Team Hoyt

Brian and I just got back from listening to Dick Hoyt speak at the ASU Convocation Center. Wow, I am still soaking it all in. First of all, it was sponsored by a Christian hospital here in town, so they had a praise and worship team from a local church singing before the event started, while people were milling around the booths that were set up. Then, once the program got going, they led us in a time of worship that was incredible! They were a large worship team and their music was so powerful and inspiring! I loved it! I haven't experienced that amazing of a worship session in a long time, and who would've thought it wouldn't even be in a church?

For those of you who are not familiar with Team Hoyt, they are a father-son team who have completed almost 1000 athletic events, mostly marathons and triathalons, along with a 3775 mile run and bike trek across the United States. Rick, the son, was born with cerebral palsey in 1962. They have competed for the last 25+ years by Dick pushing Rick while he runs, Rick sitting on a special seat over the front tire of Dick's bike, and by Dick pulling Rick behind him in a raft while he swims. And believe it or not, Dick was not a runner when Rick had this idea to start competing! (He also had not been on a bike since he was 6 yrs. old and didn't know how to swim!)

I had a lump in my throat most of the night, and tears often overflowed. The whole love story between this father and son is just amazing. It also made me dearly miss working out and competing. I even asked Brian if he wanted to start pushing me during his races! I grew up playing lots of sports as most kids do, but really began considering myself an athlete the last 15 years before our car accident. I loved working out and being a part of teams all through jr. high, sr. high and college. I loved working out after college when I was coaching. I continued working out even until the day before each of our daughters were born. It was just a part of my life. I felt healthy. I felt good about myself. I craved the endorphins that your body produces when working out. Not being able to exercise is truly one of the things I have grieved most over these last 3 1/2 years. I think my personal life experience made this presentation especially impactful for me. It was a night that I will remember for a long time. Thanks to Dick and Rick Hoyt for sharing their story.