2007 Escpape From Alcatraz Triathlon

On June 3rd, I was blessed to be able to race in the Escape from

Alcatraz triathlon, in San Francisco. I raced with a group of my fellow

"Competitors for Christ" from Team FCA Endurance. It was a weekend

filled with fellowship, ministry, and the craziest triathlon I have ever

done!

I had the opportunity to meet 7 other triathletes from across the

country, who all have a common desire to glorify God through the sport

of triathlon. We also have the common goal of ministering to the

endurance sports world, and I would say we accomplished both objectives.

We took turns staffing an FCA Endurance booth at the expo on Saturday

and Sunday, we held a prayer service on Saturday night, and Chris

Anderson, Executive Director of FCA Endurance led all 2000 triathletes

in prayer moments before jumping off the boat into the chilly 57 degree

water of the San Francisco Bay. We received positive comments from a

number of people who visited our expo booth, and there was genuine

excitement from a number of competitors who were thrilled to find a

group of triathletes being bold about their faith. We are all praying

that the contacts we made will help to bring glory to God in the future.

God also showed up big time on Sunday during the race, and I needed him.

There is nothing that can prepare you for jumping off of a boat into the

San Francisco bay at 7am on a chilly morning. The good news is that the

adrenaline was pumping so hard that I barely even noticed the 57 degree

water. The bad news is that at one point the water was so choppy that I

thought I was going to get seasick while swimming. As I rolled over

onto my back in a panic, I caught a few deep breaths and stared straight

into heaven, and wouldn't you know, another answered prayer was sent my

way. My stomach settled and I was able to complete the 1.5 mile swim in

37 minutes, which was about 10 to 12 minutes faster than I had planned.

Still numb from the cold, I began the hilly 18 mile bike course.

Feeling a bit more comfortable on the bike, I prayed for safety and the

ability to give an effort that would glorify HIM. Things went well

through mile 12, where I slowed down to pass through a horrific bike

crash involving at least 3 other competitors and immediately began

praying for their safety. I was able to avoid all issues on the bike,

and finished in just over an hour, which for me was a quite an effort.

I began the 8 mile run continually praying that I would have discipline

to monitor my effort so that I did not run out of energy, knowing that

the run was going to be incredibly challenging. My only goal was to

give an effort that would glorify God, and I had to continually distract

myself from thinking about meeting or exceeding certain time goals, or

beating other competitors. Hebrews 12 tells us to run with endurance

the race set out for us, keeping our eyes solely on Jesus, and that is

exactly what I wanted to do. I was able to stay focused on going as

fast as possible, and letting the outcome fall into God's hands. It

worked. I finished in 2 hours and 53 minutes, well ahead of what I had

expected. More importantly I went as hard as I could, and I did it all

wearing an FCA jersey that clearly showed everyone at the race my faith

in Christ.

This experience confirmed for me a number of things. First, I feel

blessed to be able to compete in Triathlons, and I feel triathlon, and

FCA are definitely vehicles I am called to use to minister to other

athletes. Second, it confirmed that I feel much better competing for

Christ, than I do when I compete for myself. Glorifying God, not

myself, is the mission from now on. Third, it confirmed that being a

husband and a father is more important than triathlon. I definitely had

some guilt knowing my wife was home with our two young daughters. God

was very clear with me about that. So the mission continues, to try to

figure out how to best use my time in a way that honors the missions God

has prepared for me as a husband, a father, and then as a triathlete

with the opportunity for the coolest ministry ever!

God Bless.

Jay Fetterman

"Ironman Lake Placid 2006--What a weekend God had in store for me!
by Jay Fetterman

My Ironman journey and my faith started at the same time.  When I decided to do Ironman Florida in 2004, I did it to see if I could push myself to finish.  Along the way, I learned I needed more than just myself to get
across the finish line, and to compete in life.  The help I needed came from above, and so started my passion for completing Ironman, and my passion for learning more about my Christian faith.
 
When I decided to do Ironman Lake Placid 2006, I really wanted to do it for the right reasons.  For me, that meant being able to use the gifts God gave me to help others, and that is why I decided to take part in the “Janus
Charity Challenge” and raise money for FCA as part of this Ironman experience.  I had worked on a few charity campaigns for work in the past, but never had I taken on a fundraising task that was driven by my own desire
to help. 

My faith had been growing over the past year and a half, I loved to do Ironman, and if I could bring the two together it could only increase the value of the experience.  That is how this all started, and by adding
that we raised over $5,500 for FCA, and that I completed the Ironman in just under 13.5 hours, I could easily end the story here and call it a successful weekend.  But there is so much more.

From the time that I committed to Ironman Lake Placid, I had been praying for God to take over the event.  I prayed that he would oversee everything from training, to the fundraising, to the completion of the event, and He delivered.  My wife has been very supportive about Ironman and my growing faith, but my parents were not really aware of my spiritual journey, and in the back of my mind I hoped that raising money for FCA would bring to light my faith, and that I could be given the courage to be more public about my commitment to Jesus. 

I knew that having FCA Director Randy Chambers and his wife Melissa with me in Lake Placid would be a big boost, as they are very spiritual people who serve as great role models to me and my family.  I knew that having Randy around during Ironman meant that we would be sharing our faith, and praying, and this would be a great way for my wife, daughter, and parents, as well as my sister in law and her family to see my faith in the open, as I felt like a “closet Christian” up to that point.

When Randy and his wife arrived on Friday, everything was going according to plan.  However, it was probably the last thing that went according to plan, my plan at least.  The rest of the week, and the days after Ironman could not have been planned by me, and clearly were the sign of divine intervention in my life.
 
On Friday afternoon, Randy came with me while I did a quick swim workout.  This was a blessing, because my wife was taking a much needed nap with our 18 month old daughter, Emma, and without someone with me I would not have gone to swim.  We discussed my faith, my baptism as a child, and my private acceptance of Christ in my life in April of 2005.

We agreed that it would be the right thing for me to make a public commitment of my faith because Jesus did the same for us.  We decided that we would attend a church service and baptism in Lake Placid the night before the race.  What a way to show my faith!  My parents never expected me to invite them to a church service before the event, and they never would have imagined I was going to make a public commitment to follow Christ.

Randy and Melissa told me how God would work in my life after stepping out for Him, and they were right.  I was going to need every ounce of God with me on during Sunday’s race!  The service went well, and hopefully it made an impression on the hearts of my family.  I believe it did. It was a great night filled with prayer and faith, and although I hadn’t originally planned on this event, it was exactly what I had been hoping for.

I was blessed by so many examples of God working at Ironman, specifically with my support crew.  My wife, Melonie, Randy and Melissa, had such attitudes of service throughout the event. More than anyone, my wife deserves my thanks for her support.  For the past year, she selflessly let me train for hours on weekends, and twice on most days during the week.  She is supportive of my growing faith, and without her love, support, and encouragement, this event never could have unfolded the way it did.  I believe God brought us together, and I thank her for the example she sets, and for letting me be who I am.  I owe her more than anyone can imagine.

Randy and Melissa wanted to carry my bags, and do anything they could to help me.  I can never repay them for this.  Their attitude was a great example for everyone.  Sunday morning came early, and at 4:50 a.m., Randy and Melissa met me near the starting area, and I took care of all the pre-race business that needed to happen.  Randy and I shared a great prayer shortly before 7 a.m., and there were hugs for everyone else and a kiss for Mel and Emma.  Then it was just me and God, for the next 140.6 miles.
 
The swim went relatively well.  My goal was to take it easy on the swim, and save much needed energy for later in the race.  I was able to accomplish this, and exited the 2.4 mile swim in 1 hour and 20 minutes.  It wasn’t a
great time, but it accomplished the objective of getting me to the bike with most of my energy still intact.
 
The bike course was a perfect metaphor for life, up and down.  The course seemingly started with a 9 mile downhill stretch in which you reached speeds of up to 50 miles an hour with out even pedaling.  It was 65 degrees and raining slightly, making conditions dangerous.  I was so cold I could barely feel my toes. 

My plan was to take it easy on the first lap of the bike course, again trying to conserve energy for later in the race.  My other goal was to take in approximately 1300 calories in the first 56 miles.  I accomplished both of these goals, but the last 8 miles of the first loop were uphill, and it was tough.  Needless to say, I made it through the first loop in decent shape.  Even the weather cleared up and it became a bit warmer, all of which helped.
 
The 2nd loop of the bike course brought with it the same goals as the first.  Relax, take in calories to be used on the run, and conserve energy for the last 8 mile uphill part of the course, and then for the run.  Well, for some
reason I didn’t eat as much as I should have.  I don’t know why, but I just didn’t force myself to eat.  I finished the bike in a good time of 6.5 hours, but I was running a calorie deficit that would hurt me on the run.
As I put on my running shoes I new it was going to be a tough marathon because of the calorie situation, and I had doubted my run training all week.
 
I emerged from the transition tent and felt a bit wobbly.  I took in some fluids and walked for a bit.  Finally after a minute or so I began to jog. That lasted all the way to mile 2, at which point I became light headed, hungry, thirsty, and pretty much desperate.  I thought I was going to pass out.  Although I had been praying all day, I started now like never before. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” played over and
over in my head. 

Only a day before Randy and I were talking with a gentleman who quoted Philippians 4:13.  How did he know I would need it so badly 24 hours later?  I kept thinking about the pain and suffering of Jesus, and what he endured for me.  It was only by the grace of God that I made it from aid station to aid station, and 5 hours later, I crossed the finish line.
 
Within minutes of finishing I found my family.  My mother suggested I go to the medical tent.  It sounded like a good idea.  I felt like I could puke and pass out all at the same time.  They got me to a makeshift stretcher and
took all my vital signs.  Everything was OK, but not great.  My wife joined me in the med tent, and after 30minutes and a cup of chicken broth, I was given clearance to leave the medical tent.  I proceeded to the massage tent, knowing the value of a good massage after an Ironman.  While waiting in line for my massage, I passed out. 

Luckily, a gentleman working in the massage tent caught me quickly, and he and another man transported me back to the medical tent.  Two hours and an I-V later (three and a half hours total in the medical tent), I was ready to head to the hotel.  My spirits had improved and I was back to normal.

God even amazed us with another miracle.  Since Randy and Melissa arrived so early prior to the race, they were able to secure a parking space about 300 yards from the medical tent at a convenience store, unknowingly it would be the perfect spot to pick me up 19 hours later. 

Randy said he questioned throughout the day why they parked there and concluded that they would not be able to leave Lake Placid for their lodging (25 minutes away) until the last marathoner passed the store around midnight.  God’s perfect plan allowed the Chambers to have the only car in the parking lot at the store because He knew I would need transportation after the race.  Security allowed Randy to drive across the marathon course because of my condition.  God knows the plans he has for us even in the little details.
 
In retrospect, I did not finish the Ironman, God did it for me.  He carried my body through 26.2 miles of the marathon, and then allowed me to pass out.  I very easily could have passed out at mile 10 or 20 of the run, but He didn’t let it happen.   It was my first real test after my public commitment to Christ more than 24 hours earlier.  I was in trouble, I needed help, and I turned to my faith for that help, and my faith delivered me.  What a great example for me to learn so quickly.
 
My goal was to do this Ironman for the glory of God, and to raise money for FCA.  It’s not about me.  I feel such passion towards this subject that it has caused me to examine my life in greater detail.  I want God to use me to make a difference, and to inspire others to do the same.  I believe God has given me the ability to do Ironman, and I want to use that gift to inspire other people to push themselves, either physically or spiritually.  Whether that happens with a full time career in sports ministry or not, only God can answer.
 
I do however know first hand the value that faith can play in a person’s life, and how it played into my life during Ironman weekend.  Inevitably, we will all reach a point in the marathon of life when we feel like passing
out, and to finish, we need intervention.  I was blessed to be able to have a great support team with me, and to be able to turn to my faith.  I pray that everyone who hears this story takes advantage of their opportunity to do the same.  God Bless."