Happiest Hour

So like I said... these posts coming about the Publix 13.1 may be a bit out of order, but it was so great to hear from one of our athletes last week that we had to get that out there.  We should have some news from Curtis up later this week along with some notes from the 5k!!

Again, I cannot thank everyone enough for playing such a big part in an exciting weekend.  When we set out to start the Kyle Pease Foundation, we had no idea that in two short years we would have 10 athletes participating in a weekend of events!! What a true honor to be a part of it all.
The happy hour was a great kick off to our weekend and it was awesome to hear JDude speak!

Friends, athletes and good times!

 But the bigger joy was having more than a chair to show people but athletes.  Athletes like Rich and Kevin Enners, who are trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon!

And I thought I look determined on the course!!

Or Greg & Marin Smith in their first 13.1...

The photo we didn't post was her getting a mid race apple sauce :)

What a fantastic weekend and we have all of you to thank!  Finally I want to close out with some thoughts from one of our first volunteers.  It takes more than just athletes and our first round of volunteers came through at Publix in a big way.
Thanks everyone!!
Kyle

A Volunteers Story:

The opportunity came through my company, LocumTenens.com, a supporter of the Kyle Pease Foundation, to assist one of their athletes through his first half marathon. I jumped at the chance and grabbed my awesome coworker and running partner, Liz to take part as well. On race day morning I finally got to meet the great Curtis Ward and was so excited to run with him through 13.1 miles of Atlanta streets. We got Curtis into his jogger and made our way to the start line. I was told I’d have another KPeasey volunteer, David Gaynoe, running alongside me as well as two cyclists to help clear the way of other runners. 

Curtis after his first race!

The gun went off for us at 6:55 to give us a 5 minute head start on the other thousands of runners. It was tough getting warmed up and within minutes of the first hill David offered to help me push Curtis which was awesome! David helped the whole way (thank you, David!) and together we got Curtis reaching some pretty high speeds on the down hills as the three of us shouted in unison, “Look out – coming through, we WILL take you out!” I was amazed at how many runners told us good job and to keep it up, many of them slowing down their pace to pat Curtis on the shoulder. I think we said, “thank you!” at least five thousand times that morning. No joke. Truly amazing. There were plenty of water stations, and Curtis never wanted any. But it was a different story when we got to the stations offering Jelly Belly’s and M&Ms! We fueled up and kept pushing through and before we knew it we were on our last mile. The crowds were incredible, cheering and clapping and pushing us through the last of the countless Atlanta hills. As we neared the finish line I was yelling at Curtis to wave to the crowds and enjoy this moment he had earned. Crossing the finish line was so exciting, a combination of relief and exhilaration. And watching them put that beautiful green medal around Curtis’s neck was THE BEST! We stopped for a few pictures and then enjoyed what we all agreed was the best chocolate milk ever created. I was so proud of Curtis for doing his first half marathon! I heard some people saying what a nice thing we did for him, but it was truly Curtis who gave me the gift that day. Thanks KPeasey crew – you are all inspiring and congrats to the amazing athletes who achieved new milestones on March 17, 2013. I will never forget it and can’t wait for the next one!
-Tara Freiberger 
Volunteer, Athlete

Tara & Curtis post race with medals.  (not pictured: chocolate milk)

My First Half Marathon Adventure

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. " - William Shakespeare 

TOGETHER WE WHEEL.  This past weekend we competed in the Georgia Publix Half Marathon and Cutie's 5k.  It was the true embodiment of what we set out to go as we all set out on under the darkness early Sunday morning.

KPF Athletes hitting the streets of Georgia

Pardon the order as we certainly have plenty of updates from our happy hour but Justin Knight or "JDude" just completed his first half marathon and we wanted to get his race report out! Stay tuned for Curtis next week and some updates from our 5k!

-KPeasey

MY FIRST HALF-MARATHON ADVENTURE

Happy Hour at The Family Dog was fun.  It took me a few minutes to get accustomed to the noise level, but once I settled myself I had a great time.  It was fun hanging out with Curtis, Kyle, Brent and everyone else that was there.  I was a little bit nervous about giving my first public speech but once I got the microphone in my hand and started to speak, the nerves went away.  It was neat to get to tell everyone what the Kyle Pease Foundation means to me and how I enjoy being a part of the group.

Just doing my first public speech.  NBD

The Publix Half was the second race that I have ever done.  The first one was the Holcomb Bridge Hustle 5K.  I didn’t really know what to expect other than knowing that I had to wake up at 4 a.m. to get ready to head downtown.  The whole week leading up to the race, all I could think about was getting up at 4 a.m. on race day! 

So, Saturday I crawled into bed early so I could get a good sleep.  I woke up at 2 a.m. because I was so excited, but went back to sleep pretty easy.  I was ready to rock at 4 a.m. on Sunday – even got up before my mom – which was no surprise!  LOL!

We got ready and headed downtown, found our parking spot and headed into Centennial Park to meet up with all the athletes.  I was still sleepy and trying to get awake as I rolled through the park. When we got to our meeting place, I spotted Liz, who would be my Pusher.  I was excited to get to meet her since we had already been talking on Facebook.  I got into the jogger, got strapped in good and tight and before I knew it we were headed to the start line.  There were people everywhere – I yelled out “COMING THROUGH!!”  as we made our way through the tons of people.  We ended up getting stuck in one of the corral areas, but someone moved one of the barricades so we could get through.  With about 3 minutes until the start, we were running up the sidewalk with a few other KP athletes.  We made it to the start line just in time!  The count-down began and everyone was cheering.  It was awesome when we took off running.  I was pumped up – it was so cool!

Me, Liz, and our bike escort had a great time as we ran through town.  It was real cool running by the Vortex, Freedom Park, and the Family Dog.  We had a crazy experience when some old man tried to pick a fight with us because he said we should have been on the other side of the street!  Everyone cheered us on and everyone loved my Newtons!!!

Coming through Va Highlands.  Liz is a rockstar and our escort was fantastic!! 

I was so glad to get to the FINISH LINE – I had to pee so bad!!!  My pusher Liz never let up. She was amazing! Raising my arm up in celebration, we crossed the finish line to victory!  It was a feeling that I won’t forget – finishing my first half-marathon and I have the medal to prove it!

Thanks Liz! Thanks Kyle! 

Many thanks to Kyle & Brent Pease and everyone with the KPeasey Foundation for making it all possible!  It feels so great to be a part of the KPeasey family of athletes!  I can’t wait to race again!! 18.3 miles and counting!!

Justin Knight

Exceptional Athletes...Exceptional Happenings

I think some of my favorite posts are the race reports, they are a big part of what we do.  A foundation with a mission to improve the lives of disabled through sport, why not hear about the accomplishments?!?  But the goal was never to just write about what I did.  What I did with my brothers...No we wanted to share that gift.  Let others see what a joy athletics can be and more importantly when we share that same field as everyone else.

In just over a week we will be taking 8 athletes to The Publix Half Marathon & Cutie's 5k.  I cannot tell you all how excited I am to be taking part in such a great occasion for our foundation.  Of course this calls for a celebration right?? So in case you haven't done so already please make sure you join us next Thursday to celebrate the occasion & pick up new KPeasey shirts to wear on race day.

I'd like to turn the focus to two of our athletes competing in the Half Marathon (13.1 Miles) with us this year.  They are Justin Knight and Curtis Ward.  Justin Knight is from Conyers, GA and may have mentioned his desire to go skydiving one day...  They call him J Dude and he pretty pumped about the crowds on race day.    So now the race reports make sense as Justin will be sharing his race report with us after completing his first 13.1 mile race!! His mom plans to run with him for part of the race along with some friends of ours from our new partners at LocumTenens.com. We simply cannot say enough great things about all of their support in every way.  We look forward to seeing them on the course with J Dude & his family!

J DUDE!!!

Curtis Ward is a long time friend of mine.  Curtis and I have played wheelchair baseball together and wheelchair soccer, but when I ran into Curtis at the movies, where he works, I realized he had to come see what endurance racing was all about.  It wasn't like the other sports we had played together.  It was hard to describe to Curtis what it's like rolling across the pavement with 18,000 of your closest friends and people all over the streets screaming at you to go faster. So we gave it a test run in November and Curtis' response was pretty simple..."When is the next one?"

No Curtis, we won't be sipping on coffee before the race this time

So we look forward to hearing Curtis & Justin's race report next time and for me? Well, I look forward to a great day for all the KPeasey heroes as we take the line as brothers.  Because  TOGETHER WE WHEEL!!!!

Hugs & Hand Pounds
KPeasey

Together We Wheel

"Together WE WHEEL"
Together we will make it a goal to race with more athletes this year.  In 2011 we hoped in Charles Harris because I wanted to try my new jogger.  I wore a golf club cover over my hand, we had pillows and jackets stuffed behind my back and legs, but it was a chance to experience what being an athlete is all about.

Yeah we looked like we knew what to do....

Not long after my first triathlon we formed the Kyle Pease Foundation to allow others to see that there are no limits others than those we place on ourselves.  In 2012 we sponsored our first athletes.  So going back to Charles Harris 10k in 2013 was special not in that it was my third year on the line, but our first with a KPF athlete.  Ryan & Katy Freeseman were athletes from the Holcomb Bridge Hustle 5k that were now setting out on a journey towards a marathon & this was the first step.  Together on a cold rainy morning, we toed the line and set off with our friends.  

Ryan & Katy headed towards the finish

Ryan & Katy were awesome on a tough day and together the father & daughter completed their first 10k together!! With tons of laughs & smiles this father/daughter team are sure to conquer a marathon in no time!! What a special meaning this year's race carried & what excitement towards the next one!

Coming up, we have The Georgia Publix Half Marathon and Cutie's 5K and our annual happy hour leading up to the race.  The happy hour will be at The Family Dog March 14th from 6-9 pm.  With live music and  delicious libations, our good friends at the Family Dog have promised a portion of the bar receipts from the night be donated towards The Kyle Pease Foundation. So be sure to mark your calendars and we will keep information coming regarding the event!

That Sunday March 17th we will be running in The Publix 13.1 along with three other KPF athletes.  Shortly after the race starts, the Cuties's 5k will kick off with another three KPF athletes on the line.  We couldn't be more excited about more races with more friends & hope to see many of our local friends along the road!

Thanks for all of your support!

-Kyle

A Year Full of THANKS

“Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people - your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way. ”
Barbara Bush 

Thank you to each and every one of you for making this such a special year.  What started as a journey amongst brothers has grown to mean so much more to us.

First Half Ironman together as brothers

From our first Half Ironman 70.3 race, to our first race with sponsored athletes this year is one we cannot thank you enough for.

First sponsored athletes and families!

 Whether it was watching future Olympians from afar or new friends close by it is hard to believe how much you have all made such an impact on us.

Christina Young on the left at the Junior PanAm games

Greg & Marin Smith at their first duathlon together

To races with dear friends and events with friends who make this all possible is a gift and we are so honored to be able to share that gift over and over.

Our dear friend Betty sharing a wonderful day with us!

The 3rd Annual KPF bowling event that brought plenty of smiles!

 From new partnerships forged that will lead us into 2013 and beyond we cannot wait to see what the future holds.  A special thanks to LocumTenens.com & Bennett Thrasher for providing incredible support to our organization.

Thank you LocumTenens.com for joining our team!

But who can forget the biggest day for us to come.  12 ATHLETES on the start line for an unforgettable day.  What a day it was and what days to come!

Thank you to those who traveled far and near to make this day possible.  Holcomb Bridge Hustle 5k Alpharetta, GA.

We had a blast that day!!

But why stop there? Why not cap the year off with so many who helped make this all possible?  A "race", a drink?!? Happy New Year to us!

Bryan Neumeier running his 40th race with Kyle through Decatur!

To all of you we simply say THANKS.  This has truly been a special year and we cannot wait to see what 2013 holds for us all.

With gratitude,
Kyle and Brent

Goosepond Weekend!

Early on a Saturday we make the trek down to Scottsboro, Alabama.  Last tri of the year, but this was special as I was speaking to all those taking to the starting line.  We tested the equipment and went on a quick run with our good buddy Andrew Shanks.  After we felt good about our equipment, we settled in for a short rest at the hotel and waited on our friend John David and his entire family.  I was pretty excited to have them all there and words don't describe the thanks I felt with them.  John David has long been a friend and it always brings joy to see him by our side on race morning.

In my speech I spoke of the gifts that we have and no matter how small the gift we should all share those.  For me a simple gesture of opening a door can make the world of difference in my day.  The group in Alabama was an incredibly warm group and as I spoke to the group I was already looking forward to a fun day racing with everyone.

Delivering remarks to racers of Goosepond 70.3

Raceday started at 4:45am...cold and dark, I settle into my thoughts. Upon our arrival, we assemble our equipment and prepare for the day ahead.  There was a piercing coolness to the day but I was ready for what was before us.   JD and his nephew Martin pump our kayak and Brent pulled on his wetsuit.  As the horn sounds, Brent lurches forward and I feel the boat move swiftly in the water.  We were moving quick today.  Maybe Brent didn't want the cold water on him much more than I needed that wind blowing in my face.  Either way I was screaming my head off at him.  No sense in slowing down now...

No time for sight seeing today :)

A quick transition was aided by sherpas Dad and JD and then we were off on the bike. The wind was in my face as we turned through the Alabama country roads.  My legs got tight, my back started to ache.  Should we stop? What are we doing? "Brent how many more miles??" He lets me know it is a mere 20 miles...We all face the challenges of the day and together we all must get to the other side of the mountain.  Brent was working hard and I wanted to work harder.  I urged him on and fought through the barriers of my own.  As we neared the transition I was proud of how hard we worked and knew I had learned another lesson as we race more and more. 

Saying hey to friends with our great escorts for the day!

The run was difficult as well as the cold never really let up.  I knew we needed to stay positive and once on the run we had friends and family all over.  Plus the other racers were great energy to keep us going.  As we made our way over the course John David and his family pulled up alongside us and offered us some warm food.  Yep french fries and hamburger :) I think I know a new fuel source for those longer races and those salty fries were some of the best food I have ever tasted...well at least 6 hrs into a good race. 

 

As we raced along I kept thinking of positive thoughts.  I asked more of my body and more of Brent to get us across the line.  This was no easy day but as we approached the finish I knew we had earned it!  We finished in 7hrs 18mins making it a terrific end to a great weekend. I would like to thank the people of Scottsboro for their unbelievable hospitality and generosity as well as all the positive things they had to say about the foundation. To our three escorts on the bike... I don't know how to thank you enough.  To JD and his wife, their children, his mother and cousin thank you for all the support.  It gives us all the more reason to push through.  To Dad for being there all day to make sure we were taken care of a thousand thanks!!

We have a great November in store and hope to share our gifts with many of you!

All the best!

K-Peasey

Pride

Holcomb Bridge Hustle 5k

Holcomb Bridge Hustle 5k Teams With Kyle Pease Foundation!!!!

Holcomb Bridge Middle School and the second-annual Holcomb Bridge Hustle 5k are
excited to announce a partnership with the Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF), a non-profit
organization which provides sports-participation opportunities for persons with disabilities.

To kick off this partnership, HBMS will be hosting an in-school assembly on Oct. 19 with
Kyle Pease, his brothers and KPF supporters to promote this year’s race, discuss the
organization’s goals and educate all HBMS students about inclusion of all athletes as part of the
group’s mission.
Through this partnership, the school, it’s PTA and race organizers, will be promoting
KPF’s mission to provide assistance for persons with disabilities and to help them meet their
individual needs through sports. Kyle Pease, as well as students who are being assisted by
KPF, and numerous KPF supporters and volunteers will participate in this year’s race.
We are excited to be able to help all students experience the thrill of reaching the
starting line and the exhilaration of crossing the finish line.





Mission Statement: The purpose of The Kyle Pease Foundation is to create awareness and raise funds
to promote success for persons with disabilities by providing assistance to meet their individual needs
through sports. Programs may include scholarship opportunities, purchasing medical equipment for
others or contribute to other organizations that provide similar assistance to disabled persons and
participating in educational campaigns to create awareness about Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities.

KPF will provide these services directly to individuals as well as partner with other existing non-profit organizations to achieve these goals. Direct beneficiaries will be limited to persons with disabilities who need adaptive sports equipment, mobility devices or medical care.