E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSView more videos at: http://nbcbayarea.com.
When Jeff Schmidt completed the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii earlier this fall, crossing that finish line after nearly 18 hours on the course meant more than just the end of a race. It signified a positive highlight in a long physical and emotional battle the San Jose, Calif., resident has faced for over a decade.
"It was exciting, because it's a dream," Schmidt told NBCBayArea.com's Garvin Thomas.
Fifteen years ago, Schmidt was a star player on his Missouri high school soccer team — a young man dreaming of a college career and then going pro. During the first playoff game of his senior year, he had just finished saving a goal, when another player hit the side of his shin as his leg was in the air.
At that moment, Schmidt's life changed forever.
"I knew instantly my leg was [broken]," Schmidt said. His leg ended up being set and cast in the wrong way, which caused permanent damage. That led to 10 years of constant pain, failed surgeries and not being able to walk very far.
Schmidt faced depression and thoughts of suicide.
"We didn't know how to handle that kind of stress," his wife, Jenny, told NBCBayArea.com. "It ... caused medical issues, financial issues, emotional issues. It was tough. We went through a lot of really, really hard times."
Eventually in 2004, it was suggested that Schmidt should have his lower leg amputated. But the suggestion made him mad.
"I felt like I had fought so hard to keep that foot and ankle that to suggest getting rid of it, to me was like giving up." Schmidt said.
But three years after that suggestion, he went through with the amputation.
"If something in your life is causing you nothing but anguish, and you can get rid of it, what do you do? You get rid of it," he said.
KNTV
Jeff Schmidt bicycles near his home in San Jose, Calif.
A second chance
At wife Jenny's suggestion, Schmidt, who now has a prosthetic leg, soon began training for triathlons like she was.
That brings the story back to 2012 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter
On the day of the triathlon, Oct. 13, Schmidt felt good going in to the race, but challenges eventually arose: The run portion turned into a walk for him.
"I don't like to give up," Schmidt told NBCBayArea.com. "It's not something that is really in me to do."
Then, just four miles from the end, race officials told him he would not make the finish line before the course officially closed at midnight. But that didn't stop Schmidt.
"I had come too far not to finish," he said.
Watch the Top Videos on NBCNews.com
Nearly 18 hours after the race began, and half an hour past midnight, Schmidt was the last Ironman still going.
But he crossed the finish line, last, to cheers.
"We were in awe, really," said Tal Johnson, president and COO of Berkeley, Calif., race sponsor GU Energy Labs. "All of us. You know -- grown men, experienced athletes who were moved to the point of tears."
"Going through everything with my leg and the amputation, and to be able to come and finish at Kona ... to me it's one of the highlights of my life," Schmidt said.
NBC Bay Area's Garvin Thomas contributed to this story. The 2012 Ironman World Championship was telecast by NBC Sports on Oct. 27. Next year's Ironman in Kailua-Kona takes place on Oct. 12, 2013.
An earlier version of this report misspelled the name of GU Energy Labs.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Missouri Powerball jackpot winners revealed: 'We’re still stunned by what’s happened'
- Mystery man claims winning Powerball ticket ... in Maryland?
- For Salvation Army, there's gold in them thar kettles
- Dozens hospitalized after train derails near Philadelphia, spilling hazardous chemical
- Video: Sinkhole the size of four football fields stops traffic in Ohio
Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
Wonderful story! Congratulations Jeff!
Congrats, man. An Ironman is an Ironman. My girlfriend is a below knee amputee, and she's completed three Ironmans to date, including Hawaii. I just completed my first, and you have our sincerest well wishes. Keep at it, don't ever give up. It's a test of spirit, but the fact that you were out there at all means you passed that test with flying colors. The race itself was just the icing on the cake.
The sad thing is he doesn't get a finishers medal even though he went the full distance. I know, I went the full distance but crossed the finish 3 minutes and 15 seconds after the official end time. Official results have me as DNF & they didn't give me a medal. I wouldn't be Ironman if you could take as long as you need, but the fact that I was late by just 3 minutes still bugs me to this day.
Anyway, point being it's a hard event even for people with all their limbs, so I know this was a great achievement for him. He should be very proud he made it the full distance.
Ah.. I got 2 IMan Finisher medals and they don't mean a thing (I don't even know where they are) so don't be so hard on yourself. Crossing that finish line is all that matters and you and Jeff are both to be commended.
Nice job, Jeff. Really proud of you for making the decision to lose the leg. A lot of people would have let fear stand in the way of that decision but you showed that facing and conquering fear is the road to happiness and success. Well done.
When you have someone that has been through what Jeff has, and somebody on the comittee that is in charge can't even stay to award a medal, that is sad. I know, to some they mean nothing. But if I was on the comittee and someone like this was willing to participate, ending time or not, someone should arrange to keep the race open until everyone crosses, whether it's 30 minutes or 3 days later. I would have waited up and kept the medal table/finishing line open at all cost.
Congratulations to him and to anyone who participates that has challenges. I am a Paramedic and followed our local 5K a couple years back. Three older ladies participated, and were far behind the pack. Our protocol is to follow the last runner. A lot of times these ladies walked and it extended the race time by quite a bit. But we were happy to do it, they finished together and we blew the siren and got out and congratulated them for finishing. They could have given up, but did not, and I would be damned if we were going to give up on them either!
Thank you, everyone, for all the wonderful comments. I just want to clear a couple things up. The Ironman organization certainly did not just abandon me out on the course. They followed along with every athlete who was still out there after midnight for our safety. I am OK with the fact that I didn't receive a medal. I didn't complete the course within the time limits. What matters to me is that I finished...whatever time it was. Andrew Messick, CEO of World Triathlon Corporation (Ironman Corp.) and 2012 Ironman World Champ Pete Jacobs actually greeted me when I crossed the finish. I cannot say enough about the dedication of the Ironman staff and volunteers. This was a first class race with first class staff and volunteers. I hope to be back there soon, and you can bet I will be more than ready! Again, I appreciate all the support! If you would like to follow my training, I am on Twitter @Jerkyleg.
What a wonderful example of enduring and persevering through the darkest nights of the storms of life.So often we are challenged and put to tests that can overwhelm us and force us to confront facts in life that are terribly painful and life altering.When faced with such events and times, we can come to doubt that life could ever have any hope of returning to some kind of better state for us. It is tempting to give up and surrender to despair.
Unless someone has been in those terrible tempests, it can be hard to understand.So to read about another who has experienced such events and overcome them, is so rewarding and moves the heart and soul to rejoice. For it reaffirms, that just as this earth has clouds which can block out the sunshine, the sun is ever present beyond them, and they will pass.
So too will the trials and better days will come.We must not lose faith in life or ourselves. For we have so much more strength inside of ourselves then we realize. It is through the trials and storms of life, that we discover our true character. Not the easy days of sunshine.Look outward and remember what we have and count our blessings. This man has discovered how much determination he really has. With that knowledge, he can do anything now he desires. And the empathy he has gained will be a great source of strength for so many others who struggle.
This was a really poorly researched and written article. It should have mentioned the cut off time is 17 hours at all WTC (World Triathlon Corporation) Ironman races. Also, the brand is Gu Energy Labs, not Goo. This subject deserves a better article than this one.
TennTriathlete... The reporter who picked up Jeff's story in the Bay Area (Garvin Thomas) is a marathoner himself and knows GU from running. It was missed in the print version but Garvin spent quite a bit of time with Jeff getting his story and learned much we didn't know. Personally, I think the best part may be that Jeff's not done.
If your interested, there's additional footage of Jeff, some with Pete Jacobs at the finish, and our account of what we saw in a blog entry on Roctane.com (a GU blog site)
Thanks for knowing it's "GU"!
The whole point of the article is that of the human spirit! He did not give up even when he knew he would not win, or even finish with a time that brought any recognition. It was a race for him, and his family. He brings great honor to himself through the achievement of finishing! Great job! Great example!
all those on disability should take a lesson from this, there are very few disabled but many lazy...
You go, pal! You kick ass.
Awesome achievement sir. Continued blessings for you and your family.
This story is also a testament to the power of the impact we have on our loved ones. A simple suggestion, an encouraging word, a firm hand and you've helped lift your spouse, child, parent to a height they may have never otherwise reached.
P.S. don't forget that works in reverse as well :/
Jeff, you are bad-ass, my friend. I don't care how long it took, or what the official rules are your story is inspirational and I wish you well in the future.
Mr.Schmidt, Thee tips his hat to you, sir. Congratulations! Your, sir, and all other amputees that show the world nothing can hold you all back are an inspiration and heroes to the masses.
Here's to ya!
Yer Pal and Admirer Always,
Thee Ox & Friends