Oct. 13, Sandra Flax, $25
Oct. 14, Carolee & Brian Doerner, $25
Oct. 15, Laurie Stroempl, $25
Oct. 16, Nancy Nagy, $25 (donated back to Mission4Maureen)
Oct. 17, Gail & Ben Benkowski, $25
Oct. 18, Nancy Braner, $50
Oct. 19, Kathleen Craider, $100

Oct. 6, Denise Granitto, $25
Oct. 7, Linda George, $25
Oct. 8, Mary Licursi, $25 (donated back to Mission4Maureen)
Oct. 9, Debra Green, $25
Oct. 10, Nancy Hodas, $25
Oct. 11, Kathleen Craider, $50
Oct. 12, Carol Columbo, $100

Oct. 1, The Fitzpatrick Family, $25
Oct. 2, James Thompson, $25
Oct. 3, Nancy Nagy, $25
Oct. 4, Susan Brizius, $50
Oct. 5, Gail & Ben Benkowski, $100

July 11, 2008

Maureen's Brother, David, Completes First Half IRONMAN For Mission4Maureen!

written by Texas sports editor (and Maureen's brother) Jeff Walker

The inexperienced competitors for the Buffalo Springs Lake Triathlon probably thought they knew what they were getting into when they signed up for a competition in West Texas – hot temperatures (even early in the morning), flat land and a dry heat.

Oops.

Clouds, rain (at times), cooler temperatures and a harsh wind greeted this year’s field that began the first stage of the 70.3-mile trek just after 6:30 a.m. local time in Lubbock, Texas.

And the flat land? Sure, it’s all around West Texas, but not in the canyons of Buffalo Springs Lake.

The competitors came in different shapes and sizes, male and female, young and old, professionals seeking an invitation to the IRONMAN World Championships in Hawaii and the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Fla., as well as novices just seeking to finish.

Among the newbies was David Walker: our husband, our friend, our uncle, our son and our brother. With marathons and half IRONMANS already under his belt, he entered this daunting task a day before his one-year wedding anniversary.

The Mission4Maureen began two years ago and David has carried the torch throughout Ohio and all the way to Las Vegas. This time, it was time to tackle Texas.

David’s mission ended in just under seven hours, with the public address announcer letting the crowd know this was his first half IRONMAN coming on the eve of his anniversary.

His friends and family couldn’t wait to see him cross the finish line, which he did with nephew Matthew Lowis and niece Meghan Lowis.

The ending, though, is only the beginning.

David was not alone on this 70.3-mile journey. As he swam 1.2 miles, biked 56 miles and ran 13.1 miles, his family and friends – most sporting Mission4Maureen shirts – tried to stay one step ahead of him, cheering him on as he passed.

What was discovered – at least by one member – was the journey was shared by more than just David.

As competitors rode or ran by, the Mission4Maureen crew gave them words of encouragement, which clearly meant plenty to these strong-willed athletes.

Many thanked the group. Many couldn’t believe the support. Still others tried to keep a light spirit even near the end of a grueling trek, cracking jokes as they continued closer to the finish line.

Some have said this West Texas course is more difficult than the one in Kona, Hawaii, home of the World Championship IRONMAN. There were some 1,300 athletes competing in various events on this Sunday morning in late June.

David tackled the 70.3 in 6:55.32. He received a medal and a T-shirt that said “70.3 Finisher” for his effort. What he accomplished, though, was much more.

What David – and others – have done in the last two years is carry on the Mission 4Maureen.