Gogo completes half Ironman in Croatia!

Many campers and staff will remember our good friend Gogo Vrus (CIC staff 2002-2006). Today we learned that on Sunday October 7, Gogo completed his first half Ironman competition. He completed the 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.2 mile run in an amazing 6 hours and 32 minutes.

Gogo described crossing the finish line as, "indescribable, unforgettable, unbelievable."

Gogo trained in the sun, rain, heat and cold for 21 weeks before competing in this race. I remember when he told us that he was planning on competing in Ironman competitions while he was still here at CIC. Part of Gogo's inspiration is the story we sometimes tell at camp of Roger Bannister becoming the first person to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. At the time he decided to do it, people thought Roger Bannister was crazy and doctors told him his heart would explode if he continued to try to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Amazingly, shortly after Roger Bannister ran a sub 4 minute mile, 16 other runners also ran a sub 4 minute mile.

Gogo says he felt great until 5 hours into the race, during the last half of the 13.2 mile run. His leg began to hurt, but once he was within ten minutes of the finish line, "you could have seen a big smile on Gogo's face, even from Mt Orizaba" (the highest point on Catalina Island).

Gogo finishes his message to us by saying, "Don’t let the fear get in the way of your dreams, even if your biggest fear is your biggest DREAM!"

We're with you all the way Gogo! Congratulations on making your dreams come true!