In 2008, after I had finished Ironman Florida, I started training with Speed Source Athletics in Tampa. Mark Gochenour, the owner and mastermind behind SSA, trains a number of pro athletes and there was just something special about going to train with him. Mark became more than a trainer. He became a great friend. One day, Mark asked me if I followed Indy car racing at all and if I knew of a guy named Dan Wheldon.
Dan had contacted Mark and was looking for a training center to help him get stronger and fitter for the upcoming season. I knew about Dan even though I wasn’t an avid fan. I am a casual race fan and I had seen him on TV, always smiling and just seemed to be having fun. A couple weeks later, I got the chance to meet Dan for the first time and my impression from seeing him on TV was spot on. Dan was a tremendously easy-going guy. He was constantly smiling and very funny.
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| Dan post- work out with Mark. This is how we all felt after working out with Mark. |
During my time with Mark, I had the privilege to work out and chat with Dan numerous times. I’ll always remember one session where we were alternating speed drills. I was pushing hard and Dan was standing next to the treadmill shouting encouragement. When I was done, I just thought to myself: Wow. Dan is a professional race car driver. An Indy 500 WINNER. And he is standing here cheering me on to push those last few seconds.
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| Dan and Mark (Dan smiling as always). |
After I left Tampa, I would check in with Mark and always asked about Dan. There was something about Dan that stays with you. When I would watch him race, it felt like I was watching a big brother. I wanted to be in the cockpit with him, to give him that encouragement to go a bit harder and to will him in at the end, just as he had done for me. Most of all, Dan was a regular guy getting to do what he loved and enjoyed sharing it with others. He never knew the impact he had on me but I am going to miss him terribly.
Goodbye Dan. Rest in Peace.
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