Completing an Olympic distance triathlon is a major accomplishment. Sunday thousands came to St. Pete to compete in the St. Anthony Triathlon. They swam close to a mile in the open Gulf, rode a bike 25 miles on a crowed race course,then finished with a 10K run. As formidable as that accomplishment is, some of the competitors overcame challenges that would make the triathlon seem like a walk in the park.

Matt Bigos, a 24 year old from Solana Beach, Calif., was a professional motorcycle racer and mechanic. In 2003, he nearly died in a car accident. Doctors determined he had injured his spinal cord, leaving him with no feeling below his chest. Bigos was told he would never walk again. Five months later he was taking steps with crutches. He has completed 3 Ironman events.

Quinn Simons, a 33 year old from Sante Fe, N.M. was attempting to climb a remote 23,000 foot peak in Tibet when a blizzard hit. Snowbound for days, he suffered severe frostbite and lost both feet and all his fingers. Last year he was inspired by an Army veteran who completed the Ironman in Hawaii. Simons has completed four triathlons.

Tricia Downing, a 37 year old from Denver was a road and track cyclist until 8 years ago when a car turned in front of her while she was training and shattered her back. She was paralyzed. Downing was determined to continue cycling; she turned to a handcycle. In 2005 she became the first wheelchair racer to finish a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run in a triathlon in Oklahoma City.

Ryan Levinson of Tampa was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a progressive disease that has no cure. In 2004 he made it to the Paralympics in Athens. though he beat all the "below the knee" amputees, he didn't make the team. They ruled he wasn't disabled enough. He has completed more than 20 triathlons. He hopes to bring attention to "invisible athletes" whose disabilities are not as obvious as a missing limb.

Reading about these amazing people is inspiring. If attitudes are truly contagious I hope I catch theirs. They demonstrate an awesome "can do" attitude; believing in possibilities despite the facts and odds that say otherwise.