A True Ironman Story

Hi Readers, 

Two posts in a day !! Clearly filling my time productively !

I was teaching a class a few years ago and I was gobsmacked with the attitude towards a fairly simple task by a few students.

"This is just too hard"

Most of the group were coping easily, but these were some of the more able students complaining. I think it was because whatever we were doing wasn't exciting enough for them, and they just wanted out. I get it.

A few days earlier I had come across this clip and knew that it would come in useful at some stage. Little did I know I'd use it just a few days later.

Rather than lecture the kids on what is hard and what isn't, I just waited for the moment.

At this school the kids ate their lunch in the classroom so as to reduce the amount of rubbish in the playground. I'd usually put on some quiet music, read a book or play a short video clip that we would later talk about.

On this day I asked them to bring their chairs closer to the screen as there were things in the clip I'd hope they would pay greater attention to.

I read the notes below and a gradual hush descended upon the group. Already they were starting to take an interest in what was to follow.

IT ALL STARTED IN 1962, RICK HOYT WAS BORN

In 1962, Dick and Judy Hoyt gave birth to their son, Rick Hoyt. During child birth, Rick’s umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, cutting off the supply of oxygen to his brain. He was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy.

The doctors advised Dick and Judy to institutionalise Rick because he was never going to be anything other than “a vegetable.” Dick and Judy refused and brought Rick home, to raise him like any other child.

IN THE SPRING OF 1977, RICK SHOWED INTEREST IN RACING

Rick told Dick that he wanted to compete in a 5-mile running road race to help raise money for a high school lacrosse player who had been paralysed in a recent accident.

Dick, a non-runner at that time, pushed Rick for the full 5 miles. They finished next to last, but not last. Later that night, Rick typed “Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.” And that is when it all started.

THE ASSIMILATION OF TEAM HOYT, FOLLOWING A DREAM

Since that fateful day in 1977, Dick and Rick, becoming known as “Team Hoyt,” has finished 255 triathlons (6 being Ironman distance and 7 being Half Ironman distance), 22 duathlons, 72 marathons (32 being the Boston Marathon), 95 half marathons, 35 Falmouth 7.1 milers, and a handful of other various distance races. Team Hoyt has a marathon PR of 2:40:47 and half marathon PR of 1:21:12. Dick and Rick are also two of only 27 total members of the Ironman Hall of Fame, carried the Olympic torch in 1996 and in 1992 they ran and rode a bike from Santa Monica, California to Boston Harbour in 45 consecutive days. Team Hoyt has competed in, and finished, more than 1,100 events.

The bike leg

The specialised running chair.

Changing legs in the Ironman

The swim leg.

Acknowledging The Hoyt Family, Team Hoyt and The Hoyt Foundation 2021

https://teamhoyt.com/the-hoyt-family-2-0/

The fact that we had a boy in the class confined to a wheelchair meant that they were already accustomed to dealing first hand with disabilities.

One of the kids was quick to pipe up with "Mr K, are you only playing this clip because it's about sport and you like sport so much?"

"Well, yes, partly correct, but a coincidence" was what I told them. "But come with me on this, you'll see why I'm showing it to you"

Okay. And then I showed them this clip.

https://youtu.be/ts8F6dV_0uM

You could have heard a pin drop.

The kids commented that they could really see in Rick's eyes that he was totally aware of what was going on, particularly at the finish when he was waving to the crowd and looking around.

And when he looks at the computer screen and smiles produced quite a few deep breaths and "Oohhhs'. 

The message really hit home, and we pretty much got rid of the 'It's too hard' attitude there and then.

Yes, there were still times when the kids were challenged with tasks, but they began to adopt a more positive mindset and a "I can" attitude. They would at least have a crack rather than not try.

I'm not suggesting we all go and do an Ironman, I'm just pointing out that perhaps we are too quick to give in.

This is an example of using it with kids, but it is not limited to only kids.

I regularly share it with colleagues and the results are similar.

Suddenly our experiences aren't as tough as they seem anymore, and are temporary.

Occasionally we have a look at the clip again and I notice for the next few weeks afterwards there is an uptake in the efforts from the kids, and they are more prepared to have a go first, before seeking help. Plus they don't display as much frustration if things don't necessarily go their way.

The same goes with me.

Whenever I think I'm doing it tough, I just have a think about this clip and it's the perfect reality check.

Sadly, Dick Hoyt passed away last year, but his legacy lives on.

Well Readers,

I hope you have a look at it and gain some level of inspiration.

Until my next post...

Cheers 😁