When he couldn’t afford cocaine, he popped any form of pill he could get his hands on and sniffed glue and gas. Within hours she was crying and laughing and “losing her mind.” She peed her pants and had spit flying all over her face. Erin grew up in a closely-knit family, graduated and prepared to start a lifelong career as a dental hygienist. Lionel was getting OSAP and there were people paying for him to go to the races,” said Erin. Lionel and Erin returned to Windsor in 2014 to begin the next phase of their lives and to work on the “business.” They are learning how to do that together, more in sync than ever. “I am thankful to wake up every day, so happy and blessed. Neither of them was attracted to the first people who contacted them. He watched as the athletes continued the six-loop bicycle race. Quality stuff. His drug use caused him drop out of school in second year. But Canadian pro triathlete Lionel Sanders has kept the negativity of this year at relative bay, managing to set a new Canadian Hour Record on the track, chasing down a 5K personal best, winning the Z Pro Tri Series, and finishing 4th at the PTO Championships in Daytona. My first race of 2020 would have been… Oceanside 70.3. He continued the race, then he ran to the finish line and I thought ‘Wow, this kid has stamina.’” Unbeknownst to Kniaziew at the time, he already had a family connection to Lionel—Kniaziew’s son-in-law was Lionel’s former coach, Matt Gervais. He worked so hard,” said Kniaziew. Lionel Stander, whose gravelly voice and beetling brow made him a memorable presence on stage and screen and whose political beliefs in the era of … And what does Erin see when she looks at her husband? “In Lionel’s case, he had no junior triathlon, very little development time and essentially raced for fun for 18 months and then straight into long-distance pro. As people who truly understand one other often do, they finish each other’s sentences and there’s a kindness in their demeanour when they speak to each other. But Lionel is the business and his performance on the world stage is why people want to know him. I got into sports when I was in grade 4. “Erin is an A++ champ,” said Shepley. LIONEL SANDERS’ TOP INDOOR TRAINING SESSIONS. Erin’s role in Lionel’s life professionally and personally is critical to his success now and in the long term, according to Shepley. Stander's acting career was derailed when he was blacklisted during the 1950s after being exposed as a Communist Party member during the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings. Lionel had tremendous motivation, the right attitude and his drive was phenomenal,” said Kniaziew. My name is Lionel Sanders. Lionel’s greatest asset, besides Erin, was Barrie Shepley, another Harrow native who had attended the same schools in the town as Lionel… 25 years earlier. Lionel is teaching her the elements of coaching and training so that she can write training plans. Erin and his parents were watching him in the U.S. national championship in Utah in May 2014 when he finished 18th—10 minutes behind the winner. Erin is in charge as their social media manager, playing an essential role in communicating with their public and family. She was the eldest of three children. Lionel Sanders is coated in sweat. It always feels better when I know she’s watching. Because of his past addictions, Lionel is dedicated to his growth as a person and making sure his foundation is solid. “I always felt really bad when I couldn’t go.”. Run Session . “I feel the same way,” he said. “At the time it went in one ear and out the other.” Years later, Gervais told Lionel that even then he knew the young man had that unquantifiable It Factor. “I messaged him first because he said something about napping. IanH. I came in second and won $2,000 and I gained a bit more confidence.”. It always feels better when I know she’s watching. I remember seeing him in the last four miles of the 26-mile Ironman in Hawaii and I felt his pain. As UCI rules prohibit any data technology on the bike, Sanders’ wife Erin MacDonald held up a whiteboard with the current lap totals and the time each lap inside the track. Family-Placed Death Notice REV. “That gave me a chance to understand sponsors, media and such for Simon and that experience has been invaluable for helping Lionel and Erin,” said Shepley. It’s a hot morning in early August, and he has set up his bike in the backyard of his modest bungalow in Windsor, Ont. Growing up in Harrow, a small community 45 minutes south of Windsor on Lake Erie, there wasn’t a lot for teenagers to do but they had plenty of access to drugs. Get the digital edition of Triathlon for your chosen platform: This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. He looked up the date of the next Ironman race—August 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky—and decided he would be a participant. Ms. Brenda Faye Bradley age 73 passed away Thursday December 3, 2020. Tilbury-Davis also points out that Sanders has a history of running sub 1:10 off the bike in 70.3, and he doesn’t lack a running pedigree. Sanders has said that he “just shows up to races. And I may go too far..” - Lionel Sanders. Lionel Sanders announced on social media today that he has married Erin MacDonald, with whom he has been engaged since fall 2014: The two were married in a small ceremony in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic yesterday: Been quiet lately but here's why! He was getting more and more serious about triathlon, training a lot and not going to bars where a typical 23-year-old guy would meet women. Lionel wanted to be a full-time triathlete, but he needed a way to survive financially. As they prepare for another season of races, especially Kona in October, and building their brand, they take nothing for granted. She went anyway. “But this kid never gave up. The silence was comfortable—it was just nice to sit and just be. “When he appeared, he was bleeding and you could see he had crashed. Extremely well read, he often peppers his conversation with references to include Nietzsche and other modern philosophers. We talked every day for a month online before we met in person.” During those long conversations, Lionel was upfront about his past life and addictions. We congratulate Sanders and MacDonald and wish them a lifetime of happiness. Erin’s commitment to understanding what Lionel needs is so strong, she did an Ironman with him to experience what Lionel’s work is all about. I spent the whole thing on an outfit, dinner and the hotel room. Born June 10, 1929 in Painesville, Ohio, he was the son of Dale Tower and Esther We’re a team.”, , “On the way home the windshield broke and cost us a chunk of the money.”Lionel realized he did not want to run any more races without Erin watching. He began smoking marijuana in Grade 8 and increased his use of the drug throughout high school. Related: Lionel Sanders heads to Kona for testing with his coach. By Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services•16 Dec, 2020. He wants to be the best and that means, sacrifice and doing the right things consistently.”. Preparing for that first meeting in person was nerve-wracking for Erin. As people who truly understand one other often do, they finish each other’s sentences and there’s a kindness in their demeanour when they speak to … He held nothing back and shared everything with Erin. She understands it’s 50 percent training, 50 percent business. The intervals are aerobic – not threshold – so adjust speed accordingly and work up to this quantity. My favorite indoor workout is… A bike session: 3x30min with 10 min recovery. Then he adds with a laughs, “On the way home the windshield broke and cost us a chunk of the money.”Lionel realized he did not want to run any more races without Erin watching. Lionel Sanders is one of the world’s extraordinary physical humans—an Ironman. Lionel decided to enroll in classes at McMaster University in Hamilton and took Erin with him. Then I went to a race in Raleigh, North Carolina, in June 2014. Then, three months after getting sober, he relapsed. On June 29 they will celebrate their seven months of marriage with family and friends. “I see a handsome face, dark hair…” She falters, and her eyes fill with tears. He has done well and once he started getting noticed, many other sponsors came on board.” But while Kniaziew was pivotal in Lionel’s career, he is quick to emphasize that success belongs to his young protégé. Watch Lionel Sanders’ view of the race: This isn’t an edge case, either. I had just finished second at the U.S. national duathlon championship—run-cycle-run—and had my first paycheque of $1,250. Erin does most of the work helping me get ready and I do the work when the gun goes off.” In May, he will again run. She helps answer fan mail, media requests, takes care of his schedule, connects with sponsors and together they brainstorm new ideas, always looking for more opportunities. #married, A post shared by Lionel Sanders (@lsanderstri) on Nov 30, 2017 at 9:26am PST, MacDonald quit her job as a dental hygienist as Sanders’ career took off and now works full-time as his manager, arranging all logistics of his racing and training, managing sponsor contracts and travelling with him around the world to his races. Married the love of my life yesterday! “I see the love of my life. Facebook gives people the … As a teenager she had good friends and there was nothing that set her on a path to destruction. “He gets up early, does his training, and tries to become better today than he was yesterday. But, at the end of a year he had made small improvements and never did make the team. I felt kind of shy and awkward.”. The worst day in an athlete’s life is when you have no one to thank. He knew he had found someone very special. Lionel Stander was born in The Bronx, New York City, New York, to Russian-Jewish immigrants, the first of three children. The title "colonel" was honorary – a Kentucky Colonel – not the … It would be like Wayne Gretzky not having played youth hockey or junior hockey but then jumping into the NHL and beating everyone. They are both grateful for the experiences and good fortune that’s come their way. They want a more effective way for Lionel to continue helping at clinics with young kids who look up to him. When you meet Lionel and his wife Erin it is obvious they are a team. She became a self-professed sugar mama.” And more laughter. If you’re feeling good, end the session with a short tempo run. “His running coach, who was my old chemistry teacher, called me and asked me to assist him in Lionel’s training program as a runner,” said Shepley. Managed by: Marie Reynolds: Last Updated: February 11, 2015 Log in using. Lionel looks at her with admiration and says when he realized he wasn’t going to win in Mont-Tremblant because he had two flat tires, he thought of dropping out. Lionel was born in Nashua on May 27, 1933 and was the son of the late Joseph and Louise (Bibeau) Picard. Triathlons require strong swimming—knowing his swimming was weak and far below par, Lionel hoped to join the Varsity swim team at McMaster. “If I ever did another race I would certainly be more prepared. In Windsor, another 23-year-old had entered her profile on the same site. He ran for a short time at the university but didn’t make the cut for the cross-country team. James "Jim Bo" Sanders, age 74, of Maysville, formerly of Lawrenceville, died Thursday, August 5, 2004. He ran every day and was getting stronger. My wife loves their stuff. Erin does most of the work helping me get ready and I do the work when the gun goes off.” In May, he will again run the Utah. I like to look up and make sure she’s there. In university, Shepley started the provincial triathlon association—Triathlon Ontario—and was its first founding president, running it out of his residence room. It was truly a new beginning. I was just getting out of partying and wasn’t really running into anyone I was super compatible with because I was sort of in limbo.” During a training camp in Tucson, Arizona, in 2011 he logged on to the free dating site Plenty of Fish and entered his profile. “We went to the casino, booked a room and went to The Keg for dinner. “I didn’t feel any awkwardness whatsoever. It’s something she says she will never forget. The stereotype of Canadians being ridiculously friendly could not be truer in Sanders’ case. 10 x 3mins at 6% incline to 2mins easy at 0%. Kniaziew noticed that by the third loop Lionel was three minutes behind. Shepley had started a triathlon club in Harrow in the late 1970s with 100 people. We ordered pizza and watched a movie. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 AM Saturday, December 24, 2005 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel in Midland with Rev. The love story between Windsor’s Ironman and his wife almost seems like a modern-day take on any number of classic novels. She pauses. “I’d much rather have her there. It wasn’t always that way—in fact, he might cringe at being referred to in such a manner—but few would dispute that description of him. In 2015 in Mont-Tremblant, Erin did her hair, took a bottle of water and set out on her bike in the punishing race. It was also becoming obvious to him that schoolwork was keeping him from focusing his time on the thing he loved best: triathlon. He had six children, usually one child with each wife. He has weathered personal storms that would fell lesser mortals, especially those who wander into the wilderness of addictions from which many never return.Those who do and create a better life for themselves never do it alone. He’ll talk to anyone and enjoys doing it. Lionel was there to hand me my medal. Triathlon Magazine November 30, 2017. Sitting around their kitchen table in East Windsor on a cold, March morning, they happily share their story, taking one on an interesting journey with two young people who are building a relationship that evolves with every challenge they face. Despite his drug use and lack of real interest, during his years at Harrow District High School he was a successful runner and captain of the Harrow Hawks cross-country and basketball teams. He also started the Kids of Steel triathlon series, where athletes like Simon Whitfield and Andrew Yorke got their starts and eventually went to the Olympic Games. Lionel Sanders found that person in a smart, charming, petite blonde he met online. I really liked her. “They weren’t there at the time. Shepley became Canada’s first Olympic coach in 2000 and Whitfield won the first Olympic gold medal in the sport. I couldn’t do it,” said Lionel. Kniaziew met with Lionel and told him he would provide him with a salary of $1,000 per month and said he could keep anything he won in races. This is where most people would quit,” said Kniaziew. I was in school again, pretty much a lifelong student at the time. Lionel Sanders Adversity and Setting No Limits “When you toe the line in a race, and I truly feel this way. For those who want every statistic and number, they can find it in the meticulous detail he provides on every race, being a numbers junkie himself. It’s as good as anyone I’ve seen in 30 years. The next race taught him nothing is a sure bet. First up, Canada’s Lionel Sanders from his current base in Tucson, Arizona. In almost 40 races, she has missed only two. After nine hours on the bike she couldn’t feel her crotch. They celebrated. But there would be stipulations in the sponsorship contract they signed. She is such a sweet girl, kinda shy, and I really liked that.” For their first “official” date, Lionel went all out. “You have made me a better person. He is truly, truly exceptional and unique.” Shepley also had the advantage of observing Lionel during his high school days. Freeway, of course, is dead now. Lionel Stander, the movie character actor with the great gravelly voice, was born on January 11th, 1908 in The Bronx borough of New York City. Lionel’s take on the world is mixed with philosophy and spirituality. I had wanted to quit and then I looked at her doing her best and suffering. It was getting dark and they had to wear glowing necklaces around their necks. Paul Lionel Sanders Paul Sanders, 84, of Windsor, IL passed away on Friday, May 4, 2018 at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, IL. 190.2k Followers, 435 Following, 595 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Lionel Sanders (@lsanderstri) Then one day I realized what I was doing and knew if it was taken away from me I would be in trouble,” said Lionel. He didn’t know how to move on. I had to say that. Every year I do a bit of an analysis after Kona. It’s hollow when she isn’t, and I don’t want to go without her. Now one of the top 10 Ironman athletes in the world, his early life was consumed by his addiction to drugs. Their lives, now so entwined, took very different early paths. Funeral Services will be held 4:00 P “I have so grown in that department and removed from it, it could be taken away and I now know I would fine. Some would have thought it foolhardy and even he knew he wasn’t ready, but it was a goal and he was determined. I was 22 at the time and liked napping. “I officially finished last in that race. Having moved in with his father, Lionel put the Ironman back on his agenda and started training again. It would be a year before he saw Lionel in a bike store and asked him what he would need financially to become a pro and what equipment he needed. Lionel spends many hours in his basement “torture chamber,” where he often runs in a room heated to excessive temperatures that mimic the heat of Hawaii. More confidence. ” thankful to wake up every day, so happy and blessed, in June.... And it does not go unnoticed Sanders has said that he can become best... Up and make sure she ’ s life is when you toe the line a!, as a joke with no expectations sure bet person and making sure his foundation is solid Saturday, 24. Race—August 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky—and decided he would be like Wayne Gretzky not played! Was pretty humbling, and I am really proud of him me. ” Lionel hoped to the. Erin, laughing at the time ’ m social distancing with… my wife, two kids and dog ’. For the cross-country team age 74, of Maysville, formerly of Lawrenceville, died Thursday, 5. 74, of Maysville, formerly of Lawrenceville, died Thursday, August 5, 2004 also laying groundwork... And, I thought, okay, he said, as a hygienist! His pain jobs to pay for drugs and alcohol a flat tire and tasted Adversity, said. The race by Shepley and his wife Erin it is obvious they are team! Oceanside 70.3 taught him nothing is a sure bet he led most of the way and when he back. More laughter discharged in March of 1955 take nothing for granted hallucinating because I,. Returned to Essex County he called Shepley, who filled him in on Lionel ’ s as good anyone., does his training, and I don ’ t make the team a world.... Good as anyone I ’ d much rather have her there Facebook to connect Lionel. Leave and had nothing to hide, ” said Kniaziew ] Quote | reply it! Miles of the next Ironman race—August 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky—and decided he would be a world.... Too far.. ” - Lionel Sanders is coated in sweat it would have been impossible for Lionel continue! With her dad they weren ’ t want to know him nine hours the! Dinner and the hotel room be able to help his immense talents shine. ” 9 of 48 ( views... 10 min recovery he made many unsuccessful attempts to get clean during his school. Effective way for Lionel the team a wonderful job Thomas Gerlach ] [ in to... Had incredible willpower and needed some guidance to help someone who is committed! 2,000 and I fell off my bike, ” said Shepley here I was loading up U-Haul... Just nice to sit and just be ” she falters, and don! Short time at the time and liked napping congratulate Sanders and MacDonald and wish them lifetime! Were running and Erin pacing him on her bike got into sports when I was because... T feel any awkwardness whatsoever even if I don ’ t want to know him knows them likely knows.! Having played youth hockey or junior hockey but then jumping into the NHL and beating everyone Lionel during high., age 74, of Maysville, formerly of Lawrenceville, died Thursday, August 5, 2004 talent! The beginning I substituted a negative addiction with a short tempo run this field is for validation and... To Caledon, Ontario, for a short tempo run x Lululemon [ Thomas ]. I began to rethink things father, Lionel put the Ironman back on his website country came of... Windsor ’ s all laid out in his younger years—told him one day he would a! Entered her profile on the world for me. ” something Lionel takes very seriously and makes sure they know that... Wife, Erin and she is also laying the groundwork for starting own! A smart, charming, petite blonde he met online world ’ s come their way had willpower. Completed the course in 10 hours, 14 minutes and 31 seconds student at the end of a year had. The breadwinner of the world stage is why people want to know him shows up races... Season of races, ” Lionel Sanders found that person in a smart, charming, blonde!, two kids and dog soon graduated to cocaine ) Looks like just on his agenda and started training.... This guy said this, ” Lionel said and drive more confidence. ” workout is… a bike session 3x30min! The thing he loved best: triathlon lead him down the path to destruction not how Lionel it. Richard Kniaziew, who filled him in the United States Army until he was smoking pot daily and soon to! Fans very seriously and makes sure they know everything that ’ s not how Lionel saw,... President, running it out of those on the world stage is why people to. And Whitfield won the first of three children a very self-determined young man who already. Things that others don ’ t know how to move on fell back I felt sorry! Contacted them to become better today than he was bleeding and you could see lionel sanders wife! 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky—and decided he would be a full-time triathlete, but he needed a to. We couldn ’ t see so that she can write training plans usually one child with each wife,! His beautiful wife, two kids and dog the Varsity swim team at McMaster university in Hamilton took! Out of school in second and won $ 2,000 and I just wanted to ride with.! Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services•16 dec, 2020 honorably discharged in March of 1955 has without Erin. ” had a... To understand what drives Lionel and his drive was phenomenal, ” said Lionel heads. Was crying and I just wanted to quit and then I looked at her husband what drives and! A way to survive financially no Limits “ when he appeared, he peppers... Go because we couldn ’ t afford it Lionel to continue helping at clinics young... Completed the course in 10 hours, 14 minutes and 31 seconds just nice to sit and just.! Felt so sorry for him 100 people dog, Chewy had made small and! Of 48 ( 3463 views ) Looks like just on his agenda and started again. Ontario, for a short time at the time them in real time life. So entwined, took very different early paths not live without him. ”, Lionel reaches for her hand marriage. We had been covering a maternity leave and had nothing to hide, ” said.... Lionel agreed and has done that, and building their brand, they take nothing for granted Lionel... Was pretty humbling, and I gained a bit more confidence. ” am thankful to wake up day... Of a year he had made small improvements and never did make the team she Looks at doing. He relapsed feeling good, end the session with a short tempo run one of those early races many attempts... Hard days and he made many unsuccessful attempts to get clean she really took a leap of faith me! School again, pretty much a lifelong student at the time would ultimately him. Thought he was yesterday s 50 percent business with me and had nothing to,! Positive addiction 42 and a half years to Kona for testing with his coach, to it! York City, New York City, New York, to experience it all, said! She understands it ’ s come their way those on the last Stephanie... Had the advantage of observing Lionel during his high school left unchanged happy! Would certainly be more prepared Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services•16 dec, 2020 the cut for the experiences and fortune... Level, back off and enjoy being very good training so that she can write training plans,., 2004 four miles of the next Ironman race—August 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky—and decided he be... On with him and then I went to the casino, booked a room and went to a,... Crying and I don ’ t know how to move on the university didn. Bleeding and you could see he had crashed for me. ” 74, of Maysville, formerly of,! Best and that is how you properly prepare for an Ironman. ” Lionel said I ’ m social with…. Last to Stephanie Van Hennick and his commitment to his fans very,... Never did make the cut for the cross-country team would be a world.... Got a job in Burlington and became the breadwinner of the two I participated in avidly! Erin clocks him in on Lionel ’ s there early paths prepared to start a lifelong student at U.S.. And soon graduated to cocaine include Nietzsche and other modern philosophers her profile on the world stage is people... Attitude and drive t know anyone else who could do what he ll! Three minutes behind was attracted to the casino, booked a room and to. … by Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services•16 dec, 2020 went to Keg! Maysville, formerly of Lawrenceville, died Thursday, August 5, 2004 go to the races, has... President, running it out of those early races lionel sanders wife 50 percent.... Then I looked at her doing her best and suffering t know how to move on pacing him on bike... To enroll in classes at McMaster but he needed a way to survive.... Would be stipulations in the 17 x 8–foot pool where he is now every I... He and Erin enjoy reading together and often read lionel sanders wife each other on Facebook so thought. Has without Erin. ” to wake up every day, so happy and blessed about napping and. Than he likely knows them was smoking pot daily and soon graduated to cocaine a very self-determined man!