When we train for a big event like an Ironman or similar we sometimes forget the world around us. But sometimes the world catches up with us when we least expect it, and that was especially true for 2 athletes who raced in this weekend’s Ironman Florida in Panama City Beach.

Wim Van de Wielle is a 31-year old age grouper from Zele, Belgium who recently finished 15th overall at the Frankfurter Sparkasse Ironman in Frankfurt, Germany and second in his age group behind fellow German Stefan Werner in a time of 8:44:45. Two days ago in Florida he finished 13th overall and 1st in M30-34. His fantastic season was bitter sweet though because of a very tragic incident a couple months back.

On August 12th of this year Van de Wielle lost his wife when a speeding drunk driver who lost control of his car struck her. Kristel Van de Wielle worked as a nurse in the Sint-Blasius hospital in Dendermonde and was riding her mountain bike to work on a bike path when a fast and furious styled Fiat 500 hit her and dragged her about 50 meters. Kristel who was wearing a fluorescent vest was dead on impact and the driver fled the scene with his bashed-in windshield. The tragedy touched almost everybody in Belgium, but was especially felt in the tight knit triathlon community. Wim, a triathlon coach, was now left alone to take care of his 10-month old daughter Tess. He decided to continue training for Ironman Florida, mostly at home on the trainer, since he couldn't leave his daughter alone. Three months later he was in Florida clutching and kissing the picture of his wife Kristel as he crossed the line in 8:49:15. It does seem though that he would gladly have finished in 16:49:15 if he could have received one more hug from Kristel in exchange.

45-year old Chris Frank from Chattanooga, TN has been trying to qualify for Hawaii many years now and has come close a few times including missing a roll-down call at the Chicago Triathlon several years ago. He took a few years off from triathlon and has recently returned to the sport with a new found energy and passion.

He had prepared very well for Florida and his race was going well. Exiting the water in 1:05 wasn’t spectacular but was a nice foundation for the upcoming bike segment. Frank who has gotten stronger and stronger on the bike motored to a 4:43:07 bike split and despite not running his best he finished in 9:36:08, a time that would qualified him for Kona every year in Florida but this time. 7 slots were available and he had was 9th place in his age group. Only one spot rolled down, in this case to the German guy who had caught him just before the finish line. Bummer.

Meanwhile though earlier in the day Frank’s stepfather (who was like a father to him) died back home in Chattanooga while he was racing. His mother was in Panama City Beach to cheer for her son when she received the call no one wants to receive. As she was watching her son she got the news that her husband had died back at home while mowing the lawn. Despite this tragic news, the mother stayed and continued cheering on her son until he finished his race with a personal best time. Frank barely had a chance to enjoy his fantastic finish when he finally learned what happened earlier in the day. There would be no trip to Kona this year, but more importantly there would be no call back home to share the joy.