Every so often I hear about former pro cyclist Saul Raisin achieving a new goal that amazes me. The 25-year-old from Dalton, Georgia, is truly an inspiration.
Judged one of the rising stars on the pro peloton, Saul crashed in a race in Italy in 2006 and suffered a traumatic brain injury. He fell into a coma that required brain surgery. He underwent months of rehabilitation.
That hasn't stopped him from continuing to ride his bicycle, although now he rides for charity and not profit. This past weekend he added a new pursuit, running, to his resume and completed the New York City Marathon.
He told CyclingNews recently:
“I always say that sports are part of our lives. Cycling will always be a part of my life. But I am not going to risk my life racing. It is not worth risking another big hit to my head. It is time to move on.”
Although team doctors said he was OK to ride, everyone decided another head injury could prove disastrous.
His main charity is the Raisin Hope Foundation. He launched it to support brain injury research, provide information about recovery to individuals and families, and promote awareness and understanding of brain injury disabilities.
The foundation's big fund-raiser is the Raisin Hope Weekend bike ride in early October, which this year raised $30,000.
Raisin has completed a book co-written with Dave Shields entitled “Tour de Life: from coma to competition,” and he's been taking motivational speaking classes.
He ran the New York City Marathon on Saturday to prepare for the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii next year. His official in the New York event was 4:27:10. Other former pro cyclists at the race included Stephen Roche (winner of 1987 Tour de France) and Jeff Pierce.
It's great to see that Raisin doesn't give up. That, and his upbeat attitude, makes him such an inspirational story. I'm looking forward to his Ironman in Hawaii next year.
More about Saul Raisin's comeback
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