Published March 1, 2017 08:52AM
Cover Contest Finalist: Glenn Hartrick
"The sport of triathlon brings out the absolute best in people, but more so the best in me as the recovery from my life altering accident wouldn’t be possible without the benefits of triathlon."
The brand new #MyTri page is dedicated to reader stories and will be updated frequently with new tales.
Glenn Hartick
Age: 35
Location: Jersey City, N.J.
In three words: Inspiring, relentless, motivating
Having completed over 175 various multisport events since 2006, over 80 triathlons and fortunate to have won over 18; completed five Ironman events with a 9:50 PR, 15 70.3s with a 4:14 PR in my last event… as an able bodied athlete. On May 17, 2014 I finished Ironman Texas and I was back home training for Ironman Canada when on a normal training ride, a car made an illegal u-turn, struck me and left me paralyzed from the chest down on June 12, 2014. The triathlon community meant survival, compassion and support.
ADVERTISEMENT
From day one in the hospital, the entire triathlon community was there for me, just like we had been there for each other in our many training and racing sessions [misery does love company]. Getting my first taste of a hand cycle on a frigid snow covered day would be the next catalyst. I started training again with my training group, used Strava again, a power meter again, then one year after the accident in the photo shown, I completed the New York City Marathon in a hand cycle. After that, I had my sets on returning to the triathlon world.
Watching friends cross the Kona finish line with my locally famous “2ns” shirts was just inspirational. Working with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, I received a grant for my hand cycle and race chair. I have completed a few local triathlons in New Jersey, half distance and on the two year anniversary went to Eagleman where I had my first 70.3—however I wasn’t able to finish the run. This year will bring even more excitement with the help of the multisport community all the way, I will overcome even more obstacles and go back to Eagleman and finish, and then set my sights on a fall Ironman, either Florida or Louisville! The sport of triathlon brings out the absolute best in people, but more so the best in me as the recovery from my life altering accident wouldn’t be possible without the benefits of triathlon.