I was out shooting the South Coast Triathlon in Seaford yesterday. The day was like most sporting events, except for one difference! Let me explain. Taking photographs at an event can be boring at times depending who you are contracted with for that day. Some event companies want you to shoot 10 000 pic’s on a marathon so you don’t have time to take quality pic’s, others have no limits and others expect miracles. Yesterday, was an unemployed day, so I could take my time when I wanted and just shoot what I wanted for the fun of it. This gave me a chance to see more of the real world at an event. All in all, it is very seldom that you are shooting an event and you notice a competitor who stands out from the thousands but, yesterday there was one competitor who really stood out in more ways than one. I don’t know him but believe me when I tell you this chap has guts, determination, willpower………….etc! Later I found his name to be Stephen Caudewell. Here is a picture of the man I now call “Inspirational Steve”.
Steve (number 220) took part in the classic event. He set off with his swim of 1500 meters, then the bike ride of 40 km’s and finally he ran a further 10 km’s to complete the event in 3 hours 49 minutes. At times I could see Steve really struggling but he would bite on his teeth and keep going. The determination was clearly evident from his facial expressions and occasionally one could see he was in pain but he just kept on going. Here is Steve heading to the start of the swimming.
Here are Steve’s competitors.
Now if you are as I am, a 105 kilogram overweight lazy bastard you will appreciate that there is no way that I would even attempt to do a Triathlon and expect to even finish the swim alone, never mind the rest. Here comes Steve at way larger than me and he competes in this event and finishes it. All of it!!
This is Steve cycling the 40 kilometres after the swim and not at a snail’s pace either. He cycled 1 hour 31 minutes. That’s 2.275 minutes a kilometre.
This fellow Steve, I was wondering, what is driving this man to put himself through this pain and agony? Why is he doing it? How did he start training? What is his aim? And as time went on in the day and I would take another photo of the chap, the more it came to me, why do I need to know? Would it make any difference? And then, I thought, actually “yes” it would, because people like me need motivation and I think there are thousands like me who always look for an excuse why they can’t do things to improve their wellbeing and health.
Here Steve continues on with his bike after around 30 kilometres have been completed.
So, is there an aspiring Journalist out there who thinks they can follow up on this piece and bring us the full facts behind Steve! You know, the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN,WHY and HOW.
Steve edging his way toward the finish with his run that lasted 1hour 36 minutes over 10 kilometres.
If this guy is out there and sees this, I take my hat off to you mate, you really inspire me and those who watched you participate yesterday, keep it up, we are behind you all the way. Like Leo Buscaglia once said “Only you can make the difference” and that he meant for each one of us and now Steve is showing us the way to fitness and wellbeing to enjoy longevity!
Inspirational Steve is on Facebook as STEVE CAUDWELL - send him your support!!
Here are a few of the other competitors in this event with more to view at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferdsphotography/sets/ .
