Motivational Training Messages for Tyler

Tyler, Good luck in training and the race! What you are doing for the Blue Jackets Foundation is truly inspiring! Jesse treasures the memories she has of Hats for Heroes events with you, and our entire family wishes you well and will be cheering you on! The Crow Family

Tyler, best of luck with the race. I will be cheering you on through your Ironman battle, much like you cheered me on through my battle. Thanks so much to you and the CBJ Foundation for everything you do. Sullivan Plancon

Tyler, I am a triathlete myself, and though I’ve never done an Ironman, I know the dedication it takes to train successfully for a multi-sport race. Ironman is the strongest test of an athlete’s physical and mental strength, and challenges the athlete to go beyond anything they’ve done before. Knowing you from countless interactions on behalf of the Jacket Backers and as a fan, I know how personal the Hats fFr Heroes charity is to you, and I know that you’ve got all the motivation you’re going to need to get though all those hours in the pool, on the bike, and on the road. These children you’re helping, and the diseases you’re fighting are a cause that should motivate us all to do more and be more than we are. I wish you much success, and remember, every mile you train will make the race itself that much easier. Ben Berry

Tyler, My son Sam was diagnosed with stage 3 Neuroblastoma at the age of one month. After surgery, weeks of coma and a year of chemo he was judged to be in remission. He still is, just past his 23rd birthday. His toughness, even at a young age was key to his recovery as was excellent care at the Oakland, CA, Akron and Columbus Children’s Hospitals.

So too was your toughness important to your success in hockey. I have confidence that same attribute will serve you well in this quest. Towards that end, I believe you were quoted as saying swimming was your weakest leg. I would be happy to help you with that if I could. In an earlier life I was a multiple time All-American at U of Florida. I’d be happy to look at your stroke and give some tips. As you are well aware good technique can save a lot of energy.

I’ve been a CBJ season ticket holder from season one and we have even met a couple of times. You, I and Tugger stood next to each other and chatted at the U2 concert a few years back. Best of luck in this effort and your ongoing work for Hats For Heros. I often wear my hat proudly. I will be pulling for you. Dave Ray

Hello Tyler, I am an old friend from Langenburg, Saskatchewan. Played minor hockey with and against you. Long time no chat! I love the sound of your charity, I'd love to donate something! Kolin Walters

Tyler - We can not begin to express our gratitude to you, to the Foundation and to the team. Five years ago we were devastated when we learned that Coryn had leukemia. Those are words that no parent should ever have to hear, let alone try to explain to a scared six year old. We were terrified, we had no idea what lay ahead of us. And had someone tried to tell me at that point that there would be true blessings in the years to come as a result, I am pretty sure I would have punched them. But none the less, that is indeed what has happened. We feel truely blessed and honored to be a part of the Hats For Heroes family and to have the opportunity to "pay it forward" - to help you raise money to help more families who are now standing in the place that we were. Coryn is anxious to do what she can to help kids who are facing the battle that she has faced. Thank you for taking the lead and for being that inspiration; thank you for taking note of the battle that these kids fight and for putting you self out there to test your own merit. We will be with you, in spirit, every step of the way! The Lord Family

Hi Tyler,
Congratulations on your dedication. I am a police officer in Peterborough, Ontario and competed in Penticton in 2006. I was part of the Canadian Ironcops "Cops For Cancer" team which raised $1,000,000.
I am currently part of a local Cops For Cancer Team known as Pedal For Hope. (www.pedalforhope.com) We are a team of 11 Police Officers and local Retired NHL Player John Druce. Drucer's daughter Courtney, now 21, has had 3 battles with Luekemia. She is in remission and going strong at Queen's University.
We support kids in out community fighting cancer and they are our inspiration!
Train hard, and crossing that finish line will come easy. It is one of the best memories of my life! 12:45!!!
Good Luck! Marc Habgood

Hey Ty, congrats on taking on the challenge of doing an "Ironman".......the money that is being raised for Pediatric Cancer. Very proud of you, and will be cheering you on all the way! I will see you in Penticton!
Love Tam

Hi Tyler....keep up the good work, we're very proud of what you are doing and especially cause its for Hats For Heroes...love Mom and Dad

Tyler,
This past Sunday I completed my first 70.3 half-ironman. I am a “big guy” (to put it nicely), and I finished my race just inside the time limit. I know full well what you’re about to attempt, and how difficult it’s going to feel. When you’re climbing the steepest parts of the hills, you may feel like you’re going backwards. When you only on mile 5 of the run, you might think about how much farther you have left to go and how much you hurt already. You might have a bike problem, or break your swim goggles, or any other of a hundred things that can go wrong. Those things might slow you down, but don’t let them stop you.
Even with all of you experience at being a “maximum effort” guy both in the league and in training for this race, it’s going to feel at times like the end simply can’t come fast enough. But you CAN and WILL do this. You’ll do it for yourself, for your family, and most importantly for all the kids the foundation works so hard to help. And I hope that people realize that even when your race is done, the race to help these kids isn’t.
Good luck, and I’ll be following on Sunday. Just remember that every swim stroke, pedal turn and running stride is one step closer to being done. Ben Berry

Tyler:
Best of luck this weekend. Better having the crash yesterday than on race day! I told Tevo to pass along my 2 cents which may only be worth 2 cents but here goes - 1) Do Not push too hard on the bike and 2) if your stomach starts to feel weird particularly on the run - go to flat soda. I can only take so much gu!  All the training is done so time to have fun. Best of luck.  Bob D

Go get ‘em Tyler! You are making all of us in Columbus very proud of you for your efforts. Good luck on race day. Scott Blair