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Half a Soulja

This is a post I’ve been meaning to write for some time now.

In 2005 and 2006, I raced in the New York City Triathlon. This year the race fell on the same day as Ironman Lake Placid, so I obviously wasn’t able to race. It’s a great race through my current hometown, which means it doesn’t involve any traveling and you get to swim in the Hudson River. Another special thing about the New York City Triathlon is that in both 2006 and 2007, the Accenture PC (Physically Challenged) Triathlon National Championships were held at the NYC Tri.

In 2006, my age group went off in one of the last waves which meant that we were able to watch the challenged athletes begin their swim while we were waiting to start. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that seeing them head out to begin their race left a lasting, inspirational impression on me.

All of the challenged athletes have amazing stories, but earlier this summer I heard a story that borders on the absolutely unbelievable. In July, Byron Breeze, better known as “Half A Soulja” became the first quadruple amputee to complete the New York City Triathlon. That’s right – quadruple amputee – Soulja was born without hip bones or legs and with misshapen arms, each with just one finger. Amazingly, Soulja is self-sufficient – he gets around the city on the bus, in his wheelchair and on a skateboard; he even drives. He is also athletic, but who would have guessed that he would even try to compete in an Olympic distance triathlon?!

About six months before the race, Soulja (with his documentary team – more below), approached the race organizers and announced his intention to compete in the race. He worked with a swim coach and, via a grant from CAF, got a handcycle.

On raceday, he raced each segment alongside a guide who blocked for him, helped with some mechanical issues and helped push him up some of the big hills. Incredibly, he finished. And here he is, showing off his finisher’s hardware:

As I alluded to above, for eight years, filmmaker, Kathleen Kiley has been documenting Soulja’s life in preparation for a movie about this remarkable man. The movie is currently is post-production and is scheduled for release in 2008. You can read more about Soulja, the coming movie and his triathlon here (his official website), here (NY Times) and here (race report)!

On a personal note, yesterday I did a double run, for a total of 3:15/24.25 miles. We came out to the beach Friday night and I did the long run (18.25 miles) Saturday morning on some great trails just a few miles from the house. The trail is called the Northwoods Trail and it runs from a point off Route 114 between Sag Harbor and East Hampton all the way to the eastern side of East Hampton (about 6.5 miles). It’s very well marked and maintained and really beautiful. I only ran into two other people – another runner and a guy walking his dog. I’m excited I found it and will definitely be using that trail more in the future. Both runs went well, even though my legs were pretty shot by the time I went out for my evening run. But I gotta get the miles in. The JFK 50 is just eight weeks away now.

Run – September 19
Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 25 minutes
Average heart rate:
Treadmill run

Strength Training – September 19

Run – September 20
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 25 minutes
Average heart rate: 145
Course: Village
Conditions: Sunny, nice (mid 60’s)

Bike – September 20
Time: 1:00
Average heart rate: 116
Indoor ride

Running – September 23
Run #1
Distance: 18.25 miles
Time: 2:26
Average heart rate: 151
Course: East Hampton, Route 114 and the Northwest Path (awesome trail)
Conditions: Warm and humid, sun and clouds

Run #2
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 50 minutes
Average heart rate: 136
Course: East Hampton
Conditions: Warm, less humid

Run – September 23
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 25 minutes
Average heart rate: 136
Course: Wainscott
Conditions: Evening run, nice (low 70’s)