Help support David's Ironman Dream!!

The day the dream started was actually Feb 15, 2005.. I was fat, sick, and a few years earlier, had a minor heart attack. The night before, I had a major panic attack, and awoke on the floor.. I knew I had to do something or die.

The next morning I woke at 4 AM and I went to the local YMCA and I swam 6 laps.. it was an indoor pool, and it was 35 degrees outside.. I had 2 other older gentleman as my company.. I though I was going to die. An older man with an ARMY hat on, looked at me and told me that it gets easier.. and over a few months, it did.

Since that day, I have always wanted to swim, bike, and run an Ironman. I have watched others fufill their dreams, and I secretly wish that I someday will do the same thing... all the whle plugging away at my swimming, and riding an old Schwinn bike around Conroe, Texas. I didn't start running until later when I met my wife, and former High School sweetheart, Holly.

You know, for 30 plus years, I have done the "safe" thing.. Mr Conservative.. afraid to take a chance. I have lived my whole life like that.. always settling on the safe thing.

Especially after the trauna I suffered in the Military, and the subsequent counseling I recieved.. I became more and more.. "safe", and "guarded'.

I became the person I never wanted to be, and I knew my life was passing me by. Then came that night I woke up on the floor.. 220 pounds, shaking, and I looked at myself in the mirror and knew I was cheating the man looking back at me.

People have always told me that I can't.. and I believed it.. still do now and then.. but there is something inside of me that knows time is running out on my dream.. and I have to try, at least try once.

I am not an elite athlete, I am 54 year old blue-collar working class man with a wife ,family, and grandkids. I am a Navy Veteran, and support Veteran causes like Team RWB, and I volunteer when I can.

I also suffer from PTSD, and depression.. sometimes it is very debilitating, and really causes problems in my life.. but it has never stopped me. In fact, I want to use the Ironman as a springboard for awareness for people who not only suffer from PTSD from an event during their Military Career, but also ALL people that suffer from this terrible affliction... people from ALL walks of life.. it touches not only the ones suffering, but their loved ones as well. I know this all to well.

Being a working class guy, I don't make the big bucks.. I joined the military right after High School, and went into my shell shortly after returning from overseas. My wife and I are boith VERY hard workers, we both coach the local running group where we live.. we pay the bills, and I drive an old van that meets my needs. I have never been one to live beyond my needs.

I have a regular road bike, and while I am thankful for that, I really need an upgrade to a endurance Road Bike that will let me bike over a 100 miles in some comfort. I am not looking to win the Ironman..lol.. I just want to finish. The bike I have now really needs to be replaced... I simply cannot afford it, and I am not to proud to say that.

Also I am looking for any sponsor that would like to help me in my journey to IMTX 2015.. again, I am not an elite athlete, but you can be assured I will do my best, and finish strong.

I am just a regular guy just wanting to something extrordinary, if only just once... to not be the "safe" guy for once, and I want to bring attention to ALL people who suffer from PTSD and depression.

We all have a journey in life, and we all are called to extraordinary things. I have been very lucky to have seen and done many things, both in my Military  as well as my personal life. I have also seen things I would not wish on my worst enemy. I will use this money for its intended purpose.. thats it.

Anyway, thanks for taking time to read this, and thank you for your support