Meeting two heroes in one day
Soon after I signed off at the airport yesterday, I was priveledged to meet someone that I have admired for quite some time. She is beautiful, courageous, and strong. Her name is Hayley, and she is four years old. This beautiful blonde hair blue eyed child was diagnosed with childhood leukemia last year, and she is our team hero. Fortunately, her cancer is now in remission. Her dad, Chris, will be racing along with us tomorrow. (You can read about his story here.)
Chris and his wife Katie didn't think that they would all be able to go down with the team. Three plane tickets are expensive, especially in this economy. But an anonymous donor bought the ticket for Hayley to be able to join her dad and the rest of the team. To whoever that was, thank you. We are all thrilled that Hayley and her family is here with us.
After our team arrived in Tampa, we spent most of the day strolling around doing various things -- getting race packets, checking out the awesome expo, exploring the hotel, and eating. Around 10 of us got together and ate dinner and arrived back at the hotel for the night at around 10pm. We were admiring the prom dresses from the local high school students (who had their prom in the hotel ballroom), when coach Brian had whispered that Dave Scott was just outside.
We quickly scurried ourselves to the outside doorway to catch a glimpse of this legend. We all stood at the top of the stairs and were giggling like little school girls ourselves (the guys included) as he stood talking to a cab driver just yards away.
He looked up and knew in short time that we were all looking at him -- we made ourselves quite obvious. It seemed like we were all paralyzed though, as if spotting one of the Beatles in their hayday. I yelled out "hi from Team Michigan!". Dave would certainly know what that meant since he was Team in Training's national team coach.
He smiled and waved, but didn't come to join us since he was wrapping up our conversation. I decided to approach him after he was done, and after introducing myself, asked if he would be so kind as to take a picture with our team. He is, after all, the most well-known triathletes in the world having won six Ironman championships. (You can read more about Dave Scott here.) He said to me, "I was wondering when you would ask!" and came with me to meet the rest of the team. A few pictures were snapped (I'm SO glad I had my camera though I did forget my card reader so the pics will be posted later), and we all left with big smiles on our face knowing that we had met an inspiration to so many athletes.
Overall, it's been a great day and I'm looking forward to what is in store tomorrow.
Dave Scott is sweet enough to pose with some of us from Team Michigan
Chris and his wife Katie didn't think that they would all be able to go down with the team. Three plane tickets are expensive, especially in this economy. But an anonymous donor bought the ticket for Hayley to be able to join her dad and the rest of the team. To whoever that was, thank you. We are all thrilled that Hayley and her family is here with us.
After our team arrived in Tampa, we spent most of the day strolling around doing various things -- getting race packets, checking out the awesome expo, exploring the hotel, and eating. Around 10 of us got together and ate dinner and arrived back at the hotel for the night at around 10pm. We were admiring the prom dresses from the local high school students (who had their prom in the hotel ballroom), when coach Brian had whispered that Dave Scott was just outside.
We quickly scurried ourselves to the outside doorway to catch a glimpse of this legend. We all stood at the top of the stairs and were giggling like little school girls ourselves (the guys included) as he stood talking to a cab driver just yards away.
He looked up and knew in short time that we were all looking at him -- we made ourselves quite obvious. It seemed like we were all paralyzed though, as if spotting one of the Beatles in their hayday. I yelled out "hi from Team Michigan!". Dave would certainly know what that meant since he was Team in Training's national team coach.
He smiled and waved, but didn't come to join us since he was wrapping up our conversation. I decided to approach him after he was done, and after introducing myself, asked if he would be so kind as to take a picture with our team. He is, after all, the most well-known triathletes in the world having won six Ironman championships. (You can read more about Dave Scott here.) He said to me, "I was wondering when you would ask!" and came with me to meet the rest of the team. A few pictures were snapped (I'm SO glad I had my camera though I did forget my card reader so the pics will be posted later), and we all left with big smiles on our face knowing that we had met an inspiration to so many athletes.
Overall, it's been a great day and I'm looking forward to what is in store tomorrow.
Dave Scott is sweet enough to pose with some of us from Team Michigan
Comments
My mom gave me your information Holly. My name is Jessica I am doing my first Tri this weekend in Miami with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I was just wondering if you have an tips for me this weekend. My email address is jessicarblust@yahoo.com. What I need to buy what I should have with me during the race. Stuff like that. Thanks for your help.
Jess