We live in a myopic society that most often defines winning as coming in first, defeating all challengers, or beating the clock.  In its relatively short history, triathlon has managed to dispel that notion more than most sports.  Triathlon is one endeavor where just finishing can create winners.  Take it a step further.  What if the concept of merely participating seemed unthinkable? 

Picture yourself training week after week, year after year.  There you are swimming untold yards, biking road and trail, winning age-group awards in weekend multisport competitions, and from all outward appearances, you are the picture of health.  Then imagine you are told you require immediate open heart surgery.  How do you react?  What do you feel?  Long-time local multisport enthusiast Wayne Huckshold experienced just that.  We had a chance to sit down and chat about life and sport.

SBRStL -  Wayne, tell us a bit about your athletic background and how you got involved in multisport.

Wayne -  "I ran track and cross country,  played football and soccer in high school.  I ran one semester of track at SMSU then transferred to Mizzou and played rugby.  In college I’d bike to campus and either run or swim in the afternoon, then bike home.  I was cross-training before anyone knew what it was.  I moved to Lake St. Louis in 1985, met some people that were training for the LSL Triathlon and did my first triathlon in 1986."

SBRStL -  For more than a decade I’ve raced with and against you.  In that time did you have any suspicion that you were in anything but the best of health?

Wayne -  "I felt great up until the 2001 season.  I had an average year of racing usually placing in my age-group but was having shortness of breath when I’d do hard running.... I also ignored a family history of CHD and the fact that I had borderline hypertension."

SBRStL -  What were the circumstances that led to your diagnosis?

Wayne -  "My shortness of breath became worse in the Spring of 2002.  I thought I might have exercise-induced asthma, so I went to my Doc.  After an asthma test, a treadmill stress test and a cardiac catherization, all within a 2 week period, they found that I had 3 blockages @ 80-85%."

SBRStL -  It took all of us who knew you greatly by surprise to learn what you went through.  While we whine about the occasional aches and pains that inhibit our training and racing, I can only imagine how you must have felt.  Was it an epiphany of sorts?

Wayne -  "Boy, I’d like to say that it was, but actually all I could think about was doing whatever had to be done so I could get back to training and racing again.  It did make me realize how much for granted I took my abilities and fitness level."

SBRStL -  Though not exactly like going to the dentist to get a cavity filled, the procedure has become increasingly commonplace.  Still, it is invasive in the extreme and I’m certain you had some trepidation.  Where did you find your strength?

Wayne - "I think I was pretty much in denial as to what was happening and the amount of time it would take to recover.  I also had some buddies with me that night that I made the decision to have the by-pass surgery.  Having a fantastic support group of friends really helped me through all of this."

SBRStL -  For me, one of the highlights of 2003 was seeing you at the South County Triathlon, simply being a part of the sport again.  There was something pure about seeing you out there just for the love of the sport.

Wayne -  "I’m not sure if it was purity or stupidity but I have to thank my support group of friends again, especially John and Laura Conners  who threw  a big ol’ party after the race."

SBRStL -  I know the road to recovery will be a slow, steady one.  What kind of rehabilitation program has been recommended?

Wayne -  "My GP and Cardiologist recommend that I do moderate training for up to 2 years.  I’ll have to admit some of my training and racing hasn’t been very moderate."

SBRStL -  Wayne, you’ve been a long-time masters swim coach, so SBRStL is compelled to pose a swim question.  If you had to narrow a good freestyle stroke down to a few key elements, what would you emphasize?

Wayne - "I usually tell  triathletes to relax, relax, relax in the water.  Find and work with a good coach and wear a wetsuit  whenever you can."

SBRStL -  I consider you one of the local multisport veterans who has witnessed the ebb and flow of triathlon interest over the years.  What do you make of the current multisport madness that has triathlon participation at an all time high? 

Wayne -  "Having the sport in the 2000 Olympics really got people interested. Also, the availability of good coaching and improvements in sport’s nutrition and racing and training equipment has allowed Joe Average  the ability to train and race a wide spectrum of triathlons."

SBRStL -  Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for us.  I hope this conversation serves as an inspiration to readers who see the no-quit attitude you’ve displayed.

 Wayne - "Thanks to SBRStL for a great website."