Support the 6th Annual Ironbaby!
We have an amazing opportunity this year to make a REAL impact with an entire family that needs our help. Mikey McHugh is suffering from Hirschsprung's Disease, and his parents are struggling to get him to the The Colorectal Center in Cincinnati for his surgeries. Mikey's mother, Carrie, is having to drive him to Ohio and stay with him for months while leaving work with no pay. They are doing garage sales and everything possible to try to make ends meet without going into total financial collapse.
THE IRONBABY IS ABOUT KIDS! THIS SITUATION IS THE REAL DEAL!!!
We usually raise money to go off into unknown hands for unspecified needs, but Mikey's surgeries are right here, right now. His mother created this Facebook page so you can follow him as he goes to Ohio for his surgeries with your help!
You don't need to wait until the Ironbaby race date to help out. Below is the PayPal button where you can send them money to help get food, gas, and a place to sleep during this ordeal. Your help can make all the difference in the world for this kid!
Let's make Mikey better!
Ok, now let's check out the course...
View Iron Baby Course Map in a larger map
(Google Maps doesn't have a runner icon, so I used a wheelchair. That's probably what I'll need by that time anyway.)
We will be completing a self-supported Ironman-distance triathlon on Oct 21st, 2011. This will be the fifth time we've done it, the third time for charity. We would love your support!
Here's the FAQ:
Q: What charities are you racing for and why?
A: I missed my first "real" Ironman because my son was born 2.5 months premature. He toughed it out and showed me what a real Ironman truly is. In his honor, I completed my own "solo" Ironman distance race in my hometown. I named this the race the "Ironbaby."
Usually, we race the "Ironbaby" annually to raise money for three charities. We have chosen the March of Dimes (they help hospitalized kids and without their assistance my son may have never made it) and the Ronald McDonald House (they gave us a place to stay near the hospital in Houston). I have also included the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research to the list because my own dad is struggling with this terrible disease. This year, we are raising money for Mikey McHugh, who is suffering terribly from Hirschsprung's Disease.
Donation links are at the bottom of this page.
Q: How long is this event?
A: It's a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, then a 26.2 mile run.
Q: Are you serious?
A: Absolutely! We've done five before, finishing in 17, 15, 13, 12.5, and 12 hours.
Q: How do you do it?
A: We do the swim at a local pool (next to my awesome swim team - The "Brazos Splash"), then drive to my house, bike 4 loops so that I can swing by the house and refuel, then run 9 loops around the neighborhood near the house so that we can also refuel on the run.
Q: This sounds easier/harder than a "real" Ironman. Is it?
A: It's just as hard, some say even harder! There's no crowds to motivate you, so you have to totally support yourself, and quitting is very tempting when you keep passing your own house multiple times. I've done both kinds and sometimes it actually feels harder. The toughest year, the temperature stayed between 34 and 44 degrees all day long. It is still the coldest Ironman I've ever heard of. It was brutal!
Q: Can I join you?
A: Absolutely! The course will be laid out soon and anybody can come out for part or all of it. The company would be fun. It is in College Station, TX.
Q: How can I follow you on that day?
A: We will be posting to Twitter as we go along. It is always lots of fun to watch!
Q: How will you be collecting funds?
A: Just click the link below and donate directly to the family. Let me know how much you donated by sending Texafornia at Gmail.com an email with "Ironbaby" in the subject line and how much you donated. I will post your first (and last if you ask) names as "sponsors".
Thanks and have fun!
- Coach Brett