So, I have another running story! This involves swimming and biking, too. Last year, I was able to listen to Matt Russell speak. He is a professional athlete, an Ironman.  Many of you know, but The Ironman World Championship is the most iconic race in endurance sports, held every year on the west side of Hawaii’s Big Island in Kona. The race consists of a 2.4-mile ocean swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride to the top of the island and back on the Queen Ka’ahumanu highway, followed by a 26.2-mile run. Since 2010, Saint George has held an Ironman, and in 2012, St. George was designated as the U.S. Pro Championship, one of five regional championships around the world.

In 2017, Matt was on his bike during the race in Kona, and at an intersection, a police officer was controlling traffic, but he was struck by a truck. The glass cut into his neck and hit his jugular vein. He also had a severe laceration on his head and many pebbles lodged in his neck. Luckily, there just happened to be an anesthesiologist on the sidelines who is credited for saving his life and knew how to apply pressure, or he would have bled to death.

Matt recovered slowly but wanted to face the race again. So, in 2018, he stunned many as he pushed himself harder than ever. Just one year later! He finished in 6th place with the 9th fastest time in the iconic race’s 40-year history!

“I’ve been given a second chance and I want to make the most of it,” he said. “I want to share my experience to help other people who are going through hard times. I want to make my family proud with how I race.”

He now lives in St. George, and I was mesmerized when he spoke. 

The thing is—we can all do hard things! And sometimes, there are things that we don’t want to do. For Matt, maybe swimming is the one thing he has to talk himself into doing every day. Sometimes, as a teacher, grading is not my favorite task; I just want to read the essay. One task I do enjoy is creating curriculum. When writing, I love research. In writing stories, showing and not telling is hard for me, too. I have a YA short novel that is half finished. I actually enjoy doing dishes or laundry, but dread dusting. But we all have to do things we don’t want to do. 

Matt’s story also made me think of something that I failed at and that I should make a comeback. I don’t know if I will every finish a novel. Still thinking of other things that I need a “comeback”.

So, use Matt as an inspiration! Here is the full article if you want to read more about Matt.  Matt Russell’s (Miraculous) Unfinished Comeback

What is one of your favorite tasks? Or what is your least favorite task?