Finish what I started. That is the task. Well, what did I start? I started on a journey to complete an Ironman 70.3. Those that know me and read my blog know how my last one went. If not go back and read my post titled “Reagan’s Story” and you can get up to speed. I will fill you in a few things than talk about finishing what I started!
The statement made after the usual question of “How are you and your wife doing?” is “You must be disappointed you did not finish Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga.” Well I can tell you with absolute certainty that I am not disappointed at all for several reasons.
First, being that it would have never been something that I truly could have celebrated and enjoyed with the death of my teammate Gene and then the birth and death of my son Reagan later that week. These things would and have overshadowed that event since that fateful day.
Secondly, I would have never enjoyed and got to celebrate with my wife and my son Beckett after my completion. I had not only trained and sacrificed for this event but my family had as well and I wanted to enjoy the moment with them as much as I did anything else in this world. I had envisioned myself crossing the finish line and them being there at the end. This was not to happen and would have taken away from that moment. I don’t think Facetime would have cut it.
Third, I actually have had too many positives come from preparing for IM 70.3 Choo that I will not let it get me down. I have lost close to 40lbs since I began the journey back in early September 2015. I have went 10 months without any sort of alcohol…yes you did read that correctly and no it’s not a typo. I am fitter and healthier than I can remember in a long time. I have renewed my faith in Christ and it has strengthen beyond what I could even imagine. I have grown closer with my own family and apparently changed in a lot more ways than I even know how to put into words on my blog. All for the good from what I understand. It just leaves me wondering what I was really like before? Please don’t comment at the bottom if you know!
So let’s get back to finishing what I started. Ironman and Zero Prostate Cancer are transferring my registration to Ironman 70.3 Arizona! The event takes place on October 16th, 2016. A full year after I started this journey. I have been blessed for many reasons when it comes to this. First and foremost is the willingness of both organizations to transfer the registration period. They have no obligation to do so and they did! The big problem that I faced is that it is in Arizona and is not an easy drive like I had to Chattanooga plus I had a free place to stay and I could pop my bike on top of the car and take it with me. I was now faced with the dilemma of even doing IM70.3 AZ just due to the cost of getting everything out there and then having a place to stay. Not to mention the flight cost as well. We are talking a couple thousand dollars pretty quick. Let’s be honest money is not flowing in but flowing out paying for medical bills that are coming in daily. I swear at this point the mail gets delivered on Sunday if it is a bill from the hospital!
Well someone told me to just ask for help and see what I could get. So I did. The first was to Tribike Transport. They will take your bike, break it down, ship it to your event location reassemble it and have it ready for you when you arrive. Then they do the same again to get it back home to you. I emailed them a request for some help and explained all that had happened and they replied with a “We would love to help you!” Mind you this is not a $100 dollar deal. We are talking a few hundred. Close to 400. I was astonished and grateful to say the least.
Next was how on this green earth do I go about finding reasonably priced accommodation in Tempe for 4-5 days? Well as I discussed this with another friend they had the suggestion that I go on Airbnb and write to a bunch of people that had their places on Airbnb and do what I did with Tribike. Just ask and tell them why and what I was doing this for. So I got on the PC one night and wrote about 20 owners on Airbnb and within 24 hours I had a reply from Vickie Potter and Bob Calnin. They would be more than willing to let me and my family use there place for the week as long as I covered the cleaning fee of $175.00! Again I was astonished. I will be eternally grateful to them for their act of kindness.
Next is the flights. Zero Prostate Cancer is carrying over my money raised from IM70.3 Choo to Im70.3 AZ. So what does that mean? Well I have raised $2100 to date and if I get to $4000 they will give me $500 towards my travel. I have no doubt that I will reach the goal of $4000 as well. This will then make it possible for Beckett and Lindsay to go out to Arizona with me and be there when I cross the finish line. I also have my biggest fan, my sister Leslie, going out to be with us too!
So if you care to donate I have attached the link below.
I will finish what I started and I will be competing in the Ironman 70.3 Arizona to honor two people that had a significant impact on my life even though they were both in it for a short while. Reagan Michael White and Gene Montague know that this is for you both. I know that on that day you will both be with me and carry me to the finish.
Best
N~
A picture of Gene.
nathanrwhite 