Frank Lieberman - Part 2

If you are an equestrian, you would more than likely know about the Tevis Cup.  If you were an ultra endurance runner, you would be familiar with the Western states Run.  If you knew about both endurance riding, and an ultra running, you might be knowledgeable about Ride & Tie.  Similarities in each of these events are as follows: all take place on mountain trails and are 100 miles in distance; each event has about a 50% completion rate; all three were created within the last 60 years; and they are known as the grandfathers of their sport. Each of these events has competitor entry criteria, and each has a completion time cut off, and each is too completed within one day.  Both Ride & Tie and the Tevis Cup have a 24-hour time limit, while the Western States Endurance Run has a 30 -hour cut- off.

It is likely that most people do not know about these three extreme amateur sports or the other unique sport activities found in this book.  As you read these chapters you will discover what drives the men and women who compete in these difficult sports known as the Dipsea and the Hawaiian Ironman, details about the sports themselves, and about the history of the competitions. The water sports of outrigger canoe paddling, rowing, and sculling round out the list of extreme competitions.

I believe the individuals in this book, all ranging in age from 65 to 85 are interesting, inspiring, compassionate, driven, and disciplined people.  Yes, they had accomplished incredible feats in their senior years, but they are also mortals faced with the typical challenges we all confront in life-financial woes, family issues, divorce, health problems, and even death.  As life deals out these cards, sometimes it is those challenges that cause people to push themselves, ultimately escalating to ultra sports.

As I have experienced from writing this book, I hope they you will also identify and draw strength from these inspirational stories.  I encourage you to use the information to your advantage, and let these role models assist you in establishing a roadmap for developing meaning and passion in your life.  It is never too late to begin.

To be continued: