Feature Story

Heidi Videto is a lot like you... except she competes in Ironman Triathlons.

Growing up, Heidi's athletic endeavors were pretty much limited to field hockey. She played in high school, college and even after college for a while. Then like many of us, work soon took over and she stopped working out. But with such a healthy history, she quickly became bored with the sedentary scene and slowly but surely made her way back to the gym. Her trainer noticed that Heidi's fitness levels hadn't fallen as much as she'd feared, and suggested she work out with a goal in mind. She suggested that Heidi compete in an upcoming sprint triathlon.

She nearly spit out her sports drink.

So it was there, scared to death at the start of that very first event, that she received an outpouring of support that would force her to finish that first 750m swim, 20km bike and 5k run event.

"I wasn't just supported by friends and family, but by their friends and family too." It dawned on her that while this may be a race made up of individuals, it was actually a team sport and she'd always liked being on a team. So that very night, she signed up for two more sprint triathlons. Then in late 2007, a dear friend shared with Heidi that his 12-year-old daughter Robyn had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. A few months later Robyn passed away, just short of her 13th birthday. That changed everything.

By then, Heidi had already begun competing in Ironman triathlons, which comprise a 3.8 kilometer swim, 180 km bike ride, and a full 26.2 mile marathon run. So when a pal suggested she investigate the Janus Charity Challenge, a unique fundraising program for Ironman participants, she signed on right away hoping to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Now when she didn't feel like training, she'd actually push herself even harder because she was racing for Robyn. Robyn's life was cut short, and her death changed life for everyone around her. For Heidi it forced her to reevaluate her own. She'd been thinking about starting a business. Again, she found herself scared to death at the start line, but she went ahead and quit her much-loathed job, and set up shop in her basement. She would have never had the courage to do this prior to Robyn's passing. Robyn continues to push her on to what she hopes to accomplish. During training, she even pins a message to the back of her shirt to remind her, and those behind her, why she runs.

But that was before HonorBib™.

"When I heard about HonorBib, I thought immediately of the seed paper. There is so much energy collected in these race bibs by the end of any race. How amazing that would have been to be able to hand that over to Robyn's parents. They could plant it, and all the spirit in it, and watch those wildflowers grow as a beautiful reminder of Robyn's life." To date, Heidi continues to operate the business built in her basement. She looks forward to her next Ironman, and the HonorBib she'll wear to capture that day's energy for years to come.

HonorBib Feature Stories are written by Tracey Zeeck, writer extraordinaire and owner of bumbershoot, a branding company. Contact Tracey at tzeeck@aol.com.

We would love to hear how you honor those you love.