Where Do We Find Our Inspiration?

It is interesting where inspiration comes from. I have spent years of my life racing, whether it has been triathlon or in the pool, on the track or on a bike, I love to compete and to race. The thing that has changed has been why I race. For many years I didn’t know and to be honest, this held me back. I had some success, but I never really tapped in to all that was available.

I have been a swim coach for more than half of my life and the head coach of RallySport Aquatics for over 10 years. I’ve worked with National Champions, Olympic hopefuls and others who have gone on to be pro cyclists and triathletes. The dedication and commitment of these people is epic. But it is also understandable. The return for their work is something that we see as “worth it” We say that we would do the 25 hour weeks and the 5 am’s too if only we could see that return.

Over the past 3 seasons I have had the opportunity to coach a young man that has inspired many of us in a different way. Dane came to us an undersized 12 year old kid, who hadn’t has a ton of success in the sport, but he loved it. He trained hard, was the first to ask for help and he developed into a very good swimmer. He was still undersized and often this held him back from the times he wanted, but no one discounted his effort. Last Fall we were reminded of how determined he can really be.

On October 1^st, 2010 Dane Fogdall was diagnosed with Cancer. He was 14. He had been having some trouble breathing at workout and after a good many tests, a tumor was found. Dane was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Over the next 5 months Dane would undergo 4 rounds of Chemotherapy, many surgeries and more pain and nausea than I can to recount. However, through it all I would see him walk into swim practice. His head shaved, looking a little bloated and pale, Dane would hop in and do what he could. Some days it was a full practice and some days it was 200 yards,but he would get there. Dane would come to practice not for the improvements or because he had to but because he wanted to be there, because he NEEDED to feel like he could do the things he loved.

Dane was pronounced cancer free on 02/09/11 and told to go live a normal life. He still swims for RallySport Aquatics and hoping for a great season. What he may not know is what an inspiration he has served to be for his coaches and his friends. A reminder that we train and we race, not because we should or because we have to, but because we get to. Dane reminded me that a day on the bike is an opportunity that I get to experience, not a chore that needs to be completed.

I have been around sport for nearly my entire life and it is easy to forget why we do what we do. Every once and a while a kid like Dane Fogdall comes along and reminds us.

Thanks Dane, we’ll see you at workout tomorrow.