The sound itself would’ve sent a chill down anyone’s spine within earshot.
Duke Becker heard it and quickly looked back to see what might have caused such a snapping sound as he ran alongside Peaman during the 3.1-mile segment at May’s swim-run biathlon. Becker was sure he stepped on a branch.
It surprised Peaman, too, as he asked Becker, “what was that?” But there was no branch, and immediately Peaman was forced to stop running and then sat on the pavement. He couldn’t move and while holding his lower left leg, an eerie realization set in.
After years of struggling with varying health issues that left the four-time Ironman World Championship finisher with a severely reduced bone density, merely running caused his bone to fracture in two places on his left leg tibia. While the pain was excruciating, Peaman recalled it was the sound that was unforgettable “almost like a broomstick breaking.”
“Last year I broke five bones and this year, it was the first bone I fractured. But it’s no big deal. It’s not new for me as it’s something I experience on a frequent basis just from the past things with my health.”
His determination not to be relinquished to the spectator box at varying swim-bike-run events immediately transitioned Peaman into a new man on a mission – a man now on crutches who was motivated to be proactive toward full recovery.
He participated on a relay competing in the 1.2-mile swim segment at the recent Ironman 70.3 Hawaii two weeks ago that led his team to a second place finish, and then crutched his way up the sandy beach at last weekend’s Hapuna Rough Water 1-Mile Open Water swim race to win his age-group.
And so it was no surprise to see Peaman treading the tranquil waters of Kaiakeakua Beach at the mass swim start of Sunday’s Papa Pea’s Sizzling Summer Sprint Biathlon – featuring a ½-mile swim and 3.1-mile run – as both he and his dad wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
“We are celebrating my dad’s birthday which is why this event is called Papa Pea’s Sizzling Summer Sprint,” Peaman said. “His birthday was June 6 and he passed away in 2014 when he was 79 years old. So today he would’ve been 84 and I think he would’ve been super proud of me using the crutches for the 3.1-mile run because that’s probably something he would’ve done.”
Several fond memories Peaman had of his dad often involved the late Dr. Frank Ferren who would utilize some creativity to get the father and son duo back on the starting line.
“Dr. Frank would use tape, duck tape, screws – just whatever needed to be done to keep us moving,” he said. “So I think Frank and my dad would’ve been stoked to see me clump along with my crutches like a Gimpy Pea.
“And I think for my dad, Ironman was really the highlight of everything. I think the time we both did Ironman together in 1989 and 1994, and just having that bond of being out there together, those Ironman days with my dad were always fun. So today is about celebrating my dad and he will always be with us as we scattered some of his ashes right here at Kaiakeakua Beach.”
After the splashing, dashing, and crutching was done and over with, it was Vaclav Seifert who topped the podium winning his fourth overall victory in a blazing time of 33 minutes and 16 seconds.
Recent Kealakehe High School graduate, Josiah Randerson, kept it close to finish in second at 33:39, with Kailua-Kona’s Dan Gampon in third at 35:35.
Top wahine was none other than Mercedes DeCarli who crossed the finish line in a fabulous time of 41:15. Emily Gallagher followed in second at 42:29, with a finned Lori Montgomery rounding out the podium with her time of 43:12.
While Duke Becker and Alec Ankrum teamed up to take the Split Peas relay title with their combined time of 32:32, others like Austin Randerson and Kiana Wiley decided to just run and swim and topped their divisions with times of 25:27 and 13:21 respectively.
Top LavaKids PeaWee honors for the event that featured a 200-yard swim and 1-mile run went to Kyle Randerson and Samantha Dodson with their times of 13:48 and 16:06. Kayah Lieto won the 1-mile run in a time of 8:13, and Pixel (swim) and Ajax (run) easily claimed the K-9 relay division with their time of 18:04.
Longtime events timer, Jim Lovell with JTL Timing, also turned out on Sunday to splash and dash his way to the finish line in a time of 57:29.
“I remember it was Mother’s Day 1990 Peaman being the first race I ever timed,” Lovell said. “Since then, I probably timed the event for about 20 years. “But I’m here today because my daughter dragged me out here – she makes me do it. Yes, my 16-year old says, ‘Dad is getting too old and getting too fat.’ So I have to get in shape and that’s why I’m out here.”
At the end of the morning, the Perpetual Pea was passed on to Big Island’s popular race announcer, triathlete and BioAstin Ambassador, Eddie-O Ombac – an honor bestowed over the last 32 years on individuals or families who represents love, family, friendships and the spirit of aloha for the Big Island community.
For Peaman, his fun, free, family-oriented biathlon events are everything, and he plans to persevere until he is back in top shape.
“I just love it – it’s so much fun. If no one was around I’d probably be doing the same thing anyway because I just love it. On Peaman days I just love being with everybody. From the teenagers, the little kids, the older folks. Today was probably more fun than running fast because I got to cheer for other people and a lot louder than normal. It’s the best and soon I won’t need crutches anymore.”
Coming Up
Saturday: Lavakids Trail Runs and Peacock Scavenger 5K will be held at the Makalei Golf Club. Onsite registration will begin at 7 a.m. for the free Keiki Dash, 1-mile, 2-mile, and 5K run/walk. There will be an optional $15 entry fee for the scavenger hunt with a portion of the proceeds donated to Kona Kids Outreach. To register online or for more information visit lavakids.org.
Saturday: The second annual Rainbow Run 5K, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, will take place at My Bar Kona at 5 p.m.. To register email online@mybarkona.com.