Stephan Lips's Story
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| Stephan Lips | |
| Stephan Lips | |
| Texas | |
| Austin | |
| Triathlon |
My Story
| Accident | |
| 02/28/2007 | |
| Hit by motorcycle running a red light at 60 mph while on a training ride. Torn ACL, LCL, PCL, broken fibula, fractured tibia, lateral meniscus injury in left knee. | |
| I live in Austin, TX, with my dear wife Stephanie of 15 years, and my lovely children Kevin (8) and Annika (5). I am a musician-turned-software engineer, and triathlete in my spare time. | |
| On February 28, 2007, while on a training ride, I was hit by a motorcyclist who was running a red light at over 60 mph. A split-second saved my life, yet I was badly injured. My left knee was 'the biggest mess I have seen in a long time' (quote from surgeon), voiding all ambitions towards racing in 2007, all my existing race entries went unused. The prognosis was that due to the severity of the injuries I would not be able to run again until 2008, slowly getting back into exercise during 2007, but not competitively.
On March 16, Dr. Kilbride from Austin Bone & Joint performed reconstructive knee surgery. The following months were marked by countless days filled with pain, nights without sleep, prescription painkillers, unable to hold or play with my children, drive myself, or perform any of the mundane yet necessary tasks of daily life. In the wink of an eye a race-winning body had been transformed into a body I did not want to live in anymore. Not willing to accept it, I took the prognosis of time needed for recovery as a challenge. Spent every available minute on the bike trainer (single-legged, soon as allowed with the other leg in Birkenstocks 'along for the ride' so it got some movement). Swam as much as the surgeon would let me. Attacked Physical Therapy like the Alpe d'Huez. On April 29, a close friend who is a surgeon commented on how well my recovery was developing. This encouraging comment came at a particular low point, as I was still on crutches and highly dependent on others. So that night, after a few margaritas, I decided to set a goal that would keep my spirits up, keep me focused and prove everybody else wrong. The Seabiscuit Challenge, after the movie Seabiscuit I had seen a few weeks earlier. I committed myself to racing (not just finishing) a half Ironman in October '07, an improbably 7 months after surgery. With that goal in mind, I set out to work. Enlisted the help of my old friend Lothar Heinrich who was T-Mobile's team doctor for 12 years. Drove my surgeon and physical therapist crazy with daily inquiries on how far exactly I could push things without affecting the recovery process negatively. Gained the support of Nike (Vision and Timing Division) for equipment. Returned to a 2x/day training regimen. In May '07, I started participation in Run-Far's bi-monthly Time Trials. In July '07, I was cleared to start running again, although with a brace and on the treadmill. By August '07, I was back on the street running, building miles. In October 2007, I raced the Longhorn Half Ironman in Austin, coming in 4th in my age group, turning the 3rd fastest bike split of the day. A mere 2.5 minutes seperated me from third place; it was not until 10 miles into the run that I got passed by the eventual third place finisher. Three weeks later, I raced the Ironstar Half Ironman in Conroe, TX. Again finished 4th in my age group, this time a scant 12 seconds kept me from the podium. The third place finisher passed me with .5 miles to go. At that point I felt I could keep up and beat him, but did not have the confidence that my knee would hold up, so I played it safe and let him go. In April 2008, I qualified for the US national team at the Lonestar Half Ironman in Galveston, TX. August 2008 saw me race for the USA in the long course ITU world championship in Almere, Netherlands, where I took 29th place. I qualified again for the national team in the spring of 2009, racing the long course ITU world championship in Perth, Australia, finishing in 13th place. I still do not have full range of motion in my left leg, yet the recovery is as complete as it gets for a 41-year old. In November 2009, an MRI of the left knee showed no degredation, I am hopeful to have a few more years of racing ahead of me, and be able to keep up with my growing and ever-faster children. |
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| Believe in yourself. Set goals, and never give up. A quote from Jack London that I picked up during my teenage years continues to be a guiding light: I'd rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. | |
| My family. |
I Will Again
I Will Again (Goals) |
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| Continue racing domestically and internationally. Break into the top 10 at a world championship. | |
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