Jon Blais has passed away...

[Running Mommy]

For those of you who have watched the Kona broadcasts on NBC the last few years, you will know the name. If you haven't you can see it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vrjp2P0GlE

You can see the tribute here:

http://alswarriorpoet.com/

I'm very sad right now. How a disease can take an otherwise active individual and kill him within a couple of years.
Cherish everyday girls, EVERY DAY...

[eclectic]

Thank you so much for sharing that.

[Tri Girl]

Oh that makes me soooooo sad. His story at the 2005 race was so inspiring- then seeing him at last year's race was so difficult- and now... . So very sad for his family. He was such an amazing individual- such a blessing to so many (myself included).

Yes, every day we should enjoy this life we have...

[Lise]

Thanks, RM, for letting us know. That disease is astonishing in its horribleness. I watched him finish Kona 2 years ago, then watched others roll across the finish line in his honor last year. What an amazing man. He accomplished so much and will long be remembered.

[mimitabby]

we watched the horrors of this disease in my dear grandmother, who lived a long long healthy life and then suddenly, at the age of 90, she started losing her voice. 2 years later, she died. At any age, this is a horrible way to go.

[Running Mommy]

Horrible indeed.
I remember watching last years Kona coverage and Jon was saying "last year I did the Ironman, this year I'm in a wheelchair, and next year I won't be here. I'll be dead." That really struck me because I knew it was true, but my heart wanted to believe that somehow he would beat it.
What courage he had to face death with such composure. His legacy will live on through the work that he did while he was here.
If you ever get a chance to support an athlete that is doing a race to raise money for ALS, please do what you can. It could be any one of us. It could be me... scary, very scary.
Rest in peace Jon, I will always remember the ALS warrior poet.