2017 Wrap Up and Updates for 2018

First off, sorry for the lack of posts in the second half of 2017. It was a busy time.

In September, I once again raced the Cultus Lake Triathlon. The swim went well. It was not my fastest but still a good swim.

The bike went great. The start and end of the bike course is hilly, but the rest is flat. It really played to my strength on the bike. Having done this race before, I was familiar with the bike course. This helped with pacing.

Since I'd been having issues with speed wobble on the bike, I bought a new wheel set. It's the same as the wheels I've been running, but 50mm instead of 80. I had been training with a 50 on the front and an 80 on the back and had no issues. So this is what I did for this race.

The run is where it fell apart. On the first out-and-back on the first lap, I got a sharp pain in my left ankle. I stopped a medical tent and had it wrapped, but is stuck around for almost 7 of the 10 kilometers of the run.

There were moments during the run that i almost took my self out of the race, but I kept on and finished.

I plan on doing the race again this year. In 2016, I got a flat on the bike. In 2017, I had an injury on the run. So in 2018, I will either have a bad swim, or everything will finally go right.


At the end of November, I was signed up to run the Seattle Marathon, but had to cancel my plans due to my Grandfather passing away.

Granddad had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's years ago and had taken a turn for the worse. A part of me hoped he would hold out until after the marathon, but like most thing in life, I had no control over that.

I flew to Indiana for the funeral on Thanksgiving Weekend (US Thanksgiving). It was a fantastic trip under less than ideal circumstances. I was able to see the entire Hayden family. All 14 aunts and uncles, 14 cousins , 15 second cousins, my sisters, my bother in laws, my nieces, and my brother.

I got to spend more time with my brother than usual and I feel we are a little closer because of it. If you know anything about that relationship growing up, you know what a big deal this is.

I learned so much about Granddad over those few days. Things he would have never bragged about as he was truly a selfless man.

Deacon Robert (Bob) Hayden 89, passed away Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 at Walnut Alzheimer's Special Care Center. Bob grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, the son of Robert & Hazel Hayden. 

As a high school freshman, he entered Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. In 1945 he moved to Evansville, IN and graduated from Memorial High School in 1946. He served in the armed forces and graduated from the Technical Arts Institute in Chicago as an auto mechanic. He married Lucie Loehr and was loving and dedicated husband for 68 years. He worked as a parts clerk, a salesman and eventually became president of Lannert-Moutoux Warehouse. Bob was owner of East Side Auto Parts and Penny Auto Parts and in 1990 retired from his business commitments. 

Bob was inducted into the Greater Evansville Automotive Hall of Fame for his dedication to the Automotive Aftermarket and for his superior service to the industry. 

Bob was a charter member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and was the first president of the Parish Council. He coached Little League for nine years and served his parish in many capacities. He constantly attended theology classes to enhance his Catholic Christian knowledge. Bob joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul when he was in his twenties. He held offices in the Society on the Parish, Diocesan and National levels. 

Bob dedicated his life to taking care of the spiritual needs of others through the Society. The first homeless shelter for families in Evansville, the Ozanam Family Shelter was initiated by Bob and he served as its President of the Board for twenty years. 

On January 19, 1991, Bob was ordained a permanent deacon of the Catholic Church and was assigned to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Oakland City, IN for three years. He continued his ministry at Holy Redeemer. Deacon Bob was the facilitator 'with RCIA Process and "Catholics Returning Home" for many years. He retired from his Deaconate duties in 2013, continuing to visit the nursing homes, hospitals and shut-ins. 

Bob enjoyed working out at the YMCA. He and Lucie also liked to travel and dance. 

Robert was proceeded in death by his parents, a sister, Wanda McPharlin; and a brother, Richard Hayden. He is survived by his wife Lucie (Loehr) Hayden; children, Connie (Dan) McPeak of Tampa,FL; Dan (Susie) Hayden of Mt. Vernon, IN; Jim (Debbie) Hayden, Larry (Teri) Hayden, Jeff (Donna) Hayden, Laura (Ron) Hudson, Deanna (Rob) Brown all of Evansville, 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren.

At the Memorial Service, my uncle told a story that personifies Granddad better than I ever could. My uncle recalled one of his basketball games in which Granddad was constantly yelling at the referee. The referee, in an attempt to quiet Granddad, offered his whistle with the challenge, "If you think you can do a better job, then you do it!"

Granddad took the whistle and refereed the rest of the game.

In the words of my uncle, "He saw something that was not right, and he fixed it."

In a world where turning a blind eye to the things that are wrong, it is sometimes hard to do the right thing and fix it.

This is the lesson I will carry with my along side all the memories I have of Granddad.

Seeing the impact that Granddad had on not only our family, but those families in need and seeing the impact Alzheimer's had on him, I made a decision.

All of my races in 2018, will be raced to benefit the Alzehimer's Society of Canada In Granddad's name.

Racing for a charity not only benefits the charity, but gives me added motivation/inspiration while racing. When I need a push, I can think about those I am racing for.


Abi and those I have raced for in the past will still be with me, but now I can add Granddad and those suffering from Alzheimer's. And not only those afflicted with Alzheimer's, but the family members it ultimately affects as well.


With the help of The Alzheimer's Society of BC and CanadaHelps.org I have setup a donation page: 

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/in-memory-of-robert-hayden/

The page will be up all year for donations and every race I do will be added to the page.

If you know a family that has dealt with the affects of Alzheimer's, or if you just wish to donate, the webpage will be up all year.

The first race up, is the Pacific First Half, Half Marathon on February 11th.

If you are reading this, then you already know where to go to follow my progress. 

As always, thank you for taking the time to follow my story.