"Do you want to know who the best is? That's him, Ice Man. That's the way he flies, ice cold, no mistakes." – Goose, Top Gun, 1986

You just woke up, swung your feet onto the floor, climbed out of a warm bed knowing that within moments you're going to voluntarily sit in freezing cold water for 3 minutes. You're 60 seconds away from this task and psyching yourself up to get in. Pretty easy right? Not so much. Welcome to the world of Cold Water Therapy and the latest trend that may improve health, wellness, overall longevity, and living a good life.

As I write this, I'm personally warming up from a 3 minute 5 second session of sitting in 39-degree ice cold water on my deck. Never once, not even after completing Norseman, did I think I'd again put undue stress on myself in extremely cold water, even with the thought that it could improve my overall health. I am happy to report that other than a little shivering, I'm feeling fantastic and mentally prepared for whatever my day brings. I'm hooked, and excited to experience the health benefits I've heard so much about.

So what's all the hype about cold water therapy? What is it exactly? Call it what you like (plunge/immersion/ice bath) but the goal is to submerge yourself in cold water for just a few minutes. When you sit in cold water, your blood vessels constrict. This constriction is believed to reduce swelling and inflammation that occurs post-workout. Therapeutic temperatures of the water can range from approximately 38 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact time in cold water and temperature varies based on the individual, but is largely based on your past cold water exposure experience. Technically, cold water therapy (or CWT for short) is a form of cryotherapy which utilizes cold therapies for health and wellness benefits. Cold water therapy sessions have been getting more airtime in the last few years for athletes, and are popping up more often in triathlete's social media feeds as a way to reduce inflammation, speed recovery, and ease joint and muscle pain – all important to hard-working triathletes wanting to make positive fitness gains.

More recent data suggests there's more to it than placebo effect. A clinical trial suggested that CWT may enhance mood & focus, increase dopamine levels by 250%, increase noradrenaline (associated with attention, mood, memory and alertness) levels by 530%, improve performance, improve immune system, blood circulation, lymphatic system, decreases stress, and (my favorite) increase metabolism by up to 350%.

Don't get me wrong, I experience anxiety every time I just think about sitting in cold water. My inner dialogue constantly tells me it's not going to be fun, even though the end result will be positive. It likely stems from my Iowa high school swimming days where I routinely stood at the edge of the pool at 5:30AM in the winter thinking of every possible reason not to get in. Most recently, I was listening to a recent podcast from Andrew Huberman on the Huberman Lab and he mentions that an area of the brain called the anterior midcingulate cortex can actually increase in size when we do things that are difficult or that we don't want to do. This is the part of the brain that predicts the energy needed for attention, encoding new information, and physical movement. He comments that it's one of the most important discoveries that neuroscience has made. If we can incorporate difficult/unwanted challenges in our daily lives, our brains might function better. Maybe all of those times when our parents made us do homework when we didn't want to actually improved the way we think after all.

If you're interested in starting cold water therapy sessions, but have little or no experience with cold water, start with switching your last 30 seconds in the shower to cold water. My son recently implemented this and it's yielded positive results for him for better adaptation to the cold. He's in high school and feels better while in class, especially in the morning. You can then eventually go to a full cold shower. Once your cold comfort level increases, you can graduate to submerging yourself in cold water (yes, you'd likely have to purchase a tank or tub) with the temperature cold enough to make you uncomfortable. Remember, you can always make it colder! 3 minutes is the minimal time to begin to see benefits for any water temperature over 38 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are at the 45-50 degree temperature level, the body should be able to withstand longer duration with some individuals hitting the 10-minute mark. Start slow and ease into it. To be safe, always consult your medical provider before beginning any cold-water therapy protocol.

As for frequency, cold water therapy sessions vary from athlete to athlete, but I'm currently experimenting with what works best for me and my workout schedule. What I am preferring is a plunge 1st thing in the AM before exercise, and letting myself self-warm back up (versus taking a hot shower). It still takes me a good hour to get fully warm again, so I try my best to not shiver too much in front of my customers in morning meetings. If I have a weight session planned, I'll plunge before or 3-4 hours post weights to minimize any reduction of gains from the session. Do what works and feels best for you, but if quick recovery is a priority, then I'd recommend cold plunging post exercise. My favorite is a 3 minute plunge in about 40 degree water right after a long run.

Having a cold plunge at our house has actually given us an unexpected focal point when having guests over, especially during the holidays. I can say that it definitely took the top spot for a family activity vs. any board game I can think of. Sorry Scattegories and Monopoly, I think our cold plunge has got you beat. Friends and family that have tried it gave us plenty of entertainment in watching them overcome a challenge, and even more so with them feeling energized, happy and perhaps discovering a new health benefit.

To be fair, there are considerable health risks that have been reported by putting your body in a state of shock from cold water. Before you take the plunge, understand if it is safe for you. If you get the OK from your doctor or medical provider, do your research and choose a product that fits your needs best. There are many styles to choose from, but we ultimately went with The Cold Poddue to good reviews, portability, durability and price.

The post Taking the (Cold) Plunge first appeared on Slowtwitch News.

"No matter how good or bad you think life is, wake up each day and be thankful for life. Someone, somewhere else is fighting to survive.” -Augie Nieto, founder of Life Fitness and diagnosed with ALS.

That statement really hit home with me after truly understanding how devastating living with ALS can be. When I learned that Augie Nieto was the individual who was credited for the success for the original Lifecycle, it reminded me of all of those Lifecycle workouts I logged when I first started racing in the 90's. As a consultant for a large consulting firm, I was on the road much of the week and hopping on a Lifecycle to begin my day was routine.

Nieto was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gerig's disease. Ironically, this was the same year that Jon "Blazeman" Blais (also diagnosed with ALS) famously rolled across the finish line of the Ironman World Championship becoming the only person with ALS to complete an Ironman at the time. He inspired and gave hope to millions in the process.

For those of you who may not know, ALS is an unpreventable, untreatable and incurable disease that robs us of the power of movement. It attacks otherwise healthy adults randomly and spontaneously and is one of the most devastating types of disorders that affect nerve and muscle function. 15 people are diagnosed with ALS everyday in the US and have an average life expectancy of only 2 – 5 years. Needless to say, this disease is devastating to anyone who it impacts, let alone endurance athletes.

In 2018, Nieto created Augie's Quest, an organization with the sole purpose to find a cure for ALS. It has raised over $150 Million for research under Augie's leadership and partners with many athletic events including the 2023 New York City Marathon held on November 5. Augie recently passed away in February 2023, but the importance of raising funds to fight this debilitating disease continues.

Those who are hit by ALS likely won't have the opportunity to physically exercise. This is precisely the reason why I'm running the New York City Marathon this November; to raise money for Augie's Quest through my local health club, Club Greenwood in Greenwood Village, CO. As an endurance athlete for most of my life, being robbed of my ability to move would be the worst thing imaginable. I couldn't think of a better way to assist in supporting research to stop ALS than through raising funds by running the largest marathon in the world.

If you would like to learn more about Tim's personal journey, or donate to his fundraising effort, please do so here.

All Photos Courtesy of Augie's Quest

The post A Run with Team Quest4ALS first appeared on Slowtwitch News.

As a long-distance athlete racing for over 25 years, it's no secret I crave long bike rides and Sunday runs that leave me hobbling into work every Monday morning. However, there definitely is more to this wonderful sport than just long-distance racing. With all of the airtime recently given to world championship events, we sometimes forget the shorter races that keep the blood flowing for many athletes. As I enter my last year in the 45-49 age group, I continue to remind myself to seek new challenges. Yes, we are creatures of habit, but tell yourself this year to break that mold and do a race a little off your radar.

The Ordinary Mortals Triathlon might not be on your radar now, but for many dedicated athletes in Colorado, the OMT is the highlight of the year. You certainly don't have to be "ordinary" to do the Ordinary Mortals Triathlon, just motivated to try something different. Heck, you don't even need to have swum in open water — it's a pool swim. The race is actually a reverse triathlon format. It starts with a hilly 5K run across Colorado State University's Pueblo campus. In T1 you strap on your bike shoes (or keep your running shoes on) and ride a quick but challenging 12.5 mile out and back to the airport. Your final cardiovascular test is grabbing your cap and goggles for a wicked fast 300-yard serpentine pool swim. Hop out of the pool for a sprint along the rec centers front lawn to the finish line. Before you know it, you go from "ordinary" to "extraordinary" in an instant.

How did all of this start? The background of this race dates back to 1986 when The "Ordinary Mortals" term was actually first used in Dr. Steven Jonas' book titled, "Triathloning for Ordinary Mortals (New York: Norton, 1986, 2nd ed., 2006)", which was the first-ever book for beginners in the sport. He subsequently obtained a registered trademark for “Ordinary Mortals” and with his permission, the race is allowed to use Ordinary Mortals as the title. Michael Orendorff, the original race director of the Ordinary Mortals Triathlon was inspired by Dr. Jonas's work and wanted to bring multi-sport to Southern Colorado.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, ordinary is defined as "in the normal order of events" but is far from the truth here in Pueblo. Aside from the events being in reverse order, the race conducts an equally challenging race for kids, hosts competitors from multigenerational families, provides scholarships to local Boys and Girls clubs, and inspires countless athletes and spectators, even local law enforcement. When asking Kim Arline, longtime OMT race director, what makes this race special, there was no hesitation, "This race is all about community and family. It's a smaller venue but with a big heart. Many athletes throughout Colorado say it's like coming home and getting to see familiar faces. We have total newbies to high level competitors competing for the top three overall positions every year, " Arline said. "In addition, this race stays local by assisting youth athlete programs and local non-profits to get people more active and healthy."

The OMT is likely one of the few races in existence where multigenerational families all race on the same day. "What I love to see are the families racing together, helping each other in transition and cheering one another on. We often have two or three families each year with three generations competing together. One year we had a family of four generations! We love to get the multigenerational photos at the finish line," Arline states. “My wish is that I can someday race with my own family to add to these inspiring multigenerational stories.”

When my kids were younger, nothing got me more excited than when my kids would do a running race or kids triathlon. When I discovered that the OMT had a kids race appropriately titled "Mini Mortals Triathlon” (MMT), I immediately signed them up. The MMT was added several years ago and has seen nothing but success. The race introduces kids as young as 5 years old into triathlon and has given scholarships to local Boys and Girls Club kids to compete. The Mini Mortals has motivated countless kids and adults of all shapes and sizes with the message of believing in themselves. It is by far my favorite event to watch, especially at the finish when the kids immediately grab their finishers medal and a well-earned root beer float.

Gwen Steves, a Pueblo triathlete that has been the OMT's head timer for several years, also truly appreciates the uniqueness of this race, "OMT is special because it was indeed my first interaction with triathlon. It started my drive to enter into the sports world again as an adult. When I had my first child, I wanted more for him in sports than just swimming. It's special to watch your child complete a sporting event that you love as well. Just knowing that I helped foster this in our community was a huge sense of satisfaction. Seeing this race prosper and grow is just icing on the cake." Steves added.

I've raced here a handful of times since 2013 and loved every year. Weather it was going head-to-head with some of the top local talent (Grant Drummond, Cory Rose) watching my kids slugging it out against a fellow 6-year-old in the pool, or seeing first timers do something they never thought was possible, each and every year has fueled my soul for this wonderful sport we call triathlon. OMT also reminds me that we are all athletes deep down, and the more we can tap into that, the better our lives will be.

For more information, or to register, click here.

The post Family, Community, and Inspiration: The Ordinary Mortals Triathlon first appeared on Slowtwitch News.

I’ve raced in over 200 triathlons, countless 70.3’s, and 16 Hawaii Ironman’s, but nothing would prepare me for racing Norseman. A race commonly referred to as the “World’s Toughest Triathlon,” the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon was a race experience few will ever be a part of. This is my story.

As I write this, I’m somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean decompressing from one of the most bone chilling, captivating, and inspirational races I’ve ever experienced. The Norseman Triathlon in Eidfjord, Norway delivers a triathlon experience like no other on earth. It boasts an unimaginable total elevation gain that makes you question if you’re reading it correctly. It allowed me to see a part of the world I had only read about, and truly helped me define who I was as an athlete.

Since Norseman is a 100% self supported race, I traveled with my support crew of Eric Wynn and DJ Snyder to help me along the way. As I learned throughout the race, a solid support crew is absolutely crucial for completing the race safely, and I was lucky to have them on my team. After meeting at my home in Colorado the weekend before for some additional race prep, we flew out of Denver on Monday afternoon, eventually planning to arrive at the race by Tuesday evening.

That’s when our scheduled travel plans deviated. Our routing was Denver to Minneapolis, Minneapolis to Amsterdam, and Amsterdam to Olso. We would then rent a car to drive from Oslo to Eidfjord. After our overseas flight was delayed by one hour, it started a domino effect, missing our connection to Oslo, resulting in the three of us scrambling for options to get to the race on time. The only viable option was to rent a car and drive from Amsterdam to Norway, an 18 hour trip! We booked a car, loaded our gear and were on our way.

It took us 2 days, but we were able to drive through The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and finally Norway. Sounds like a pretty sweet drive if we didn’t have the race coming up so soon. I even managed to get in a 45 min run in Copenhagen at 1AM (can’t miss my workout). It was actually a nice trip and we arrived in Eidfjord on Wednesday evening, only a day later than planned. As soon as we got into town I was floored by the beauty of the town and the landscape. It was one of the prettiest places I’d ever seen. We parked at the water’s edge and Eric asked me “What do you want to do Tim?” I quickly replied, “Swim in the Fjord.” Within minutes I donned my Zoot Bolt wetsuit, dove off the dock, and swam for 20 minutes in the 56 degree water. Definitely one of the coldest and most iconic swims I’ve had. I was so cold in face that it resulted in some significant slurred speech like trying to talk after visiting the Dentist. I tried to concentrate on speaking in complete, coherent sentences since Eric was constantly filming me, but I had unwillingly surrendered to the cold. After warming up, we met the race staff, and checked into our amazing cabin which was a 5 minute walk to the water. Due to our later arrival, we couldn’t do recon of the entire course, but managed to get in some solid rides and swims and felt as ready as I could for race day. I’d have to wait and see the rest of the course on Saturday.

The final 12 hours before the start I did my best to relax and get a solid rest. Better said than done as my mind was all over the place resulting in about 1.5 hours of sleep (new record for pre race). My alarm went off at 2:15AM. Transition was open from 2:45AM-3:45AM, and the race started at 5AM. Not exactly the best scenario, but like I always say, control what you can control. We were up and out the door at 3AM and got my bike set up. It was raining, windy, and high 40’s, but that was good weather compared to what was to come. After all, this was a race like no other.

DJ and I boarded the ferry for the swim start at 4AM, and 40 minutes later we arrived at the race start in the middle of the fjord. After suiting up and giving my wife a quick call, the race official gave us the green light to get into the water. After jumping into the 59 degree, 1300 foot deep water, I did a few backstrokes and looked into the sky and said a quick prayer for allowing me to get here and be a part of something so special.

As I swam to the starting line of kayak’s, one of the things I’ll never forget is how most of the 290 participants were cheering and hollering, because they were so excited to race. It’s not often you see this at other races, which is a reminder of how unique the people are at Norseman. Not one time did I hear anyone complain about the cold. These are a dedicated group of athletes who were sincerely happy to race and their attitude showed it. I felt honored to be included with such an elite group.

The horn went off at 5AM sharp and we were off. I immediately blocked out the cold and settled into a rhythm toward the front of the race. Before I knew it, I saw Eric alongside me in a boat filming, and wow, the images he captured were nothing short of spectacular. The course was relatively simple, and sighted mainly on the city lights of Eidfjord in front of me, and the shoreline to my right. There was one yellow buoy close to town where we turned left to the finish. The water temp actually dropped to 55 degrees as we got closer due to the continued renewal of freezing cold mountain water draining into the fjord. I felt this right away. By this time the cold had made a significant impact on my hands, feet, face, and core and wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Coming out of the water came with its own challenges. Going from a prone to standing position quickly after a 2.4 mile swim is tricky in “normal” conditions. However, the cold water magnified that feeling about 10x so I was even more disoriented and dizzy coming into transition. Swim time: 58:55.

T1 for me was a little different from prior races. OK, it was very different from other races. Plain and simple, the cold water had been so taxing on my body that it pretty much rendered my hands and feet useless, thereby making me dependent on Eric and DJ to assist me with my clothing (all allowed at Norseman). After putting on layer upon layer of clothing in the hope of possibly getting warm, I hopped on my Ventum NS1, and was on my way to tackle the famous 180k ride.

The 4000ft climb in the first 25 miles of the bike was pretty much insane. My strategy was to bike extra hard the entire climb with the sole purpose of generating extra heat. It made sense on paper, but the reality was there wasn’t a chance of me getting warm. I knew that I still had to continually put forth effort to at least try to get the feeling back in my hands and feet. This climb up the Måbø valley was unforgiving and beautiful all at once. The cold made it very difficult to enjoy the jaw-dropping combination of low hanging clouds, endless waterfalls, and dramatically high peaks. What made it even more challenging was the continuous rain, and bone chilling wind during the climb and at the top at Dyraunt. It also continued through the Hardangervidda plateau. My Wahoo Elment Bolt showed 30 degrees, with race directors reporting a balmy 24.8F with the wind chill.

I later learned that this was the coldest temperature ever recorded at Norseman. My frozen hands and feet proved it to be true. Due to my hands being cold and inoperable, I accepted the fact that it was impossible to grab food or water, and had to rely on meeting Eric and DJ to feed me. Luckily I had just enough movement to use my brakes which was absolutely crucial. I knew (or rather hoped) the conditions would be temporary, so I blocked the discomfort out of my head and focused on moving forward the best I could. At one point a race marshal passed me, gave me a thumbs up and said, “Don’t worry, it’ll get better.” I also kept thinking about what the race founder, Harek Stranheim told me the day before, “Comfort will always be waiting for you.” Staying positive was key and was easier to do with the continued smiles and thumbs up from competitors, support crews, and local spectators. We were all in this together. This was Norseman.

Things finally got slightly warmer about 4 hours into the ride. Still no feeling in my feet, but I was at least able to grab my food and drink. I remember saying out loud, “yes, I can grab a gel!” I quickly realized that even though it was getting warmer, especially on the up hills, there were little or no flat sections so the down hills just got me cold all over again. Therefore, no need to take off gloves, arm warmers, or beanie. The bike course took us through some of the most beautiful places in Norway, so I tried my best to look around from time to time to enjoy it. It went through places that are not seen and felt by very many people. After all, this was a little more of an adventure than competition. As the end of the bike came near, I calculated I was in the top 30 or so overall. That boosted my spirits as my ultimate goal was to earn the coveted black t-shirt for being a top 160 finisher. Total bike time: 6:30, approx 10,500ft of climbing.

As I entered T2, Eric and DJ were there to help me with my gear, and I was quickly on my way to the marathon. At this point it was warmer so I could finally strip off all my cold weather gear! Yes! However, my feet were still numb and only after 5k did the feeling in my toes start to come back. It took 8 hours of racing to finally feel my feet again, no joke!

The opening miles of the run were fairly flat around a lake on my way toward Rujkan and felt so good to finally work up some sweat. At 11.7 miles, I finally got my first glimpse of Mt. Gaustatoppen, the finish of the race. It was pretty far away, and still had to climb over 6,000ft, but I could still see it. Needless to say this gave me an extra mental boost and I knew I was going to make it. This is where comfort was waiting for me. I was feeling really smooth and started picking off people from earlier in the day. At one point, I passed an athlete from Italy when my excitement came out and said to him, “I still can’t believe that we are actually racing Norseman!” Not sure if he understood what I was saying, but he nodded and gave me a thumbs up.

At mile 16, I got to Zombie Hill, a long arduous climb with numerous switchbacks starting the climb to the finish at Mt. Gaustatoppen. I went through a race checkpoint and learned that I was in 36th place overall as I began the climb. Barring any unforeseen, catastrophic circumstance, I continued on knowing I would likely get a black T-shirt! Mt. Gaustatoppen is the highest mountain in Northern Europe sitting at 6,187ft. This is the point where they only allow the top 160 athletes to continue to the top and earn the black finishers t-shirt. Any athlete in place 161 or greater is required to do an alternative, flatter route, but still completes the same distance and gets a white t-shirt.

The start of Zombie Hill was like a punch in the face. DJ was now allowed to run with me until the end of the race and we were immediately greeted with a 10% grade. However, I love to climb and did a lot in training so I felt prepared, and actually excited to start the climb regardless of what my pace might be. DJ’s company was fantastic and made the run much more enjoyable. The switchbacks at times seemed endless, but I tried to make a conscious effort to run as long as I could. I didn’t start a run/walk until 3 miles up the hill when my running legs basically had other plans. After telling them to “shut up”, I did a little bit of walking and actually felt better. I continued downing PowerBar gels, water, and PowerBar Cola Energy Chews, which seemed to do the trick. We eventually got to the trailhead which took us to the final 5K. Eric joined us as well and got some excellent video of us navigating our way to the finish. It was a non-stop, rocky, steep trail fueled by locals cheering us on with every step we took. It was amazing! The last 2 miles were the toughest, trying to manage replacing lost calories, securing footing on the continuous unstable and slippery terrain, and trying to stay warm. Yes, at this point the cold returned

I’ve always said that you know when you’re enjoying your race, when you’re sad that it’s almost over. This was definitely true as I approached final switchbacks to the finish. I still couldn’t believe that after seeing the finish line so many times online, that I was actually there, finishing my journey. Once I got to the top, I was overcome with emotion and simply needed a minute for myself. After burning 10,865 calories (thank you Wahoo Elemnt Rival), I reflected on my journey from getting an entry, to the countless hours of training, to thinking about my family & friends that sacrificed their own time to assist me in finishing Norseman. It is a moment that will be with me forever.

A few closing thoughts:
My Norseman experience would not happen if it wasn’t for the support of Eric Wynn , DJ Snyder, race manager Dag Oliver, and my family. I can’t thank them enough for what they did for me. Not once did the thought cross my mind to quit or stop. When I was at my low points, I forced myself to smile. It’s amazing how it instantly made me feel better.

It was an honor getting to know Norseman race founder Harek Stranheim and the entire Norseman race staff. They know this race inside and out and always kept us safe.
Never underestimate the power of nature and what it can do. Embrace it and appreciate its power and beauty. We can easily get wrapped up in our everyday lives, and sometimes forget that there is a whole world out there that we can learn from. Get out there and see it.

The people of Norway are amazing. If you want to do well at Norseman, think like a Norwegian. They are a special breed.

The post The Norseman 2022 Recap first appeared on Slowtwitch News.

"Once in a lifetime friend" and "guardian angel" are a few phrases people used to describe Jeff Jewell. Jeff had a life that will never be duplicated. Although this piece is hard for me to write, I feel he has a story that should be shared. He was a husband, son, brother, uncle, friend, and athlete. His kindness was felt by so many people. For those of you who didn’t know Jeff, read on to learn about a person that truly changed people's lives. For those of you that did, hopefully this article will remind you of the inspiration he gave you. I know it did for me.

In the world of triathlon, Jeff was well known for his job as a massage therapist for Team USA from 2001-2009. He would travel all over the world with the team, making friends along the way, and if you were one of the lucky ones that knew Jeff, then you knew how special of a person he was. “I brought on Jeff to travel with Team USA and it was such a joy to work with him. I also helped Jeff get started doing massages in Ironman Hawaii. Whether in Kona or some other location around the world, Jeff was in his element,” a co-worker of Jeff recalls.

Jeff was the hardest worker I ever met. From triathletes to ultra-runners, he knew the human body inside and out and how to make every athlete feel special. He had a skill that no one could match. He took massage to another level that only his clients could understand. Jeff understood what had to be done for his clients to do their best athletically and never stopped short to help them meet their goals, often working 14 hour days, well into the night. It was this drive and determination combined with his friendship, love, and kindness that allowed him to have the largest circle of friends of anyone that I know.

Then there was Ironman Hawaii, one of his favorite places to work and the highlight of the year. Jeff loved Kona and worked so hard everyday until late at night making sure athletes’ bodies were ready to go. While in Kona in 2009, my dad was complaining of some pain in his leg. Jeff overheard this and said, “Ken, meet me on Friday morning before the race and I’ll get that leg feeling a lot better – it’s on me.” A rare treat for my dad who never had a massage, and later told me the best part of the massage was just talking to Jeff one on one and learning what a great person he was.

Since Jeff lived close to me in Colorado, I would always seek out his massage therapy before my races in Kona. Not only was he one of my closest friends, but he was the only person who knew my body better than me, “Timmy Hola,” he’d say, “If there is ever a time I can’t work on you, tell your next massage therapist to spend all day on your calves. Those things need some work!”

Originally from Middletown, Ohio, Jeff and his wife Sherry made Colorado their home after they were married. They immediately fell in love with the Colorado mountains, especially those in Winter Park. It was in Winter Park where Jeff and Sherry would go to find peace and discover a true love for the mountains. Days were spent snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, enjoying their morning Starbucks, strengthening their love for each other, and they eventually bought a condo in town. In December 2008, a few months before he was diagnosed with cancer, my wife Nikki and I stayed with them over a weekend and watched Jeff help our kids learn how to ski for the first time. “Jeff had a special connection with kids and he showed love in everything he did,” my wife Nikki said of Jeff.

It was in February 2009 when Jeff and I were enjoying a Mix 1 at his home just a few days before his birthday, when he complained of headaches. Days later a CAT scan revealed a 6×5 cm tumor the size of a lemon behind his left eye. On February 14th, he underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortunately this was just the beginning of Jeff’s battle of what was diagnosed as Stage 4 glioblastoma cancer. As months went on, Jeff continued to fight through his chemo, radiation, and four brain surgeries. However, he did not let that stop him from keeping as fit as he could. “I have never heard of someone washing a chemo pill down with some wheat grass on the way to the gym! His attitude was always positive and for someone who should be completely drained of energy after his treatments, Jeff was still dishing positive energy out to everyone who he came in contact with,” a close family friend, Greg Krause said.

Jeff was not your typical cancer patient. Embracing a healthy lifestyle defined Jeff, and he certainly would not stand for cancer getting in his way of doing what he wanted to do. His fitness made him stronger. All through his treatments, he would still work out as much as his body would let him doing his best, trying not to skip a beat. After speaking to him one day after a 6 hour chemo treatment, he said he felt great and wanted to get in a quick workout before the day was out. Just one example of how much Jeff wanted to defeat cancer. The bottom line was that Jeff loved life. He loved it in a way that made him feel inspired and motivated. He loved sharing his life with his wife of 15 years, Sherry. Never have I seen such a connection between two people. It made me and everyone else realize how fortunate we are.

Words cannot describe how much he treated people with respect and care. The fact that he was always uplifting made him everyone’s friend. I was always amazed on how he noted all the good things in life and never the bad. That probably was how he created the largest circle of great close friends of anyone I knew. In his own way he made each and everyone of his friends feel like a special part of his life. The nicknames he had for everyone, mine was “Titanic” because I could eat a lot, just plain made you laugh and gave you a good feeling no matter what mood you were in.

Family friend Kyle Boschen recalls many training days with Jeff, and one in particular while training for the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race, “Jeff and I trained for and raced the 2007 Leadville 100 together. The training that we did leading up to the event was what was so memorable. On one of our training days, we left Jeff’s house in Superior on our mountain bikes and rode out into the mountains, up over the Continental Divide and down into Winter Park. It was six hours of climbing and one hour of descending and was one of those epic days out on the bike telling stories, laughing and training hard.”

As his cancer progressed, Jeff would transition between UCLA and Colorado for treatments, where he was the happiest. He continued this until July 2010 when it was advised that he remain at the UCLA hospital. As October came closer, Jeff’s condition was deteriorating to a point that concerned everyone who was following his progress on his website. It was particularly difficult for me since I knew this would be the first time in 6 years when I would not see Jeff in Kona. I thought of him through the entire race and imagined seeing his smiling face screaming my name with my family on Palani Road just like in years past. In my heart I knew he was there.

Heading into late October his health deteriorated to a vegetative state. On October 28th, it was communicated to Jeff’s family and friends that there were no future medical treatments available for him and that the disease and side effects continued to progress. On November 14, Jeff came back to Colorado where he was greeted like a celebrity by 60 of his closest friends. He died the next day at a hospice in Louisville with Sherry at his side. Below is the last journal entry posted by Sherry after hundreds of updates and just under 90,000 website hits:

Jeff was a role model for all of us, a one of a kind person that you just felt lucky to know. The times we laughed so hard together are priceless and will be with me forever. If there is one thing I have learned from Jeff it is to live life to its fullest. You never know what is around the corner so take advantage of all that life has to offer. Thanks Jeff for all those times you made me and everyone else in your life feel so special. We’ll never forget you.

A website has been set up to help raise money for Jeff’s family to cover the expenses associated with his battle with cancer. You can visit http://www.giveforward.com/jewell-fundraiser to donate.

The post Jeff Jewell remembered first appeared on Slowtwitch News.