May 24, 2005 - Shad Ireland, a dialysis patient from Minnesota, completed the Florida Half Ironman Triathlon (web site) this last weekend.

The course included a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. His time was 7 hours, 42 minutes, 20 seconds. See results page.

May 17, 2005 - 32-year-old Shad Ireland, the first dialysis patient to compete in and finish an Ironman triathlon, will compete in his second Ironman event at the Florida Half Ironman that will be held May 22 in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Story from TransitionTimes.com.

October 11, 2004 - Message from Shad Ireland

Hello everyone!

I am at it again. I will be making a splash in 2005 (no pun intended) I will once again make history because I will be, to my knowledge, the only chroniclly ill athlete competing at this level consistantly. I am planing on doing 4 Ironman races in 2005 plus several Olympic and sprint races!

2005 will be a year of achievement. I plan to be in Kona Oct 2005 competing in the world champiobnship.

I have updated my website with all of the 2005 race information. Please visit www.shadireland.com for more info.


August 9, 2004 - Shad Ireland has published his account of the Ironman competition he completed on July 25th. He became the first dialysis patient to complete the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run of an Ironman triathlon. Race account from the Shad Ireland web site.

July 28, 2004 - Shad Ireland of Minnesota has become the first kidney dialysis patient to ever compete in and complete an Ironman competition! He completed the Lake Placid Ironman on July 25th with a time of 16 hours, 25 minutes, and 10 seconds. He swam 2.4 miles, bicycled 112 miles, and ran 26.2 miles.

Here is a link to his race results: http://liveupdate.ironmanlive.com/ppv/athlete.php?rid=36&bib=445


February 9, 2004:

Hello,

My name is Shad Ireland. I am going to be the first Kidney dialysis patient to ever compete in or complete an Ironman competition. My goal is to finish with a qualifying time so that I can race in the world championship at Kona Hawaii this year. I will be competing at Lake Placid on July 25th. I am an age grouper in the 30-34 age group. I am 31 years old and have been on kidney dialysis for 21 years.

I have a website, www.shadireland.com.

Personally, I have a list of things I want to achieve in my life; my personal philosophy is that any obstacle can be over come. I believe in turning obstacles into achievements. I have always wanted to do an Ironman, but never thought that I could because of my health. I have overcome much adversity to get to this point in my life, multiple surgeries, 2 failed kidney transplants and numerous hospitalizations.

I want to be able to inspire others, to give back, and make a difference. I remember when I started dialysis; I was 10 years old. I looked at everyone who was on dialysis and they were all really sick, I had no positive role model, no one to look to, I thought I was going to be sick like everyone else, I was scared. I want to encourage others to live life, to find strength in any adversity they encounter, to stand tall no matter the circumstance, I have a quote on my website,

An individual cannot know their truest ability until they are faced with great adversity. -Unknown

I believe this because I personally found it to be true (see my philosophy page on my website). The Ironman is more than just a race, it takes on a life of its own for each and every athlete, For me it has multiple meanings, It is a source of personal achievement and a standard by which I push myself. Its like climbing a mountain, when you get to the top you stop and take a deep breath, quietly taken by the moment as you survey where you are, how far you have come, and what you have just achieved. I will achieve my goal and qualify for Kona, and through my achievement I hope to encourage and inspire others.

For more information please check out my website, www.shadireland.com

Shad Ireland

Shad finished the race. Here is a link to his race results: http://liveupdate.ironmanlive.com/ppv/athlete.php?rid=36&bib=445

WAY TO GO SHAD! I know you wanted to finish higher up but you finished first in my book. Gary I hope you can find a way to give Shad's finish the prominence on Renalweb that it deserves.

Shad, I just want to say congratulations to you! What an accomplishment. I'm a dialysis nurse and think that you have such positive outlook despite your disease. You are an inspiration not only to myself, but to the rest of the renal network. I am going to take your story into the center and give copies to my patients. You should be very proud of your accomplishment! Keep it up.

WOW! Shad we are so proud of you! How wonderful that you were able to do this --something most of us could NEVER do! Keep doing wonderful things to show all of us that having kidney disease does NOT spell the end of everything you might want to do!

Here is a link to his race results: http://liveupdate.ironmanlive.com/ppv/athlete.php?rid=36&bib=445


February 9, 2004:

Hello,

My name is Shad Ireland. I am going to be the first Kidney dialysis patient to ever compete in or complete an Ironman competition. My goal is to finish with a qualifying time so that I can race in the world championship at Kona Hawaii this year. I will be competing at Lake Placid on July 25th. I am an age grouper in the 30-34 age group. I am 31 years old and have been on kidney dialysis for 21 years.

I have a website, www.shadireland.com.

Personally, I have a list of things I want to achieve in my life; my personal philosophy is that any obstacle can be over come. I believe in turning obstacles into achievements. I have always wanted to do an Ironman, but never thought that I could because of my health. I have overcome much adversity to get to this point in my life, multiple surgeries, 2 failed kidney transplants and numerous hospitalizations.

I want to be able to inspire others, to give back, and make a difference. I remember when I started dialysis; I was 10 years old. I looked at everyone who was on dialysis and they were all really sick, I had no positive role model, no one to look to, I thought I was going to be sick like everyone else, I was scared. I want to encourage others to live life, to find strength in any adversity they encounter, to stand tall no matter the circumstance, I have a quote on my website,

An individual cannot know their truest ability until they are faced with great adversity. -Unknown

I believe this because I personally found it to be true (see my philosophy page on my website). The Ironman is more than just a race, it takes on a life of its own for each and every athlete, For me it has multiple meanings, It is a source of personal achievement and a standard by which I push myself. Its like climbing a mountain, when you get to the top you stop and take a deep breath, quietly taken by the moment as you survey where you are, how far you have come, and what you have just achieved. I will achieve my goal and qualify for Kona, and through my achievement I hope to encourage and inspire others.

For more information please check out my website, www.shadireland.com

Shad Ireland

[This message has been edited by Gary Peterson (edited 07-29-2004).][/B][/QUOTE]

Thank you for showing people that our spirit's are what we live by, not the limits of our minds and bodies. Your spirit has helped us all, thank you again!!

Hello everyone!

I am at it again. I will be making a splash in 2005 (no pun intended)I will once again make history because I will be, to my knowledge, the only chroniclly ill athlete competing at this level consistantly. I am planing on doing 4 Ironman races in 2005 plus several Olympic and sprint races!
2005 will be a year of achievement. I plan to be in Kona Oct 2005 competing in the world champiobnship.
I have updated my website with all of the 2005 race information. Please visit www.shadireland.com for more info.