Will you help me bring encouragement to the world of MS and beyond?

My Race
I race numerous races of all type and distances each year but Trifest is the special one.  It is where it all began for me.  The event, the people, and the reason to race are always one of the races I look most forward to each year.

My Story
Late 2011, I decided to take up running to work on improving my health. I had been overweight, battled back problems and surgeries for years, bad blood pressure, and a family history full of diabetes and heart problems.  After getting to the point where I was actually able to run my first 5k in December 2011 I spent the Spring and Summer running and getting to what I thought at the time was better condition.  One day in Summer 2012 friends at work were discussing something called a "triathlon" to be held in Bentonville. After laughing that off, I went for a lunch run and something kept pulling at me that this seemed like a challenge. Those of you who know me well know my propensity for dealing with things that either people tell me I can't do or things that seem out of reach to accomplish. That day I decided I would read a little more about this "triathlon" and after some study, I found out they had a "training series" each Friday evening. Only a few roadblocks being that #1 I didn't know how to swim (and I say that meaning I couldn't swim the length of a pool) and #2 I didn't own a bike.  Nonetheless that little thing inside me clicked, and I went to this training series event.  

After attempting to swim and realizing I had no business trying this at the time, I was prepared to leave when a smiling lady came up and encouraged me to get right back in that pool and swim some more. After another 30 minutes of almost drowning myself, I quietly attempted to leave the pool only to see everyone else in this group had taken off on a bike ride in the sweltering heat. This smiling lady was sitting on a bench in the parking lot next to my car. Once again she "encouraged" me that I at least needed to go for a run (it was crazy hot out) before I left. After a short run, at which point, I was wishing I would have drowned in the pool, I came back to see the smiling lady with a water bottle encouraging me once again and making sure I would be there next week. As I went to my car to what I believed would be a collapse and pass out, I saw someone I knew and mentioned that a smiling lady was attempting to kill me. My friend laughed and said "oh yes, that is Jo Rampy, and she will never quit smiling and never stop encouraging you".   

On the drive home, it clicked to me that I had seen the name "Rampy" on this Trifest fundraiser event and I quickly realized what this meant. The rest of the ride home that little voice inside me started thinking about what a challenge this was and the gears shifted in my mind that I was going to do this. Over the next weeks. I went to several of these training series events attempting to not drown myself,  learning to ride on a borrowed bike from my neighbor, and seeing the smiling lady there telling me that my swim was looking better. I think she only said that so I would stop worrying about drowning. Nonetheless, my friendship with smiling Jo Rampy had begun but even more importantly, the encouragement that she and Scott are so known for had begun to make an impact and I felt I could actually do this once unfathomable feat.  

In August, I did that first Trifest sprint event, and I still to this day may hold the record for the slowest swim time. But I managed through and the challenge that it was lit the fire for me. Over the recent years, I continued to work harder, develop my skills, and take my health and well being to levels I never dreamed of... Jo is still smiling and to this day, I continue to chase bigger challenges of all types and distances. This once out of shape, bad health, non-swimming, uninvolved guy is now in the best shape of his life and tackles everything from 5k to Ironman with some sights on even bigger things in the future. I have done each Trifest event since that first one and usually do all three events.   My daughters have gotten involved the last few years and look forward to participating in the kids events each year. I get involved in helping in any cause I can which helps promote moving people forward and creative positive impact. This all happened because a smiling lady named Jo Rampy told me I could and encouraged me to make it happen.  

My Encouragement
Several reasons, whether it is the old friend and fishing buddy who had to give up his life long enjoyment of fishing because MS had gotten him to the point his balance was effected so that he could no longer be in a boat. Or the employee who has challenges each day with struggling with the different medications, side effects, and challenges that come with just managing the pain and priorities that come with the life changing event, or maybe it is the person who meets the challenges head on with a smile that says "you won't effect me, I will use this to encourage others". We all know people who fight the battle, and if there is something I can do with my time, energy, and even going through some suffering on a race day to help raise funds and awareness it's a small price to pay to be a piece of a very large puzzle.  

Please help me help others in the fight. Donate your time, your money, and your encouragement. They all make a difference and together we make life changing impact.

Dedication
To all those I know who fight the battle each day and to all those I don't or never will. To Jo Rampy for encouraging us all.

About the 2016 Team Endurance for MS
People with MS endure and encourage us onward, despite circumstances. It is our aim that we capture that spirit and share the encouragement forward through participating in endurance events. No matter what brings us to the starting line, we cheer each other to the finish line - in sport, in health and in life.

How You Can Help

• Donate. Encourage us on with whatever you feel called to give. Consider giving a $1 for every mile I'll complete.

• Share. Read our stories and tell your friends and family about our effort by posting them to Facebook and Twitter.

• Join my fundraiser. Click "create your own fundraiser" and join my fundraising team or create your own fundrace.  

Ironman triathlete, Ryan Dagley, is the 2016 Team Captain. I'm also fundracin' with 50+ other athletes dedicated to this effort! Together, we aim to raise over $30,000 for MS research. How can you use what you do to encourage the world of MS and beyond? Learn how you can get involved.

Know the Numbers

• MS is most commonly diagnosed in young adults.
• 80% of MS patients develop MS between the ages of 16 and 45.
• Women are more frequently diagnosed with MS by at least 2 to 1.
• MS is the leading cause of disability in young women and the second leading cause of disability in young men.
• About 350,000 people live with MS in the United States. 200 new patients are diagnosed, every week. If each person diagnosed has just one family member, friend or caregiver, that's 700,000 people impacted.

About MS
MS is a progressive and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body. The severity of the disease and its symptoms vary from person to person. The cause is unknown. There is no known cure--yet.

About the Rampy MS Research Foundation
We bring encouragement to the world of MS and beyond through the power of endurance sports, community and research. You can help. Join us and help change lives to save lives.

Swim. Bike. Run. Encourage!