It was a summer of training for some Mary Free Bed staff and patients who teamed up for the fifth year to take on the Rhoades McKee Reeds Lake Triathlon.
“This is the biggest group we’ve had, and honestly it’s what got me out here: having that teamwork, that team effort, that support,” said physical therapist Lauren Jones.
Eight teams made up of Mary Free Bed clinicians, therapists and adaptive athletes tag-teamed the swimming, biking and running portions of the race, while five other individuals completed the entire triathlon solo.
Mary Free Bed staff members across disciplines, from occupational therapy to Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics, competed together. “It’s not just one team at the hospital; it’s all of us collaborating together and coming together for this race,” Lauren said.
Jones was able to train alongside two of her patients, Stacie Carr and Liz Pardue, making this race extra special. Stacie and Liz competed in the biking and running portion of the triathlon, incorporating the skills Jones helped them build throughout physical therapy, like balance and coordination.
“To see them one, have the ability to do that and work their butt off to be able to get there and do that and just that I get to support them and be part of it is even better,” Lauren reflected.
Rising to New Challenges
The triathlon was Liz’s first race post-osseointegration.
“I love that when (Lauren) pushes us, we also get to push her back to do things like this with us,” Liz laughed. “Mary Free Bed is such an inclusive community and they’re so supportive and welcoming, and they just want everybody to be their best selves.”
The race was also a new experience for Stacie, who is newer to running.
“I’ve done a few 5Ks, but I only started running in January. It’s been quite a journey in a very short amount of time,” Stacie told WZZM following the race. “This was my first every-ability race where the hills are different, a lot of turns, but the crowd is great. Knowing I was on a relay team, I was really trying to hold up my end of the deal.”
Mike Huber has participated in the full triathlon solo for several years. His passion for sports remained following losing his leg in a motorcycle crash. Throughout the triathlon, he utilized three different prosthetic limbs, all custom-built for him by the Mary Free Bed orthotics, prosthetics & bionics department.
“I’m excited to come out here; to be able to do this and to be on the Mary Free Bed team is great, too. They’ve been wonderful in creating all my prosthetics for me to do this. It’s three disciplines, and I have three legs from them,” Mike said.
The growth in participants and staff year over year reflects the care that extends far beyond the hospital walls.
“We’re going to be right beside you every step of the way, from your first steps with your prosthesis, to your first steps after an accident, to getting you achieving those goals,” said Lyndzie Motcheck, certified prosthetist-orthotist at Mary Free Bed. Lyndzie explained that several community members were interested in competing a triathlon. Her answer? An immediate yes. “We’ll make it happen. It’s just showing up for our people and letting them do all the things that they wanted to do.”
As Lyndzie has seen over the years, achievements like these are about much more than PR; they’re about the power of community.
MEDIA COVERAGE:
- Watch WZZM 13’s pre-race story with Mike and race-day story with Lyndzie and Stacie
- Hear the story from WOOD-TV8 featuring Mike
- Read about the race from WMMT
