It Was Nice To Meet You Dave

There are times in life where work and inspiration cross. I am in a profession where this can happen on an almost daily basis. Being a college tennis coach I can be inspired by my athletes performing at a very high level, accomplishing something off-court they felt was beyond them, or even by competing athletes who may do something extraordinary during a match. Very rarely have I been inspired by another coach, especially during a match - and especially while I am supposed to be coaching against him during the heat of battle. My father has inspired me to pursue coaching to the highest level I can attain. This occurrence was not from my dad, but from the opposing coach during our match on Friday. We were slated to play Washburn University from Topeka, KS. They are currently the 31st ranked tennis team in NCCA Division II. It was guaranteed to be a tough match as we are currently ranked 25th. Tennis matches have a flow that has been pretty much the same since, well forever. The teams come out for warm-ups, the coaches have small talk, exchange line-ups, and then commence playing after brief introductions. This match just had a different feel.

Dave Alden is the head coach of the Ichabods and when we shook hands to greet one another the day changed. We shared stories of previous matches against common opponents, did our exchanges, and just shot the breeze. The match began and our coaching duties took over. The intensity of the match was very clear during the doubles. Neither of us made too many moves to the court as we let the matches work themselves out. As the three doubles matches played we made few comments towards each other. The first point went to FSC but Washburn tied it up with a victory at number three doubles. The deciding point would be played out at number one doubles. Even though Dave’s team was down he remained positive and urged them on through the points. There was no outward stress, no harsh words, just reassurance to the players of how important they were for the team. As a coach there is nothing we can do but encourage during these times. We train our athletes to do their best and hopefully they can translate that when they are faced with adverse situations. Number one doubles finished and found FSC up 2-1. There would be a quick 10 minute break and then the warrior portion of the match would unfold. Six singles matches would decide who would be the victor on this day. These six matches can be a hair-raising experience and I felt that they would be very tight.

The Washburn team was traveling during their spring break to play these matches. I noticed that Dave had his two young daughters with him and thought that was pretty cool that he got to travel with them. They were entrenched in the match just like a rabid fan. They cheered when there was a good shot and encouraged throughout the entire match. I commented to Dave about this and then he inspired me. Dave is a single dad. His wife passed away a few years back from cancer. It was a quick diagnosis and a rapid decline. Dave has been a single dad since and tries to spend as much time with his daughters as is possible with his profession. This is amazing because as a college tennis coach I know how much I have missed from my own daughter but I have always had a doubles partner to be there for me. He is now playing singles and trying to balance his professional life with being a daddy and a mommy. What struck me is that Dave and I are the same age. We are within 3 days of having the same birthday. His daughters are very close to my daughter’s age. During this heated match I instantly wanted to know more about him. Oh yeah, we won at number one singles and lost at number 3 so now the overall score was 3-2 in the race to five. There were four matches still on at varying points of completion but I just wanted to find out more about Dave.

FSC moved one point closer to victory with a straight sets win at number 2 but suffered a setback at number 5 singles. The overall match score was 4-3 with 2 matches still undecided. One was very tight deep in the third set. It was at this moment that I realized how cool this guy was that I was supposed to be coaching my guts out to beat. We were viewing number four singles from our bleachers when he told me that he honored his late wife by doing an Ironman triathlon. Yes, you heard that correctly, he completed the grueling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26 mile run to honor his wife. Many of his friends had done them to raise money for the medical expenses during her treatment so he thought that he would do the same. I almost forgot, FSC clinched the match at number four singles to go up 5-3 with number six still playing for pride. Here is the part that blew my mind and will for sure blow the minds of my friends who have done these types of events. Dave trained for under 3 months to accomplish this. He decided in June to do it and completed the event in August. Notice I used completed and not competed. The only competition he had was within his mind and that was easy. He was doing it for someone he loved and who could not do it for herself. I use the word easy lightly. He had never ridden over 60 miles on his bike, had trained for less than 3 months, and it was 96 degrees the day of the race. One of the funnier moments of the story was when he was sitting in registration and started speaking to other racers. They asked him about his training regiment and how many he had done. He went through his timeline and they all told him he was crazy and it couldn’t be done. He calmly told them he was doing it for a completely different reason than them and that he would do it. He has used that tenacity with his tennis program and regularly tells his team, “When someone tells you that you cannot do something prove to them you can.” I told him I didn’t feel that I could make the 2.4 mile swim. He stated that he had been a lifeguard and that part was okay. The fun happened on the 61st mile of the bike ride when he hit the mark that was the furthest he had been. At mile 100 he started to feel cramping in his right thigh and left calf. He was determined to make it back to transition and not cramp on the road by himself. He said that there were ambulances everywhere and that there were racers down everywhere along the route. As he got into the bike/run transition he checked his cramping and it had dissipated. Anybody that completes or competes in an Ironman triathlon is a beast to me. Most train for 9 months to a year for this type of event, become consumed by diet, training schedule, and let everything else go by the wayside. Dave was consumed with being a father to two grieving daughters and was determined to honor his late wife with putting one foot in front of the other.

The match ended with FSC winning at number six singles to close out the day with a 6-3 victory. I also got a win that day because I know I am doing it right. We have one chance to prove to our children, co-workers, and the players we try to influence that you cannot quit because you are tired or it becomes hard. Dave finished his race in 16 hours and 2 minutes. He has been honored by Washburn University with The Living Well at Washburn award. The award honors the employee that shows self-leadership skills necessary to maintain their own wellness status. I bet his determination to accomplish such an amazing fete has been bantered around by millions but it is those special few who actually pull the trigger and throw caution to the wind that accomplish the unbelievable or for most of us the unattainable.

The conversation continued until both of our teams seemed to come get us so that his could leave the facility and mine could begin a well deserved weekend off. Before he left he told me he is not done. He has aspirations of doing the Ironman on Kona in Hawaii which is the granddaddy of them all. Dave is a great candidate for this honor and I feel that with his persistence he will get that call to participate. As I write this I am looking at my beautiful life knowing how precious each moment is with the ones we love. I am looking forward to watching our DVR’d supercross with my own daughter tonight and cheering on our favorite riders. Dave has planted an indelible mark of honor on his daughters’ mother which they will always cherish. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet Dave Alden and cannot wait for the opportunity to share his stories from Kona. I really hope he gives himself at least 6 months this time, but knowing Dave he would make it anyway.

On Location: In the Racing Trailer with the Yodonis Family

Welcome to Beyond the Curve. On this page I will try to highlight those who compete in events that do not make the mainstream. For the inaugural piece I decided to write about something that is close to my heart. That would be racing. I did, however, stay away from the two wheel variety and have delved into the sport of off-road quad racing. I decided to interview a family that races together, and get their take on the sport, commitment and motivation. Thanks again and I look forward to shedding more light on sports that are Beyond the Curve.

When most of us think of quad riding we think of big 4 wheel-drive trucks towing muddy four wheelers in the beds of their trucks or on open trailers with coolers hanging off the back. Although those days are fun, the family I interviewed today takes quads to a different level by racing them on closed course off-road circuits. I met them while they were preparing to leave for the first national of the year. This event was going to be held in Bunnell, FL in conjunction with Daytona Bike Week. The interview was actually conducted in their brand new trailer which was outfitted for racing purposes. The trailer will haul the quads and if needed they can even sleep in it. We pulled out some of the camping chairs and I let the questions fly. They were candid and informative and you will see that they are passionate about the racing and what it means to their family. Sitting around the trailer with the Yodonis family were Michael, Michelle, and Michael, Jr. Their daughter, McKenzie was busy in the house doing homework after a busy night at dance classes. Michael has been in law enforcement for 16 years and Michelle owns her own health and beauty business while serving as area manager for Arbonne International. MJ is in 3rd grade and is the epitome of a little boy. He excels in school, plays on his bike, and has recently taken up archery competing on his school’s archery team.

I asked them how they got into racing quads and they stated that they had been to watch racing about 5 years ago, and when MJ was 3 he thought it would be fun to give it a try. They have been racing for about the past 4 years. This led me to ask about any racing in the past or family racing since people go watch racing all the time and rarely decide that this is something they want to get involved with. Michael said that when he was 6 or 7 he raced BMX and really enjoyed riding the old three-wheelers of the time. What led him to quad racing were those days of riding three-wheelers and because his dad wouldn’t let him have a dirt bike. Michelle said racing has always been in her blood. Her father and grandfather both raced cars in the Sports Car Club of America while her brother competed in state and national BMX races and invited them to their first motorcycle race.

The next things I wanted to know about was really what they do, how they do it, where they do it, and what they use to do it with. Both Michael and MJ compete in the Florida Trail Riders (FTR) series racing in their harescramble classes. They both also compete in the national series known as Grand National Cross Country (GNCC). Both series hold races throughout the year. The FTR series competes from September through April while the GNCC series runs from March through June, takes a summer break, and then resumes in September and runs through October. While I was interviewing them they were preparing for the first national of the year, had just raced an FTR race the weekend prior, had another national the next week, and finally would race again in the FTR series in other two weeks. MJ told me he rides a 70cc race quad while Michael races a 450cc quad. These are race purposed machines that will definitely give you a thrill. Michael told me that his courses range from 5-10 miles per loop and MJ’s courses are between 1-4 miles per loop. The races are timed so endurance is a key factor. The FTR series rambles around the pasture land of Florida while the GNCC series ranges from Florida, up to New York, and over to Indiana. The FTR series consists of 15 rounds while the GNCC series has 13 rounds.

All of this racing takes commitment from the entire family. I asked them if they had roles and what went in to making the racing successful. Michael started out by saying that one day of racing was truly a week’s worth of preparation. He also said that Michelle probably had the hardest job since she was the one who made sure everyone had clothes and gear packed and she was also the one who made sure that the cooler or coolers were stocked with the proper foods and drinks to get through the weekend. He stated that his preparation usually started the day after the race with getting the quads cleaned from the previous race. On Tuesday and Wednesday he prepped the quads making sure everything ran properly and then on Thursday or Friday they would load out the trailer getting ready to leave for the race. On FTR weekends a lot of the time they can leave at dark thirty on Saturday morning to race on Saturday. The GNCC weekends take a little more preparation but the family embraces that time as only a racing family can.

We spoke about the travel and time involved and I wanted to see where they had been and what their favorite place was. MJ jumped on this one and said that he really likes North Carolina for all the mountains and hills. This sentiment was echoed by Michael and Michelle. They said the course was cut between the mountains and it was really spectacular to not only race up and down the mountains but to watch the views that were just everywhere. MJ said that he had raced in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Michael added that he has raced in all those and in North Carolina. The family agreed that the travel was actually fun together. They loved seeing all the new places, enjoyed being able to watch the races from all over the different tracks, competing on different terrains, and including the family just made it like a bunch of mini vacations. Michael added that it was nice to include Michelle and McKenzie in his and MJ’s love of racing.

As we spoke more I realized how much went into racing. There was much more than just loading up a couple of quads, grabbing a handful of throttle, and seeing how fast you can go. I asked the family about the costs involved, if there were sponsors, and what they got for being successful. MJ was quick to point to his mom and dad when it came to who paid for all the racing. He also made sure to let me know there was no money in the amateur ranks and when you won you got big plaques not big checks. Michael was a little more diplomatic in his responses. He stated that they did pay for their racing but there was help available. Sometimes it was in the form of discounts for parts and other times it was racing friends assisting with mechanical work. This is a great form of help because racers break things and shop costs can become very prohibitive.

As we were finishing up the interview I asked all of them a couple of tough questions. Do you have fear or trepidation? What motivates you? Why do you want to do this? MJ started this off and being the typical 8-year old he really doesn’t have much fear. He is motivated by getting better. He is currently battling for the year end championship in the FTR series. As for why he races it really doesn’t get much better than his answer. I asked the question and without hesitation his answer rolled off his tongue. He stated, “I have fun and I like to compete with other people that are also my friends.” If we all had that attitude during our competitions we would all be better off. Doing it for the love of the sport and having fun with our competitors. Michael was next and he stated that of course having a son who races and the fact that he races always is in the back of his mind. He needs to be able to go to work on Monday to help pay for the racing they enjoy as a family. The chance that the ultimate sacrifice can occur is always present but life is too short to sit on the sidelines and not have fun. He said that he has dealt with those fears and now knows how to push them back when he is on the track. The coolest part of this deal was the fact that he must put his daddy nerves to rest before his own racing nerves kick in. Michael made it clear that his motivation comes from not wanting to sit on the couch. He said that sitting around would be too easy. Being competitive helps him stay active with both of his children. His why goes back to being competitive. He is able to show his children that you can have fun at any age. He also uses MJ’s racing as his why. When it gets hard he pushes through because he is the example that his son is going to follow. The last person to respond to the questions was Michelle, the mother and wife. She said of course there is fear since she has a son and husband on the track but she has a strong faith and things happen as they are supposed to. She believes that there is fear if you let it in your thoughts. She feels those are the thoughts you just cannot allow to fill your mind. She clears her head knowing she puts both of her “boys” in safety equipment and they both have been trained to ride their machines properly. Jokingly she added that since you cannot always see them since the laps are so long you don’t see a lot of the bad stuff that may happen away from your eyes. The worst feelings she has is when major injuries happen to others and you still kiss your racers goodbye and send them out there knowing that you could face the same outcome.

The last thing the Yodonis family wanted to do was to thank a few people who have helped them through this journey. They were very appreciative of their family and their racing family. Both serve important roles and at different times. Michael also wanted to thank Santo DeRisi of DeRisi Racing, Todd Rickman of His Way Creations, and Chris Williams with Chris Williams Engine Building. Michael also wanted to add Chuck Frazier to the list for all the help with mechanical gremlins.

As we finished up Michael joked that he didn’t know if this all started because he was going through a mid-life crisis at 35. I told him that this was an expensive crisis and at this point he could have had a Porsche or a couple of Harleys. He and Michelle both laughed but stated that they loved the family time and adventures that racing have brought them. If you would like to know more about the racing the Yodonis family is involved with you can learn much more at floridatrailriders.org and gnccracing.com.

Beyond the Curve was created by me, Trey Heath, and I decided that my first interview was going to be with my racing buddies who also happen to be my sister and brother-in-law.