Thank You

I would like to express my greatest appreciation for the support Melissa has given me during the time I was in the fight; more on this in a little while.  I would also like to express my appreciation for everyone following my progress; not as long as I would have liked it, but I am taking a lot of lessons learned from this experience and will be adjusting my training for 2012 and go back at it.  ABC Nightline interviewed me as I quit, but in exchange they provided me a ride back to the place we are staying.  Please feel free to watch my 15 minutes of shame Monday or Tuesday, which CNN will also be airing the taping they have been doing.  I would also like to thank all of the competitors as they too have taught me a lot about myself and have all been amazing in their efforts regardless of their place.  Regarding Melissa, I have been extremely humbled by her endurance and what she did for me while I was in my 1302 squat cleans with a 25lbs rock as she followed me around the circle feeding me as I rotated. She gave me incredible support emotionally during the tough times and has stood for a person who can improve exponentially when they put their mind to something and serves as encouragement for next years run.  I must also point out that through the registration and purchasing of items (sometimes a bit beyond our budget) she stood by my side and kept encouraging me and telling me that I would do great.  The 4:30 am call was one of the most difficult things I have had to say to her, because I know she would still be supportive of my decision.  I have felt aches and pains and sometimes in life regardless of the situation you have to know when you have pushed your body, and I reached that point fearing I would be a burden to my fellow competitors as we made our way back down the river (2 more hours of cold and slippery conditions; air temp was 55 and the water could not have been too much more than that, and the organizers agreed that the river was up much more than years past; not excuses but this part will not appear adequately during the the presentations as it was in the middle of the night and there was not enough spots along the route for the crews to get footage).  Melissa, I Love and Appreciate all that you have done - THANK YOU!