Ironman Journey

[ishy]

Many of you have heard some of my story about loosing my son 5 years ago to SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Patients), and I just wanted to share more of our story to help any one else that might be struggling of know someone who is with Epilepsy. Sadly I was just reminded again of how difficult a disease it can be as I read the latest Elk Hunter Magazine as one of our fellow elk hunters is just beginning his own son's battle with epilepsy. One in twenty-six people have epilepsy and it is severely underfunded compared to other neurological disorders.
Before Conner passed all I had ever done was a few push-ups, sit-ups, and pick up basketball. Just enough to be able to chase elk without reservation each September. After Conner I started running as a release and to get away from everything. My wife will tell you I ran to get away from going through the grief steps. A couple years later I was selected as a Sponsored Athlete for the CDA Tri team and they started me on the path to becoming an Ironman. A seed had been planted years earlier when I saw a Team Hoyt video that shows a Father pulling and pushing his adult son across the entire 140 miles. I was floored and haven't seen dedication like that before. I can't even think about it with out my heart skipping a beat. Now I'm 5 weeks away from my first Ironman. I am racing for the Danny Did Foundation that provides seizure monitors for kids. I hope that if any of you know families that are struggling with epilepsy that you will send them to dannydid.org as many Dr's have been hesitant to talk to families about SUDEP. The price of a child's life is too precious to not take every precaution we can.
https://www.crowdrise.com/bryanlangford

[ishy]

Here's the Team Hoyt video-just be warned most guys can't handle this. I'm not ashamed to say I cried like a little girl watching this.
https://youtu.be/cxqe77-Am3w

[Tigger]

There really should be a "like" button on forums. Maybe even a "Fantastic Post" button. If so, I would hit it twice! Please continue to let us know how you do!

[T.B.]

Ishy thank you for sharing your story. I too shed a few tears the first time viewing the team Hoyt video. Good luck on your iron man journey . What Iron man event are you doing.

[ishy]

CDA, I live in Hayden so the start is only 7 miles from my house. Conner is actually buried about a mile from the finish line on the bike course, so you can imagine what finishing will be like for me. Coaches have told me you will feel every emotion you have ever felt in your entire life in that one day-not sure that's a good thing.

[Lefty]

Thank You for sharing.
"Our best" on your first Ironman!!!

[JKaboom]

WOW!
Good luck to you

[Elkonthebrain]

You've got this!!! Good luck!

[Ben Nicholson]

I loved IMCDA when I did it in 2012. It's even better now that it's in August, that lake has to be warmer! Be sure to post up your bib number so we can follow you on race day.

Good luck,
Ben

[Ben Nicholson]

Coaches have told me you will feel every emotion you have ever felt in your entire life in that one day-not sure that's a good thing.

This is absolutely true, but it's a good thing I promise. There will be times you're smiling and a bit later tears will be flowing. If that doesn't happen, then you aren't human. It still happens to me. Every time. But, the entire process, all the long rides, the early morning swims, etc... It's all worth it when you get to that finish line!

[ishy]

I'm #153. Conner was the biggest Herbie junkie ever. #1-#100 are reserved for the pros, so I got #153 as the closest one to herbie's # that has meaning for all of us that knew Conner.

[Elkhunttoo]

Good luck to you!!!

[ishy]

Ironman just contacted me and want to use my story for a featured athlete at the opening ceremony. Pretty cool, but I really didn't need anything else to worry about this week. It will be great exposure for Epilepsy and SUDEP awareness though.

[WapitiTalk1]

Ironman just contacted me and want to use my story for a featured athlete at the opening ceremony. Pretty cool, but I really didn't need anything else to worry about this week. It will be great exposure for Epilepsy and SUDEP awareness though.

Um, awesome!

[JKaboom]

Congratulations!

[Ben Nicholson]

That is great!

[Ben Nicholson]

If anyone wants to track ishy on his race you can do it here:

http://tracking.ironmanlive.com/mobiles ... z4HyNbi5RH

He had a great swim. Still waiting on the bike splits to update.

Go get 'em ishy!

[Ben Nicholson]

Great job! Congratulations on your accomplishment.

[Elkhunttoo]

Well done!!!

[CurlyTail]

Congrats!!!! Quite an accomplishment

[ishy]

Thanks everyone. What a weekend between several interviews and photo opps to one monster race it was all pretty amazing (I'll post links as they become available). The actual race went great. I had some pretty serious foot pain on the bike, but was put in the penalty tent about mile 90 for drafting (you have to stay six bike lengths behind the next bike) which gave me five minutes I could sit and take my shoe off and message it out. I think they want the penalty tent to be a more painful experience! Run went good, it a very slow process after everything else, but my splits were lower than what my coach wanted and still held strong and was able to run most of it. That was my main goal was to run the whole marathon and I feel great that I was able to stick to it running pretty solid just about the whole time.
Best part is with what we've raised Danny Did will be able to provide 10 more kids with seizure monitors! We still have a couple fundraisers going this week. It's been amazing to see friends and even complete strangers step up and support our cause.

[T.B.]

Congratulations on an event not easily accomplished!!

[ishy]

Here's the links to the Ironman videos
https://youtu.be/jPInScvT5Pk
https://youtu.be/d5LeVng2bPU