Rain Didn't Keep KPeasey Away from the Marine Corps Marathon

Every great adventure come with challenges. Whether it be encountering mythical creatures, crashing through waves in the middle of the ocean, or racing amid a downpour in the Nation’s Capital.

The latter was the case for Team KPeasey participating in this year’s Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC. It didn’t seem that bad at the start, the precipitation was just a drizzle, but soon, we would all be soaked. I, would soon be reconsidering some life choices and I’m sure I was not alone. A fellow KPeasey crank athlete, Jessica Minton had this to say in a post-race interview : “My arms are chaffed soooo bad. Like, I can’t wear a cotton shirt. It has to be silky.”

Luckily, we had an awesome support crew to get through the madness and howling wind. Volunteer, Pascal Goutiex, monitored the race from the sidelines, helping the in-chair athletes and their respective family before, during and after the race.  “I have always participated in races as a push assist, I decided it was time for me to participate in a race as volunteer, seeing it from the other side. I decided to do that for the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC.”

“Despite the hard work that goes into the operational aspect of such a race, it was a rather rewarding experience. Helping the in-chair athletes and their respective family before, during and after the race was wonderful. It was also an eye opener and made me realize that our regular volunteers have been doing such a fantastic job all along.”

Pascal continues, “Once the athletes were on their way to the start line, I ran with an empty chair to the Francis Scott Key bridge in case we had to replace a broken one. From there, I ran to a few other points along the racecourse. Folks were looking at me, amused or intrigued, because I was running pushing an empty chair. Seeing racers passing by, especially the ones from KPF, was a very emotional experience. Seeing the will (and the wheel) of in-chair athletes and pushers to make it to the finish line, understanding that this is a rather difficult course and it was pouring rain pretty much throughout the race, was an amazing feeling. And despite the difficulties that day, everyone had a wonderful smile on their face at the end. As we were packing up after the race, I realized how fortunate my family is to know Kyle & Brent and all their brothers and sisters of this beautiful family.”

Despite the nasty weather, it was a fun last Marine Corps Marathon for all of the KPeasey Team. By the time I had crossed the finish line, after speeding through miles of puddles, I was soaked to the bone – yet, I was excited to have conquered another tough race. 

Together WE Wheel,
Kevin Enners
KPeasey Athlete & Team Member

KPeasey Athlete, Kevin, Speaks Out About Races

Pre-Race Thoughts on the 44th Marine Corp Marathon – The People’s Marathon
By Kevin Enners

I’ve cranked in a lot of races, each one bookmarked in my heart, journaled in my blog or remembered as I put on the t-shirt from the event. The 2019 Marine Corps Marathon, I suspect, will truly be something special to memorialize and, with 18 KPeasey athletes in our nation’s capital on October 27th, the final Marine Corp for the Foundation is shaping up to be the best one yet. 

What started in 2013 with a partnership between The Kyle Pease Foundation and the Ability Experience to promote inclusion and success for people with disabilities, this race has become one of the most inclusive marathons in the country. KPF was proud to have played a small part in 2013 with just three athletes - Justin Knight, Katy Freeseman and myself.

In 2018, KPF’s participation grew to 17 in-chair athletes and 141 supporters. The partnership, to date, has raised more than $500k with a staggering 300 plus disabled athletes crossing the finish line. 

“They have been more than a supporter but a great partner for us in learning how to handle such large events,” added Brent, “Truly an uplifting day...not to mention the finish.”

Revisiting Our Dream of Becoming Ironman World Champions One Year Later

It was barely a year ago that Kyle and I were preparing for the biggest race of our lives. It still feels pretty fresh, as the triathlon world swirls back around KONA for the 2019 World Ironman Championships. While it is still fresh in my mind, I want to reflect on it one more time.

For those that dream, perhaps this will speak to you. Or for those that are brothers, mothers, fathers, sisters and family you will likely understand, too. Kyle and I both wanted to be athletes growing up, but neither of us would ever be the first picked. We weren't bad, or less able. It was simply the way the selection process worked out. When I ultimately stumbled into endurance sports and eventually joined with Kyle to compete together, the dream of being an athlete came flooding back. Like when we were kids in our backyard making up rules to whatever games we were playing, the dream became very powerful and through refusing to give up that dream, it all led to KONA.

Each of you had a hand in the ultimate success of race week. Your support was felt over every mile and throughout our entire week in Hawaii. Kyle often talks of finally being recognized as an athlete, but he has made me an athlete, too. Kyle carried me down to Dig Me beach and through the challenging waves of the mighty Pacific. He powered me across the Queen K, up to Hawi and back faster than we had ever ridden before. Then he coached me through the hardest run we've ever endured; through some of our darkest miles together and out onto the other side. We ultimately experienced one of the grandest finish lines we've ever known to be crowned Ironman World Champion athletes.

To say it was a special moment would be a slight understatement. As we look to Championship week this year, we are reminded of the perfect words from our friend, Dale Robinson, "When you [are] in the world championship, we all in the world championship." Together We Wheel. Thank you all for "Walking With Kpeasey"

The journey will continue and with more than 600 finish lines crossed this year by the athletes of our foundation. We look forward to closing out the year with a bang. At the end of October, we will have 18 teams in Washington DC for the Marine Corps Marathon and then on November 10th we will celebrate our year with our annual bowling and awards event at Bowling with KPeasey. We hope to see you all there to celebrate like World Champions!

Fall is in Full Swing for KPeasey

Whew!  It’s been a very busy year for The Kyle Pease Foundation – and, as we wind down, there are a few wheels still turning. 

On September 13th, The Jake hosted their 5th Annual Golf Tournament benefiting The Kyle Pease Foundation. It was a perfect day on the course with over 60 golfers at Horseshoe Bend Golf Course. Click HERE to see pictures from this spectacular day.

Bowling with KPeasey will be on November 10th this year. At the event, we will announce the winner of the Jake Vinson Family Grant. The Jake Vinson Family Grant is intended for individuals and families who are experiencing disability and are looking to enhance their quality of life through resources that may not be readily available or financially unattainable.

“The grant means a tremendous amount to our family,” said Jake’s mom, Amy Vinson. “KPF allowed Jake to participate in a sport that he would not have had an opportunity otherwise. The grant is symbolic of our ability to share with other very deserving athletes and allows Jake’s memory to live on and hopefully inspire others.”

In addition to the award presentation, the bowling party offers an opportunity for all our athletes to mingle, eat and enjoy a lowkey, no-sweat activity! 

When asked what his favorite bowling memory was, Kyle offered, “I have so many favorite memories of our bowling event. My overall favorite memory of bowling is celebrating our athletes and family’s accomplishments over the year.”

“I’m super honored that Jake’s legacy is felt during this process,” he continued. “I’m thankful for the Vinson family and our wonderful committee.”

As we head towards 2020, we focus on the Boston Marathon in which the foundation’s own athlete/volunteer team, Lizzy Kirksey and Gordie Powellwill participate in the iconic tradition. We wish them luck on the road to Boston and can’t wait to celebrate with the #BostonPeaseParty

With the Marine Corps Marathon quickly approaching, it’s easy to forget that there’s one more race on the calendar. The holidays are about spending time with friends and family. On Thanksgiving Day morning, the KPF family will be in the streets again, participating in the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Half-marathon, ending the racing season in true KPF fashion. 

Speaking of fashion, we’ve got new swag! There will be new KPF wear coming out in October. All purchases will go towards supporting chair athletes. For more information on this, check our store on October 1st. 

We appreciate all of our athletes and volunteers and look forward to seeing you soon!

Kyle and Brent "Love That Dirty Water" in Boston

Hey KPeasey Nation….Though I hate to push the summer away faster than I should, I’m really looking forward to our fall racing season. Somehow the heat of an Atlanta summer is not as conducive for racing as the crisp morning air of September and October.

 While Brent and I were traveling around Boston last weekend, Kevin Enners and several other KPF athletes were enjoying one of our favorite races, the 27h Annual Lekotek Run.  Kevin shared his race report in the paragraphs below.

 “The last Lekotek race I did resulted in the three letters no competitive athlete wants to hear – DNF. One of the pullies that kept my recumbent cycle chain taut was smashed as I rode over a speedbump. The speedbump was unavoidable as were all the ones spanning the entire width of the first stretch. Luckily, the damage to the bike was fixable, but it was devastating to my soul.

I thought that would be my last attempt at Lekotek, until recently, finding out that they had a new course, which turned the four-miler into a 5k and10k – without speedbumps! Instead, it had hills! Lots of hills. Grinding away up one steep sucker, cresting the top breathless, I found myself reconciling some life decisions. What had I expected? Maybe that the course would be friendly? Maybe it would seem manageable as I’ve gotten stronger? Wrong-o!

A fellow crank athlete, Jackson, accompanied me and suffered with me through massive, thigh-burning undulations. Drill the hills, I urged myself...just drill the hills. Jackson was a crank athlete who had raced with ConnectAbility in Dahlonega. He is aspiring to qualify for the Paralympics in a push-rim chair.

His racing tactics were the typical full-speed-downhill-grind-uphill method. Mine were just the opposite, as I consider myself a “climber” and a “careful-not-to-flip-over descender”.

With four-percent climb to ascend (according to Strava), I tried to hold my watts slightly below my FTP (Functional Threshold Power)– which is 100 watts – but had to go above FTP just to average a seven-minute-per-mile pace. It was a challenging course and one that makes you appreciate the finish!”

Everyone seemed to have a great time and this was felt in the power of Kevin’s words. Kevin is a hard worker, a published author and a gifted writer and teaches us all that a mere disability can’t hold you back.

 We had an equally great time in Boston due to the planning, connections and great hospitality of none other than our friend and co-author, Todd Civin. Todd’s itinerary for us included a visit to a wonderful adaptive gym owned by new friend Brendan Aylward, a TV interview with Worcester TV3, and two book signings.  The absolute highlights however were throwing out the first pitch for the Pawtucket Red Sox, the AAA affiliate for Boston, bringing out the game ball and the resin bag for the starting pitcher at historic Fenway Park. These are childhood dreams of every little boy and girl and were absolutely incredible experiences. We met Red Sox pitcher Andrew Cashner, who was so down to earth.

We also visited the bronze statue of the founders of our sport Dick and Rick Hoyt which sits overlooking the starting line of the  historic Boston Marathon. This was dwarfed only by meeting the Babe Ruth of our sport, Dick Hoyt, in human form. Rick was ill so couldn’t join Dick at the Expo for the Falmouth Road Race but meeting Dick was surreal. He is so supportive of what we are doing and without the efforts of he and Rick, our sport may have never existed and the opportunities to compete for so many would likely remain a fantasy.  We shared war stories with Mr. Hoyt and show absolute love and appreciation to the founder of our sport.

After competing in the Falmouth Road Race, we returned home as our athletes competed in one of our staple races, the John Tanner Tri. Several athletes competed with the help of some amazing volunteers. As always smiles were abundant and everyone enjoyed the atmosphere and the comradery experienced by our athletes and their families.

Don’t forget that our book, Beyond the Finish is now available in Kindle form which we are super thrilled about.

Until next time,

Kyle