His Story
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Rudy lives by a simple motto: A Brave Heart is a Powerful Weapon. He was born with rare, multiple birth defects – a combination of crippling Pterygium Syndrome, a clubfoot, webbed fingers on both hands, and a cleft lip and palate. His legs would not straighten from the knee and he was forced to crawl or push himself in a wheelchair. While other kids played outside, Rudy sat and suffered. He was an eager little boy trapped in an imperfect body.
At age five, after 15 operations, he told his parents he wanted to move on; he would rather be a double amputee than continue to put up with what his life had become. He had both legs removed above the knee … and he's never looked back.The loss of his legs marked the beginning of his life. When Rudy was eight years old, he told the world he would swim in the 2004 Paralympic Games.
He was true to his word and brought home the Gold in the 200 Meter Individual Medley in 2004 and 2008, while shattering the world record for his class.
Rudy continues to swim as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Elite Team. He’s completed numerous triathlons individually and was the first bilateral above-knee amputee to finish an Ironman® 70.3 using a standard bike. Rudy has also won several prestigious awards, including the Arete Courage in Sports Award and the Casey Martin Award from Nike. His latest athletic aspiration – to be the first bilateral above-knee amputee to finish the Ford Ironman® World Championship this October in Kona, Hawaii!
Through his example, Rudy has mentored other amputee kids and helped CAF raise more than $21 million to ensure his challenged peers have the same opportunities as he did.
Featured Articles:
The O&P Edge, Nov. 2008: http://www.oandp.com/edge/issues/articles/2008-11_19.asp
RUDY's ROAD TO KONA
EVENT: FORD IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
DATE: OCTOBER 10, 2009
LOCATION: KONA, HAWAII
WHO: RUDY GARCIA-TOLSON
AGE: 20
GOAL: TO BE THE FIRST BILATERAL ABOVE-KNEE AMPUTEE TO COMPLETE THE EVENT
  
photo 1 & 3: Tim Mantoani
RUDY IS ON THE ROAD TO THE FORD IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN KONA. IF RUDY MEETS HIS GOAL, HE WILL BE THE FIRST BILATERAL ABOVE-KNEE AMPUTEE TO COMPLETE THIS
GRUELING EVENT.
WE WILL BE ASKING RUDY THREE QUESTIONS EACH WEEK OR SO TO SEE HOW HIS TRAINING IS GOING, WHERE HE IS TRAVELING TO AND WHAT IT TAKES TO PREPARE FOR THE 2.4 MILE SWIM, 112 MILE BIKE, AND 26.2 MILE RUN THAT LIES AHEAD OF HIM.
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOUR WOULD LIKE TO ASK RUDY? SEND IT TO ONE OF THE PLACES LISTED BELOW AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO MAKE IT ONE OF HIS WEEKLY THREE.
1.) Email us at caf@challengedathletes.org with "Ask Rudy" in the subject line.
2.) Follow us at www.twitter.com/cafoundation and post your question there.
October 2 , 2009 - ENTRY 8
QUESTION #1
CAF: WITH JUST ONE WEEK LEFT, HOW ARE YOU FEELING LEADING UP TO THE EVENT?
RTG: With just a few days left, I am excited! After all of the time I spent training, I finally get to race the big one.
QUESTION #2:
CAF: WILL YOU BE ABLE TO GET SOME TRAINING TIME IN WHILE YOU ARE IN HAWAII PRIOR TO THE EVENT?
RTG: I plan on riding some of the course and maybe a little running, but nothing long. I will be enjoying a nice morning swim everyday that I am out there.
QUESTION #3
CAF: WHAT IS THE PART THAT YOU ARE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT THE IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE NOT AS EXCITED ABOUT?
RTG: I am looking forward to starting the race. Once that happens I will be able to get into my groove and go. The run is looking challenging, especially with a sore stump, but I will be alright!
September 24 , 2009 - ENTRY 7
QUESTION #1
CAF: WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR TRANING?
RTG: Last couple of weeks I have been training out on the Green River Trail. Last weekend I rode about 160 miles and felt really good during my rides.
QUESTION #2:
CAF: BLOG READER, CHRIS GLOSSNER WROTE IN TO "ASK RUDY", HERE IS HIS QUESTION... "LOOKING AHEAD TO KONA, FOR SOMEONE WITH YOUR CHALLENGES WHICH OF THE 3 EVENTS POSES THE TOUGHEST CHALLENGE FOR YOU AND WHY?"
RTG: For me, the bike will be the hardest part. I get all of my power from my butt muscles, so hills tire me out a lot more quickly than most people. I think we would all love to see good weather for the event, but I am always prepared for the extra challenge of it being a windy one.
QUESTION #3
CAF: WHAT DO YOU HAVE COMING UP THIS WEEKEND FOR TRAINING?
RTG: This weekend I am planning on a long run, maybe about 20 miles. Also looking to get a ride in, only 2 weeks until Kona!
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September 9 , 2009 - ENTRY 6
QUESTION #1
CAF: IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS SINCE WE LAST CHECKED IN, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO FOR TRANING?
RTG: Last couple of weeks I have been riding long. I was out riding with Bob Babbitt in Pine Valley and then did a few workouts out in the desert with 111 degree weather.
QUESTION #2:
CAF: HAVE YOU HIT ANY PLATEAUS IN YOUR TRAINING? OR HAS YOUR PROGRESSION BEEN CONSISTENT?
RTG: The progression in my training has been very consistent. Every week I feel stronger on the bike and the run.
QUESTION #3
CAF: WHAT IS UP NEXT FOR TRAINING?
RTG: This weeks it's going to be more long rides. I am hoping to get some rides in with David Bailey and then make it out to the desert a few more times. Only 4 more weeks to Kona!
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AUGUST 20 , 2009 - ENTRY 5
QUESTION #1
CAF: HOW DID TRAINING IN THE DESERT GO LAST WEEKEND?
RTG: Training in the desert last weekend was awesome. It was super hot (triple digits!) and really windy, so it gave me a good challenge. We road about 50 miles.
QUESTION #2:
CAF: DO YOU HAVE A TIME GOAL THAT YOU ARE WORKING TOWARDS FOR KONA ?
RTG: No goal time set yet. For me it's gonna be about finishing.
QUESTION #3
CAF: TO KEEP IN LINE WITH THE USUAL 3RD QUESTION, WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND ?
RTG: More training out in the desert. I think it is the best place to train because of the heat and the wind. It is almost like Hawaii.
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AUGUST 12 , 2009 - ENTRY 4
QUESTION #1
CAF: HOW DID THE BIKE RIDE GO WITH DAVID BAILEY LAST WEEKEND?
RTG: It was good. David and I did a little 60 mile ride last weekend which was really helpful. That guy is a beast!
QUESTION #2:
CAF: WE ALL HAVE DAYS WHEN IT IS HARD TO GET OUT AND TRAIN, WHAT HELPS TO KEEP YOU MOTIVATED?
RTG: What helps to keep me motivated? Finishing Ironman. I visualize myself on the Queen K highway, feeling very comfortable and relaxed. Knowing that it is going to it is going to be a long day, but also knowing that I have had longer.
QUESTION #3
CAF: WHAT ARE YOU TRAINING PLANS FOR THE UPCOMING WEEKEND?
RTG: This coming weekend I am going out to the desert and get in some good, long, hot rides.
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AUGUST 5 , 2009 - ENTRY 3
QUESTION #1
CAF: WHAT DID YOU DO FOR TRAINING LAST WEEKEND ?
RTG: Last week I had a swim meet in Canada and I did not have my bike, so I went for long runs in between sessions.
QUESTION #2:
CAF: HAVE YOU LEARNED IN YOUR TRAINING LATELY THAT YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN A LONG TIME AGO?
RTG: i have been working on my nutrition lately and it is getting much better, but I wish that I was better at it awhile back.
QUESTION #3
CAF: WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR TRAINING THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND?
RTG: This weekend I plan on doing a long bike ride with David Bailey and also trying to get in a nice long run.
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JULY 29, 2009 - ENTRY 2
Rudy at Accenture ParaTriathlon Nat'l Championships
Photo: brightroom.com
QUESTION #1
CAF: HOW DID THE PARATRIATHLON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS GO IN NEW YORK?
RTG: The tri went really well. I finished in just over 3 hours and felt great. When I woke up in the morning, it was pouring rain, but luckily it ended before the race started.
QUESTION #2:
CAF: WAS THERE ANY MOMENT OR PART OF THE RACE THAT WAS EXTRA DIFFICULT OR REWARDING?
RTG: The only semi-difficult part of the race was the bike. There were major puddles on the course, so trying to get out of the way of those was a small challenge.
QUESTION #3
CAF: WHAT WAS YOUR TRAINING LIKE FOR THIS EVENT?
RTG: My training didn't really change for the NYC Tri. I was still riding long and doing everything for Ironman training which made the race seem short and easy!
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JULY 22, 2009 - ENTRY 1
QUESTION #1
CAF: ARE YOU NERVOUS ABOUT KONA?
RTG: I am very excited about Kona, but the nervousness hasn't really kicked in yet.
QUESTION #2:
CAF: WHAT DID YOU DO FOR TRAINING LAST WEEKEND ?
RTG: Last week I was in Colorado springs for my coaches memorial, so I wasn't fully training...I swam about 10 miles and ran about 25 miles.
QUESTION #3
CAF: WHAT DO YOU HAVE COMING UP THIS WEEKEND?
RTG: This weekend I will be doing the New York City Triathlon...I have never done the full thing before so I am excited about it this year.
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