HAWAII

The Rush Miller Foundation Wishes to say MAHALO! to the following sponsors for their donations for the Hawaii Tandems and Eric's training.

American Medical Response

Riches Fine Jewelry

Banner, Buxman, Kwitek, and Ohlsen PC

Allstate - Sandy Reinsch

Pueblo Chiropractic - Dr. Eric Young and Dr. Bob Grahm

Oahu Bike Donation to Keao and Gaston

Ironman REVISITED 2002

Race Day Photos

Article Written By Eric for CTS (Carmichael Training Systems)

CTS athlete Eric Miller recently completed Ironman Revisited on the island of Oahu, HI and put together a story of his experience during the event. As part of the event, Eric, a board member for the Rush-Miller Foundation, arranged for two visually impaired Hawaiian children to receive tandem bicycles. The goal of the Rush-Miller Foundation, formed in 2001, is to help blind or visually impaired children acquire their first tandem bicycle. The foundation was inspired by Eric's son, Garrett Rush-Miller, who, at the age of 5, developed a medulloblastoma (malignant brain tumor) leaving him visually impaired. It is the desire of the Rush-Miller Foundation to identify other blind/visually impaired children who could enjoy the benefits of their first bike. To learn more about the Rush-Miller foundation, visit their web site at http://www.rushmillerfoundation.org/.

Ironman Revisited 2002

By Eric Miller

When I started triathlons 2 1/2 years ago I never considered an Ironman as a possibility. Like many people, I remember watching the event on TV and thinking, "How could anyone do all this in a day?" So when I was signing up for Kona lottery earlier this year, I did it knowing chances of getting in were very slim. We all seem to know people who have tried to gain entry in the Ironman through the lottery for over 10 years and have never gotten in. Shortly after I sent in my lottery application, I received an email from Challenged Athletes Foundation in San Diego. They were doing the original Ironman route on Oahu for the first time in 22 years, calling the event Ironman Revisited. John Collins, the creator of the Ironman, would be on hand to start the race and present his handmade "Hole in the Head" trophies he created for the first race in 1978. Since Ironman Revisited was not an "official" race, I figured it would be the perfect scenario for me to attempt my first Ironman. Ironically, two weeks later notice came that I received a slot in Kona as well.

After a summer of training, standing on Waikiki Beach the morning of the race I could hardly talk from the nausea. Did I prepare enough? It was a relief to finally jump in the water and get started. Half way through the swim I discovered a lot about ocean currents. A lifeguard came out and said, "You're way out here pal, you need to head back in." That would explain why I wasn't seeing any buoys. I was out about 100-200 yards farther than I should have been. Swimming the last 800 yards was interesting as I watched the channel marker going forward as I went backwards. The last few meters of the swim were more difficult than the first 2 miles.

The transition was smooth and it felt good to get on the bike. Challenged Athletes Foundation and the Rush Miller Foundation donated two tandem bicycles to some blind Hawaiian children. So, rotating between my sons, Ryan and Garrett and the two bike recipients, I rode a tandem for the first 25 miles of the bike course. I could feel the kids' energy helping me up the hills around Diamond Head and into Kaneohe. The turquoise water and hearing the surf breaking was unbelievable. At mile 60 I stopped at a banana plantation, climbed a banana tree and had my picture taken eating a banana. In honor of Bob Babbitt, I stopped again at mile 80 and ate a Big Mac and shaved ice snow cone, as he did during his 1980 Ironman race. As I rode by the Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri I gave a small salute. Then I focused on riding on in to the Aloha Tower and the transition area.

A banner hanging on a bench was the only indicator of the transition area. This event was as nostalgic as it was an endurance event. There was not support provided for the race, except for rest stop put up by Seal Mask at mile 60. Each participant was responsible for his or her own support and I had three cars of support crew so I was well maintained.

The first portion of the run took us through downtown Waikiki. The first 6 miles were no problem as you're running down through the tourist center and then on Waikiki Beach. As I came up along Diamond Head I did the jog/walk for the next 9 miles. In an effort to be up one on Bob Babbitt, I ate four chicken legs from KFC at mile 15. So it was no surprise shortly after I hit the wall. Hitting the wall made me realize, eating the chicken was the dumbest thing I have ever done.

At mile 25 as I crested the hill back by Diamond Head, I was walking with my dad. The nearly full moon lit up the Pacific which I was able to look straight down at and watch the waves crashing against the cliffs. Through the sounds of the wind and the surf I heard, "GO ERIC!" I looked over and there was John Collins, the founder of the event, cheering for me. What a moment! Being such a classy guy I walked over and asked him, "What were you thinking when you thought of this?" We all laughed.

I thought, "How cool is this, John Collins cheering for me as I am about to finish my first Ironman." Then I figured out his motives in talking with me were not of the purest intent. His son was just minutes behind me and in the time we spent talking his son caught and passed me. AHHHHH! So I ran the last 1.2 in an effort to retake my position, but still finished 1 minute behind Michael Collins.

The next day I received the famous "Hole in the Head" trophy. I am an Ironman! To do my first Ironman with 27 others on the original course was an honor. I am now looking forward to Kona with confidence.

Thanks to Teddy Holt (coach) and CTS for all their support without which finishing this "race" would not have been a possibility.