Champions of the outdoors

Definition of a champion; a person who has defeated or surpassed all rivals in a competition, especially in sports. I include in this definition, that a champion is not just a person, but can also be a group or community.

As I began to process the statement made to me by an important organizer of Ironman Chattanooga, “We need a champion from Walker County”, I realized, we have over 60 champions from Walker County that have participated in IRONMAN Chattanooga including myself this year.

I had the privilege at 55 years of age to train, prepare to the best of my abilities, and enjoy an amazing event, the 70.3 IRONMAN Chattanooga. I have never done anything of this magnitude and it would be an extreme challenge for me to do my 1st one at age 55. I did it and was considered a “Finisher” since completing the 1.2 Mile Swim in the Tennessee River to move to the 56 Mile Bike Ride, mostly through Walker County and then back to Chattanooga’s Riverfront to complete the event with a 13.1 Run all within the timeframe allowed to be a “Finisher”.

I tell you this not to brag or boast, but to share with you how I see a champion. It is not the pros out there competing professionally, even though they are amazing athletes, they are not the average person like the rest of us. A champion in my mind is one that steps out of their comfort zone and accomplishes something far beyond their normal capabilities or in the midst of unfortunate circumstances.

My first day of training was on 1/29/18, only 111 days from race day. That is under 4 months to train. I began that training day with a 2 mile walk/run, which is far below what would be needed from me and the songs that played during my walk/ run were, “I need a Miracle” by Third Day and “I will Go” by Big Daddy Weave. God was speaking to me and I was listening. I would need a miracle and if that is what He was calling me to do, then I would go knowing it would only be possible through Him.

My idea of a champion is one who steps out in faith to what is unknown, unseen or almost impossible.

Walker County is also a “Champion” of a county for stepping out in faith that IRONMAN Chattanooga would be a great economic benefit to our county. 5 years ago, Walker County didn’t know the impact that outdoor activities could play in our economic growth and betterment of our county, but with the mindset to step out, we have been blessed with the magnitude of IRONMAN and the positive impact it brings to our community. In addition to the positive outlook and growth in our outdoor community, IRONMAN gives back. The contributions that IRONMAN gives back to our community makes IRONMAN a “Champion” in its field. Just to highlight their contributions back to our communities, look at their impact with this link…

http://ironmanfoundation.org/ ironmanchattanooga/

The other 60+ athletes that I consider champions are athletes just like me. They live in Walker County, work or go to school here and they stepped out in faith of what they could accomplish without the abilities of the professionals. A champion doesn’t have to “win a race”, a “Champion” just has to step out of everyday “normal” to push beyond what seems too difficult, too frightening, too demanding… to step into “I can and I will” do my best even when it is hard or feels impossible. These 60+ Walker County Residents that have taken advantage of IRONMAN Chattanooga being so close over the last 5 years are champions. I don’t know that any of them have finished in the top with the pros, but I do believe they finished as “Champions” just to finish this race.

These are people just like you that have struggles, have families to care for, have severe illnesses or family members with illnesses, that hurt, feel and bruise just like you. These aren’t professional athletes that get paid to do this, we pay to do it and