LEXINGTON, Ky. (October 25, 2024) – Through blood, sweat and tears, 53-year-old Chris Schmidt has found the finish line. But, he will tell you, the road to getting there wasn't always pretty.
This week, Schmidt traveled more than 4,000 miles from Columbia, Kentucky to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii to compete in the Ironman World Championship on October 26th.
Schmidt grew up in New York City and, like many children, participated in a variety of activities and sports. Karate, basketball, volleyball, he participated in them all.
In 1995, he took a job as an assistant basketball coach at Lindsay Wilson University, where he currently serves as the school's dean of students and has called Kentucky home for more than 30 years.
“When I worked in college, I played intramural sports. If there was a sport to play, I played it,” Schmidt said. “I always signed up for something because I loved being with students and being involved.
Eventually, the university approached Schmidt about coaching the cycling team. He didn't know anything about cycling but was up for a challenge to learn something new.
“I ended up falling in love with cycling,” Schmidt said. “I loved basketball so much that I actually stepped away from basketball, which I had been playing my whole life, and became fully committed to this new journey.”
Schmidt's commitment to cycling combined with his competitive nature led him to begin training for an Ironman triathlon. These races are not for the weak. A full Ironman consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 42.2-mile run. All three legs were combined into one race, covering a total of 140.6 miles during the competition.
“Like most athletes, we like to challenge ourselves,” Schmidt said. “I decided to start training for an Ironman. I had never done a triathlon before, but I decided to jump into a full Ironman.”
In 2012, after four months of training, Schmidt completed his first Ironman in Louisville. This race ignited his passion for triathlons, and he knew he would continue doing them.
However, an active lifestyle and intense training began to take a toll on his body. He began to experience significant pain in his left hip. After undergoing X-rays and meeting with his care team, it was discovered that the cartilage in his hip joint had deteriorated. He began various types of rehabilitation to ease the pain, but as he got older and with each Ironman, the pain got worse.
“The pain got so bad that I had to lean on things while cooking or cutting food. I couldn't even stand up to make eggs and had to sit on a chair. “It was,” Schmidt said. “If I was standing at all, I would lean against something or sit on the corner of a table to relieve pressure.At the same time, my left hip started to click while cycling. ”
Even as the pain worsened, his dream of competing in the Ironman World Championships was within reach.
Although he admits he wasn't the fastest athlete of his generation, he qualified for the Legacy Program. Schmidt completed 12 Ironman races, completing at least one full race in each calendar year.
“So I qualified to compete in the Kona World Championships,” Schmidt said. “But ironically, in the last race 11 and 12 I was in a lot of discomfort. I really struggled. The way I walk in running and cycling has changed a lot. I love it. What used to be a lot of work has become even more difficult.”
He knew something had to change in order to go to Kona and compete in the 2024 World Championships.
“I knew I probably should have had surgery, and I think I should have taken action sooner,” Schmidt said. “I was ignoring what I knew was going to happen.”
In August 2023, Schmidt headed to UK Healthcare for the treatment he had been putting off. He was connected to Dr. Stephen Duncan, an orthopedic surgeon at UK Healthcare.
“In general, if your groin pain has been going on for more than six weeks, it's a good idea to see your doctor for tests and x-rays,” Duncan says. “If the radiographs do not give the answer, it is important to proceed with an MRI examination to further characterize the integrity of the cartilage. We can then determine whether preservation of the cartilage is possible or discuss alternative options.” You can.”
Duncan specializes in hip preservation and total hip replacement. As he studied Schmidt's case, he realized that he needed a hip replacement to continue performing at a high level with minimal pain.
“To be an elite endurance athlete, you must be able to train long distances in the pool and rack up the necessary miles on your bike or run,” Duncan said. “Chris was unable to train due to the pain and was unable to recover between training sessions. This could mean the end of his triathlete career if he does not receive proper treatment. I meant that.”
Fortunately, when Mr. Schmidt met Mr. Duncan, they hit it off right away.
“Dr. Duncan understood me, he understood that I was still a person who liked to be active,” Schmidt said. “He understood how excited I was about my work, and we had such a connection.”
Duncan understood Schmidt's goals and was dedicated to getting him back into competition.
“Based on my experience caring for other elite triathletes, I have seen them not only compete, but return to competition with the goal of being on the podium,” Duncan said. Ta. “As a former endurance athlete and avid exercise enthusiast, I know the thrill of being able to train and compete. Fixing Chris' hip will also help maintain his mental health. I knew it would be.”
Together they decided that surgery was necessary, but with the condition that Schmidt wanted to remain eligible for the Kona World Championship.
That year, he still needed to complete the Ironman. His planned timeline would mean he would only have seven months to recover from surgery and compete in another 140.6-mile triathlon.
“I asked Dr. Duncan if that was possible,” Schmidt said. “He told me multiple patient stories about different athletes and Ironman competitors who were able to overcome their injuries. It was encouraging and gave me the confidence to undergo surgery. is completed.”
On August 30, 2023, Schmidt underwent muscle-sparing, direct anterior hip replacement surgery. The replacement design will preserve rather than divide the Schmidt gluteal muscles. This is the traditional approach to surgery. Mr. Duncan knows that the gluteal muscles are important while running or cycling, so he has carefully designed a procedure that works best for Mr. Schmidt and his activity level.
“The triathlon community is a close-knit group and without being able to compete, Chris would have left the social network,” Duncan said. “It means so much to me to get people back to these activities and enjoy their lives. With the efforts of the nurses and surgical schedulers, we worked with Chris to help him heal and get the irons on. We have chosen the best date for the surgery so that he can resume training in time for the Man Championship.”
After the surgery, Schmidt thanked Duncan for his encouragement and dedication. He now has just seven months left to recover and train for the Texas Ironman. This race must be completed to qualify for the World Championship.
Duncan set a precise schedule for when Schmidt could resume certain training activities so as not to jeopardize his hip implant. Six months after his surgery, Duncan was allowed to push his body to its limits and no longer had any limitations.
In April, Schmidt arrived in Texas for the competition, but there were more struggles along the way. While Schmidt was rehabilitating his hip and training for his next Ironman, his mother became ill and Schmidt cared for her. She passed away in February.
“So I'm going to Texas in April with a pretty heavy heart,” Schmidt said. “When I arrived at the registration site, I was beginning to feel like what I had been through had come to an end.”
He crossed the finish line in Texas. He didn't need to set a record, just finish the race. He qualified for the world championship.
“Without the race in Texas, we wouldn't be able to go to Kona in 2024,” Schmidt said. “I know how to find the finish line. That's the goal I've always had. I just have to find the finish line.”
Now, come October 26th again, all Schmidt has to do is find the finish line at the 2024 Kona World Championships, where his friends and family will be waiting for him.
“All the other finish lines have passed, but this one is even more important. It's because of everyone who supported me that I got here,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt has completed 14 Ironman races since 2012. This will be Kona's 15th race. After the World Championships, Schmidt plans to enjoy a real relaxing vacation with loved ones in Hawaii.
“This race represents what I believe in: never giving up,” Schmidt said. “Crossing the finish line in Kona will be truly symbolic. I want to continue to be an example to others.”
Learn more about the Kona World Championship and watch Schmidt's matches live here.
