Vineman Triathlon in Guernerville

Last week, I wrote about a group of people who meet regularly to help each other through loss. Today, I realize I am also writing about a group of people who have found a way to Heal and Recover. These communities seem to appear all over the world, and if a person were to look at a brochure or listen to a short PSA, someone might not recognize a support group, but something happens. On an open road, people gather to share stories and often a common purpose. People bond. Kathryn Hendrix is one of these people with a purpose.

I met Kathryn Hendrix a few years ago when I was still afraid to tell my friends that I had epilepsy, even my friends who knew that I had epilepsy. I met Kathryn when I was still afraid to tell myself that I had epilepsy. But the weekend I met her, I started changing. When she met me, I remember that she had just started exercising. I remember that she walked a lot. She has continued changing too.

Saturday evening, Kathryn joined an elite group when she completed the Vineman Ironman Triathlon.  Her friends now say, "You are Iron!" She has added "Ironwoman" to her title the way some people add Ph D. Kathryn probably worked harder.  On the day of the event, competitors start early. end late. and they keep going. In case you did not know, they go kinda far. I was ready to complain about my day, because I woke up super early. I woke up before 4:30 to make it to Guerneville. I probably complained that the event took too  long, and I left 12 hours before it finished. The competition is difficult to photograph. I kept thinking about those who complain about watching soccer. Have they watched a lot of Ironman?

Vineman Triathlon 2010 - Images by bryan farley 

Ironman competitors have fans. Parents, partners, children and each other. The groups are diverse too. Geographically and politically. It is quite impressive.

In case it is not obvious, I have become a fan. I just do not know if I want my kids to carry signs for their dad or if next year I want to wait in the long lines and complain and take more pictures. If I take more pictures I will arrive even earlier and stay until the end.

Comments

[jmarsella@att.net]

The images are incredible. I can only imagine how difficult it is to capture this competition; yet, you managed to shoot photos that tell stories of sheer determination, focus, and perseverance.

[bryan farley]

thanks again for your compliments. the athletes were really amazing. it helps my photography if I find interesting stories, and then just get out of the way. I could probably do more to show what these people do to train and compete.

maybe next year, I can put train a little harder to make even better photos.

bf