Only the fittest of the fit can train and qualify for Ironman’s grueling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. As if participating in today’s Ironman wasn’t enough of a challenge, imagine that you are competing even though you were born with cystic fibrosis and weren’t expected to live beyond the age of two. Imagine that just six years ago you received a double lung transplant that only carries a 55% chance of survival beyond five years. As you recovered from the transplant surgery you didn’t even have the energy to eat or talk. Your muscles became so weak that you had to re-learn how to walk, but today you are in Kailua-Kona in Hawaii competing in the Ironman World Championship. Can you believe this is the real story of 35-year-old Scott Johnson of Wilmington, North Carolina? It’s true and I encourage you to read his inspirational story.
Here is a YouTube video of Scott Johnson’s incredible story:
Good luck, Scott Johnson! Though you may not win the top spot today, you have certainly won the respect of many!
Sheila Beal
