Each year, millions of "everyday" triathletes, runners, swimmers, and cyclists participate in races. While professional and top age group athletes win those races, everyday athletes compete for their own reasons, including personal achievement, to honor another person, or to raise funds for charity. The founder of cover my bum, an everyday athlete who participates for those same reasons, seeks to honor other everyday athletes who do the same.  And so, cover my bum Superstars are recognized at www.covermybum.com and are given a cover my bum towel personalized with their last name.

The first cover my bum Superstar, David Grushey, a self-professed couch potato, wanted to become a triathlete. When he made this choice in January 2008, he weighed 266lbs and could not run one block. He had never completed a race of any type or length.  In making a commitment to his health, David took on the challenge of the 5430 Sprint Triathlon in Boulder, Colorado, on June 15, 2008. 

In addition to the personal challenge, David wanted to honor his hero - his father.  He completed the 5430 Sprint Triathlon on Father's Day in honor of his dad, who passed away 15 years ago from lung cancer.  Because completing the triathlon was so important to him, David's mother and brothers flew in from Dallas, Texas and Seattle, Washington to watch him finish.  

David completed the 2008 5430 Sprint Triathlon in 2:14:36!  David progressed from being unable to run one block to swimming, biking, and running the entire race.  As of June 2008, David has shed 50lbs (in just six months!) and plans to complete an Olympic distance triathlon. 

Congratulations, David!