Blindness, Diabetes Haven't Slowed Valparaiso TriathleteStory Updated: Aug 30, 2007 at 4:33 PM EDT
By Beth Boehne
VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — Diabetes hasn't beaten Bob Sobieski.
Legally blind and the recipient of a transplanted kidney and pancreas, Sobieski has competed in 14 triathlons since last year.
"It's just a step up to show people what a challenged person could do," Sobieski, 41, said. "My wife thinks I'm nuts, but I just enjoy the heck out of it."
Guided by his 15-year-old daughter Kaytlyn in one race and by Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas in two others, Sobieski became the first blind athlete to finish all three runs, swims and bike rides in the Accenture Chicago Triathlon last weekend.
"When he asked me to do it I really considered it a great honor and a privilege," Costas said. "I was looking forward to it all summer."
Sobieski was inspired to try triathlons after a 55-mile Tour de Cure bike event sponsored by the American Diabetes Association in 2005. Since then, he has lost about 60 pounds.
"I feel 110 percent better than what I did," he told The Times of Munster for a Thursday story.
For the most part, Sobieski is able to train by himself. He swims laps at the Valparaiso Family YMCA, where he also participates in spinning bike classes, and runs outside on a 6-mile loop around town. During triathlons, he is attached to his partner with a rubber cord during the swim. He then follows his guide on the bike and run.
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