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FROM OUR ATHLETES<br />
Everyone has<br />
a story . . .<br />
This is Todd's<br />
In 2007, my two-year-old nephew Mason was diagnosed with<br />
leukemia and a neuroblastoma (a large tumor in his chest<br />
that was wrapped around his heart and lungs). He bravely<br />
went through all of his treatments and is currently cancerfree<br />
at age eight. Using his determination and perseverance as my<br />
inspiration, I started taking spin classes to get into shape in 2008; in<br />
2009 I ran and walked my first 5K and two sprint triathlons where<br />
I was the last out one of the water and almost last in my age group<br />
to finish.<br />
But I was hooked on the personal challenge of making the distance<br />
and bettering my times. In 2011, I made the plunge to compete in<br />
my first half ironman, so I chose <strong>Hammer</strong> <strong>Nutrition</strong> to get me there.<br />
I signed up for Hamme <strong>Nutrition</strong>'s autoship program, received<br />
my cool tri clothing kit, and went to work on training. I trained<br />
really hard all summer, and by August I was ready for Timberman<br />
70.3. The swim was fast, T1 was smooth and without a hiccup,<br />
and the first three miles of the bike were faster than I could have<br />
imagined. Then I had a flat tire three miles into the bike of my first<br />
half ironman—not a big deal, I can change it in five minutes. What<br />
I didn’t expect was that when I flipped my bike over to change the<br />
tire, I dumped ALL of my Perpetuem out of the aero bottle. I almost<br />
cried. I got back on the bike and rode the remaining miles with just<br />
water, hitting T2 and my <strong>Hammer</strong> Gels. Consuming the gels slowly,<br />
I managed to get through the half marathon after the bike, finishing<br />
around 5:47.<br />
2012 was my redemption for the Perpetuem spilling out. I trained<br />
and completed the Timberman again, beating my time by 32<br />
minutes. Perpetuem worked perfectly, fueling my body for the whole<br />
ride and leaving enough in the tank for the run. I could not have<br />
accomplished the results that I have achieved without Perpetuem,<br />
Recoverite, and <strong>Hammer</strong> Gels. Thank you for making awesome<br />
products! I am now working toward Ironman Lake Placid 2013!<br />
Thanks again,<br />
Todd Hedges<br />
Todd Hedges rides to a 2nd place age group<br />
win at the at the 2012 Amica 19.7 Sprint<br />
Triathlon. Photo : Capstone Photography<br />
62 Feb/Mar : Issue 83
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