I want to share with you my special motivation for racing Ironman Hawaii this October. For the past few years, I have received emails from Beth, the mother of Carter, a child with Cystic Fibrosis. Carter is now 6 years old and is a very active child who loves swimming, biking, running and skiing. Unfortunately, Carter has had a tough year both in and out of hospitals treating the complications of CF. One day, Beth asked her son what he wished for. Carter said that he wished that he could cross the finish line with me in Hawaii, that he could breathe under water with the fish, that he could go for a ride in a Zodiac and that he could learn a new language. And so, Beth contacted the Make a Wish Foundation and applied for his wish to be granted. The answer was a big YES – Carter will be in Hawaii this October and staying here at the Hilton – an absolute paradise for children. Unless I am in a finishing sprint, he will cross the finish line together with me! I received this news in the middle of August as I was preparing for Subaru Ironman Canada. At that time, I was just hoping to cross the finish line of IMC. But with that email, I knew that I would have to cross the finish line healthy enough to be able to do it all again on October 13th, with Carter, in the Hawaii Ironman. That was huge motivation for me. As Beth’s mom said to me in a note,
“No pressure, Lisa but you MUST make it to the Worlds! I pray this special wish will give him the mindset to focus always on what he can do not what he can’t. Despite what happens in his life he will always be able to say he crossed the finish line of the Ironman!! It would be incredible to see the two of you together and with all the fundraising we do as a family, you will be able to inspire even that many more children with CF through Carter”.
I feel privileged to be involved in Carter’s life and I will honor this privilege for each minute of the Hawaii Ironman. I have always wanted my sporting career to go beyond sport and I am humbled to know that it has. Please cheer for Carter as he crosses the finish line on October 13th.
Lisa