The Reason For The Season

As we're approaching Christmas, and I'm sitting around sick, I've had time to reflect on how good I have it. Most important, I have a loving, gracious and forgiving God, thank you for sending Jesus, for me, an unworthy candidate of His mercy. I have received Him, and praise be to God, I am now called His child.

As I think back on this year, what I've done and left undone, I want to do more, more that matters for someone or something other than myself, which I am often too proud of.

A couple of weeks ago I vegged in front of the telly watching the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. It was awesome to see the pro's, and how strong and fast they are. But what brought me to my knee's then, and now as I write, was the story of Jon Blais, aka "The Blazeman." In 2005, Jon finished the Ironman at Kona with just thirty minutes remaining in the seventeen hour alloted time. All of that was done with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks motor neurons in the brain (upper motor neurons) and spinal cord (lower motor neurons). Here's the link of NBC's coverage of Jon, http://waronals.com/index.php. The Blazeman's website located on the links to the right are also full of inspiration to fight, we can do something.

Hopefully you've watched the link above, if not, watch it and come back. If you're coming back after watching the footage, I hope it impacted you as it did me. For me, it's even more personal, my cousin David has been fighting ALS for well over ten years, and I mean fighting. God blessed him with a wonderful wife, Becky, and lots of family and friends to fight with him. Here's a glimpse of their lives with ALS. http://www.wfts.com/video/news/2006/08/0825cfa.shtml

So, now to put the rubber to the road. I have four to six Triathlons planned for 2007, two of which are the Florida Half Ironman and the Florida Ironman. I am setting out to do what I can to raise awareness and money for ALS and if you have received this, well, it's because I'm looking for your support, through prayer, sharing this fight with others and financially. I'm not expecting a bank roll here, I'm asking for lots of people to do a little, versus a few doing a lot. However, if you're able to do a lot, I'm not stopping you.

If you want to help financially, your gifts are tax deductable. You can make your check payable to "ALS Therapy Development Foundation" and send it to me, David Knight, 6804 Worth Court, Tallahassee, Fl 32309, or you can donate directly to them at https://www.als.net/. If you donate directly to ALS-TDF, please send me an email with the amount you donated, I want to have a year end tally for ALS-TDF.

As I often say, if you've made it this far, well, you made it this far. Thanks for all that you're going to do for this cause.

love ya, dk

Running It Out

"The 2007 Ford Ironman Florida Panama City Beach Sold Out to General Entry November 5, 2006 , in less than one hour."

Oh well, there's always hope for 2008. NOT, I made it, thankfully my buddy and training partner, Robert Palmer, kept me in the loop as to how quickly it sells out. We were both frantically rushing to register and both experienced issues with the registration web site, but we made it with only a few minutes to spare. At almost $500.00, you'd think it would take longer. So, 363 days of training to push the envelope, 2.4 mile Swim, 112 mile Bike and 26.2 mile Run. You should have no problem coming up with something to pray for, as I'll take all I can get for health and preparation.

As many of you know, last year was my first endeavor with Triathlon, which was the result of being bored on a treadmill and encouragement from friends. Once I got involved, it sparked memories of my youth and competition, sorry Charles. However, I find that the competition is with myself and experiencing just how far I can push myself, without breaking, which I did.

Last year I had one goal beginning my training on January 1st, complete the Red Hills Sprint Triathlon here in Tallahassee, which I did and was captured by the sport and the camaraderie. So, what to do with all of that training and fitness, do more. By September 2006, I had competed and finished in four Sprint Triathlons and one Olympic distance, the last three with Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and bone spurs on the back of both heels.

I've spent the last three months rehabbing and therapy,(physical) and I have slowly brought my running back into training and plan on running the Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving with a large family contingency.

If you've made it this far, I'm closing this entry with some food for thought. When Taylar and I went to Panama City a couple of weeks ago for the 2006 Florida Ironman, I observed hundreds of friends and family members supporting their loved ones and many adorned color coordinated team wear. In May when racing the Emerald Coast Sprint, I ran through the transition area for the run portion and they had an announcer calling out your name and where you're from, well, this funny fellow referred to me as Mr. Big Stuff, and I supposed not because I'm studly, more like the double stuffing in an Oreo cookie. Well, it kind of stuck with me and even though I'm a double stuffed Oreo,(I'm continuing to strive for a normal stuffing) I'm still out there getting it done. Even though I'm not first, I'm at least in the middle of the pack. So, I'm considering going into the 2007 season as Team Big Stuff, let me know what ya think? Or, Team Heatwave, Team Knight, Team Joy,(Jesus, Others, You), Team Rusty Boy, Knuckle Head....

Okay, here's my 2007 schedule, so you can send specific prayers. My training has been cut in half for the off season, but I'll turn it up January 1st and will also be working with Taylar for his 2007 season.

March - 1/3 mile Swim, 16 mile Bike, 3.2 mile Run

May - 1.2 mile Swim, 56 mile Bike, 13.1 mile Run

August - .9 mile Swim, 25 mile Bike, 6.2 mile Run

November 3, 2007 @ 7:00AM

2.4 mile Swim,112 mile Bike,26.2 mile Run

So, until next time, May The Lord bless you and Keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.