State of The Kyle Pease Foundation - COVID19

These are interesting times for us all.  Local businesses, large businesses and non-profits like us. We've seen our own inboxes and we know that many are already in need.  We think about this in terms of racing, what we all experience when we are out on course together.  There are moments for us all when we aren't sure if we can keep going, if we want to keep going or why we should even keep going.  Then someone offers an encouraging word, a cheer from afar or the energy is just felt from somewhere else.

One of our favorite moments from the Ironman World Championship occurred far after we had crossed the finish line.  It was after we were home and we started hearing stories of how people saw us finish.  Some stayed up until 3:30 in the morning when we crossed the finish line on the eastern seaboard.  Some set alarms and others just slept and woke up to see what social media had to offer.  Whatever it was we felt that energy, truly felt it.  Late in the run were some of the darkest moments we've had in racing.  We both wanted to quit...we both weren't sure if we could keep going or what it was all for.  It goes beyond that, the suffering was worth it, the moments we struggled made the finish line that much better.  Coming home to hear how people digested those moments were some of the special moments that we got to relive again.

So as we all figure out our new normal, know that we at KPF are in a good spot today.  We are incredibly thankful to our generous donors and our leadership which have us in a position to continue on until we can race again.  So we aren't deep on the run course right now looking for your energy, but others are.  We really miss racing, we really miss the social interaction, and yes we even miss suffering on the back end of 140.6 miles of racing.  There are some though that need our energy, need YOUR energy.  So we encourage you as you stay home and spend a little less on going out, or that latte you got every Friday, to spend a little more on those in need.  Perhaps it's the local food bank or another non profit.  Perhaps it's the non profit you haven't even thought of.  Just imagine them being towards the end of their race and how positive that energy will feel when they see that small gift from you.

The energy we felt from everyone cheering from afar is something we have learned from many of our past races.  It's important, it matters, it makes those steps a tad easier.  Think about how you can make someone else's steps a little bit easier during these troubling times.

We are proud to call on your support, thankful for all you've allowed us to do and we look forward to doing it all again...soon! Together WE Wheel....AGAIN.

Update to KPeasey Athletes & Families - COVID-19

Dear KPF Family:

As the global concern around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) increases we wanted to reach out to you with an update on what The Kyle Pease Foundation is doing to prepare. 

All volunteers and athletes who have recently traveled to China, Italy, South Korea and Iran are asked to notify us immediately. If you have recently traveled to an impacted country we will ask that you refrain from participating in an event with us for a minimum of two weeks. If you have had prolonged exposure to people who have recently returned from international travel to an impacted country, we ask that you notify us. 

Please do not plan to attend an event with KPF if you are sick. If you have a fever of 100.4 or greater you will need to be fever-free for 24-hours without the use of fever reducing medications in order to race. We are asking that you exercise caution and good judgement around your health and the health of those around you.  If you have any signs of illness including fever, cough, or trouble breathing please contact us and let us know that you are not able to attend the event. 

Race chairs are cleaned post-race and will be thoroughly disinfected prior to next usage. While it is not believed that Covid-19 can be transmitted through sweat we will take extra precautions in cleaning all race equipment. 

The CDC recommends that you practice infection control like you would for any other virus. This includes:

·       Staying home when you have a fever of 100.4 or greater and not returning to work until you are fever-free for 24-hours without the use of fever reducing medication

·       Avoid touching your eye, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

·       Avoid close contact with people who are sick

·       Cover you sneeze with a tissue and throw it away immediately, cough into your elbow, not your hands

·       Wash your hands for at least 20-seconds following the guidelines in the handwashing technique video. If soap is not available use hand sanitizer (70% or higher alcohol content)

·       Clean and disinfect high touch areas and frequently touched objects

 The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 unless caring for someone with COVID-19.

We encourage you to get the most accurate, up-to-date information from the Centers for Disease Control. While there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Georgia, the CDC believes that the risk to the general public remains low. We will continue to monitor the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health’s recommendations. As new information emerges, we will continue to assess the risks and make all necessary adjustments. 

If you are concerned about your health, or the health of those around you please let us know. Our athletes well-being is of utmost importance and we understand if you cannot make a race.

The Publix Half Exceeds KPeasey's Wildest Dreams

Several years ago when we wrote our first children’s book titled “Where There’s a Wheel, There’s a Way”, I started it off with the following stanza: “Never in my wildest dreams, though believing that I can. Did I think I’d hear the announcer say, Kyle Pease, You’re an Ironman.”

Well just as I thought that that was a wild dream, I am dreaming wild again because never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that the Kyle Pease Foundation would grow and grow and grow to a point that we would fill up a ball room in a major Atlanta hotel.  But it happened, when 64 athletes and over 200 volunteers came together to support inclusion and to show what is truly possible last weekend prior to the Publix Half Marathon..

What made the weekend doubly special for our home city of Atlanta was the fact that we also played host to the US Olympic marathon trials on Saturday. This brought more than 20,000 guests to our fair city allowing onlookers to have a front row seat to Olympic history while also witnessing KPeasey history the following day. Many who watched the Olympic trials then lined the streets of Atlanta and watched our athletes motoring 13.1 miles around The Big Peach.

From the large crowd that filled the banquet hall and the very Inspiring speeches by Ryan Freesemann and Bryce Wooten. to the the race itself, there was no shortage of inspirational moments. After watching all the beautiful faces I was so overwhelmed with emotions and so proud of everything that we accomplished as a foundation that the race itself was simply the icing on the cake. It goes to show you together we wheel and together we are showing the world what inclusion is all about. 

A special thank you to the Atlanta Track Club for again making our involvement in this race one of their high priorities. We feel so incredibly grateful to the ATC for helping us create such an amazing race for our athletes and volunteers. Also a huge hats of to Brent and to Shawn Gray, our new Race Operations Director, and to Kevin Enners and Lisa Switzer for their amazing work in pulling the event together.

See our full photo album of the Publix Race

KPF Volunteers Keep the Wheels Turning for Inclusion!

The KPF Volunteer Experience
This race isn’t about me, it’s about the person in front of me.

KPF volunteers love what they do, click here to learn more about their experiences: 

On Kyle and Brent:

I met Kyle and Brent on my first race at the Publix Half Marathon. I have interacted with them since and every single time there is always a positive remark made about how thankful they are for me. This is so special because they see how hard I work and try for them and they acknowledge it and support me, always.

A fond memory is of riding around with Kyle at Augusta 70.3 to cheer on Justin and Justin. The best part was seeing how invested Kyle was in their success and even more so in the way he lifted them up even upon not completing the race.  He reminded them of the reason and that there was lots of inclusion shared that day 

I was so impressed with their commitment to the community. Brent and Kyle are inspirational beyond their physical feats because they inspire ordinary people to be change agents one race at a time.  

On being a KPF volunteer for Inclusion

Knowing that I may never be the fastest out there but that even I can bring so much joy and cheer to someone else’s life.  

What motivates me to volunteer?  All the great people connected to this organization. 

Endorphins and the social aspect of it is so fun too!

It just feels good to do things for other people. Whether they have special needs or not. 

On racing for Inclusion:

At the start line I am stressing about being good enough, it is a hard place for me to be but I am looking down and remembering that this race is not about me, it is about the person in front of me.  

It's all about having a good time and having fun

I get super chatty with my athlete and my push assist teammates because I want everyone to have a great time.

I do not ever look at my watch and run only by feel. I remember the crowds and people that are cheering me on. They have so much belief in me.

It is so encouraging when others on the course tell you their stories and are excited to learn more about the in chair athlete as a person and competitor, no different from any one else out there.

To learn more about volunteering for Kyle Pease Foundation, email Kevin Enners, KPF Communications to kevin@kylepeasefoundation.org or click on the contact page at Kyle Pease Foundation https://www.kylepeasefoundation.org/#contact-1

The Kyle Pease Foundation

The experience is so much more than racing!