and at the same time, I have committed myself to raising no less than $1000 for the Blazeman Foundation, which is now a registered 501(c)3 non-profit.

I know that many others here have made similar commitments to a whole range of causes equally deserving of consideration. As we head into a new tri season, I want to commend those who have made such a commitment, and I want to challenge those who haven’t to pick a charity and turn their racing season into a fundraising campaign. For those who share my interest in Jon’s life, enthusiasm, and achievements, I am including a link to my personalized Blazeman fundraising page. Others may wish to devote their funds elsewhere. In some sense, it really doesn’t matter where you put your resources. I only hope that you will put them SOMEWHERE so that your efforts are multiplied and your devotion to the sport will pay dividends in the lives of others.

SOMETHING. SOMEWHERE. RIGHT NOW.

Best of luck to all in 2008.

If you would like to support my efforts with a donation, please visit the link below:
http://www.active.com/donate/teamblazeman/AKarn2

For those who don't know the Blazeman's story, you might check out this video link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vrjp2P0GlE


Edited by Xan 2008-03-03 7:17 PM