IN REMEMBRANCE
Usually writing is like therapy for me – as I love to write this column, and I love to talk to every triathlon freak I see. You’re all nuts, and I love ya! Today however, it hurts to write, and I am having trouble seeing the words on my screen through the tears in my eyes.
The triathlon world lost one of its Queens this week, and not only was she a great lady, she was my friend, she had a huge impact on my life, and I miss her already. Permit me to tell you a story…
About 12 years ago a work associate of mine announced that she was quitting the software business and starting her own triathlon and road race company in Florida. I was sorry to see her make that decision as she was a great salesperson (especially since as her sales manager she made me look good!), but I also knew that with her drive and determination she would make anything work that she put her heart behind. She did put her heart and energy into it – and Motion Sports Management was not only born, it launched, with Wendy Johnson at the helm.
One of the services that MSM offered was personalized coaching for both tri newbies and veterans, and she suggested (in her not so subtle Alabama style) that my lazy butt would benefit from it. That was a very dark time in my life, and I needed some sort of motivation, so I said sure, coach me. Realize that I had never run a step before this, and I didn’t know how to swim. Wendy took me under her wing, got me on a program of weights and running and biking, and I did my first 5K at 300 pounds in 44 minutes. Most importantly, I was hooked, and she was proud of me. She saw potential where I didn’t.
Fast forward a few years and me a few pounds lighter (ok – 75 pounds lighter) and I did my first full marathon with Wendy in the crowd. She was still proud of me, but still pushed me to learn to swim and be a “real triathlete”. She helped me buy my first tri bike, and I went to the Dannon duathlon with Wendy and her husband Al the next year, and they took the time to teach me to swim in the lap pool in their backyard. They regularly set me (and any tri friend I sent their way) up with room and board for a variety of Florida races, and some of the best memories and pictures I have are from the Hair of the Dog New Years Day Triathlon with Wendy and the St. Pete Mad Dogs.
Wendy was also the “wedding planner” for Chelle and me – as she and Al were gracious enough to let us invade their home and use the beach in their front yard for our marriage ceremony. Wendy and Machelle set about doing all the little things that I wouldn’t (and didn’t) think of, and Al and I sat in the ocean breezes and drank Coronas. More pictures with that great big Wendy smile. Blur and blink.
It was a little over a year ago that Al sent an email saying they found a mass in Wendy’s brain, but that they had good doctors and a good prognosis, and we’d see them soon. Fast forward 14 months and nearly a dozen significant surgeries later, and even the best medicine in the world can’t beat brain cancer yet.
Countless races, countless bottles of wine shared with countless friends, and pain too big to count later – Wendy lost her battle with cancer Monday night and crossed that finish line we’re all headed towards. Al tells us that she lived these past months like she raced: She prepped as much as she could, she fought hard, she fought smart, and she didn’t let the pain or the pressure get to her. Just like the triathlete she is and taught us to be, she used her body up and still wanted to go on – her body just wouldn’t let her.
A dedicated triathlete, USAT Official, race director, wedding planner, wine connoisseur, and friend; Wendy was a bright ray of Florida sunshine into many lives, and had a positive and long lasting impact on me personally. We don’t know if she made difference in the world or not, but she made a world of difference in my life, and for that, and for Wendy, I am eternally grateful.
Al will provide details for memorials and the like, but I know it’ll make her smile down from the Big Transition Area in the sky if you’ll just take a newbie under your wing and help them become a triathlete realizing their potential. That was her mission and she executed it perfectly. Thanks Wendy.
Wendy – we love you, we miss you, and we expect you to have snagged a really good spot at that Heavenly Transition Area. Save me a spot next to yours, and I’ll see you on that Race Day next.
Blur and blink.
Rich
