They set a self-imposed goal of 100,000 yards per 24-hour period. According to Larry, “We moved 50,000 yards to get an indication of what kind of material we would be dealing with.”Īmes won the project, requiring them to move 36 million yards in only 17 months to prevent significant liquidated damages.īut for Larry and Ames, that wasn’t good enough. They dug a huge test excavation and constructed a test fill. Tom and Larry Ames rented property adjacent to the new airport site and hauled several scrapers there. Most contractors thought they had no chance. Larry officially started at Ames Construction after high school, helping his father and uncle build the business from nothing.Īfter decades of hard work, Ames had the opportunity to bid on the new Denver International Airport project. Dick referred to Larry as his first employee. Larry, Dick’s thirteen-year-old son, idolized his dad and shadowed him every chance he had after school and on weekends. #betterdirtworldĭick Ames bought a 1953 Cat D8 bulldozer for $6,000 and started work in 1962.Īlthough he ran the business alone, Dick did not work alone. I’ve never had a cheering section at a race, but man, I don’t want to do another without it. The support of others can’t be understated… I raced alongside my friend Vid, and we had a group of close friends there to cheer us on. But I’ve learned that intentionally smiling or joking not only gives others around me a boost but helps my performance, too. Smile… During big races, most people look miserable. I’ve trained daily for years, and consistency is far superior to any complex training plan. Even if I was hurt, I didn’t want to DNF sitting down.Ĭonsistency wins… I didn’t do many long rides, runs, or swims to prepare. After evaluating my body and bike, I didn’t take a break, and I didn’t quit. I was tired and reached for my water bottle the wrong way. Get back up… I crashed on my bike around mile 100. Despite the temptation, I stuck to my plan, and my stomach held firm. But I knew if I drank or ate any of it, I’d jeopardize my race by hurting my stomach. Work the plan… Every aid station had Red Bull, coke, and many snacks. Every mile had a water station, so my job wasn’t to run a marathon it was to make it to the next water station. Instead, I focused on one mile at a time. If I thought about the reality of running 26.2 miles, I would’ve crumbled. One step at a time… After swimming 2.4 miles and cycling for 116, my body was worn. I wasn’t as trained as I could’ve been, but I had no doubt I’d finish strong. I finished because I believed I could… It was my first triathlon, bike race, open water swim, and bike ride over 60 miles. Every race reveals simple life lessons, and my recent Ironman was no different. I love endurance races because I learn so much about life in a highly condensed timeframe.
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