Challenge of a Lifetime (1985) - full transcript

[music playing]

Why did you call me?

Why'd you come over?

Because I needed
someone to hold.

Someone?

Why don't I call a bell man?

You're a truly warm man, John.

How's David?

He's at a computer
camp for the summer.

Computer camp, huh?

Like father like son.



Does he like it?

He loves computers.

Has he been eating well?

The new housekeeper sayshe's been eating fine.

You're real good at this longdistance mothering, Nora.

Why don't I put some moremoney in your account?

Listen, I got a pretty full day.

I'll try to give you a call,you know, but I have a full day.

Nora?

I'm drowning, John.

[music playing]

[car honks]

Oh, god.

Oh!



You're OK, Mrs. Schoonover.

100%, not even a scratch.

Um, keep me here.

If you're claiming
an injury, you

need a lawyer, not a doctor.

No, you don't understand.

There's something wrong.

Mrs. Schoonover, you're fine.

You just had a bit of a scare.

Why don't you lie here
for a few minutes,

and nobody will disturb you.

I couldn't remember
where I parked my car.

That happens to everybodyevery once in a while.

It's nothing to worry about.

[WHISPERS] I don't have a car.

I beg your pardon?

[LOUDER] I don't have a car.

Maybe you could keep me here.

Nora Schoonover, Room 332.

I'm your 10 o'clock.

Oh, yes, Nora.

Sit down.

You know, you have somevery disturbed people here.

Isn't there a ward for
my kind of unstable?

Yes, it's called life.

Mrs. Schoonover, ourdoctors have been examining

you for three days now.

You don't want our counseling.

You want sanctuary.

I'm going to sign your
release for tomorrow.

Please don't send
me back out there yet.

If I had a 15-year-old
son, I'd want to get

out of here as soon as I could.

He's 16 years old.

He lives with his father, andI am the last person he needs.

Are you sure about that?

Sure that he's 16?

Yeah, he had a birthday
a couple of weeks ago.

I sent him a couple
of Boy George tapes.

Sure that he lives
with his father?

Yeah, the last time
I checked, he was.

Sure that he doesn't need you.

He's sure.

Can you blame him?

Kid needs a rock, not a sponge.

You've been through
a bad time, Nora.

Your life has
changed drastically.

You just got your
divorce a year ago.

381 days.

And then you gave your sonup to John six months ago.

Mm-hm

It's this loss of
companionship that's

led you to this depression.

Depression?

Look, I thought you'd getmarried, you stick it out,

you'd work things out.

I mean, isn't that what love is?

This is your
release form, Nora.

I think you'll be able tosurvive the wars out there.

Yeah, sure.

[music playing]

Oh!

[knocking]

Thank god you're here.

Look, I honestly don't
like asking for help,

but I just can't deal with this.

Could you, um--

Uh, I'm-- I'm from theMorrison Collection Agency--

I can't touch anythingdead, not even with a spoon.

Now, I was going to leavethem for the eaters to eat,

except the eaters are dead, too.

It's like the Guyana of fishdom.

Uh-huh Uh, are-- are
you Nora Schoonover?

Schoonover, but let's
not get acquainted yet.

Um, I would never ask thisof anyone but a stranger.

Could you scoop?

Do you mind if I turn
on the television?

I need the comfort of oneexpected event followed

on the heels of the
next expected event

at half hour intervals.

Are you aware thatyou've missed the last five

payments on your car?

Well, you're a little late.

It's, uh, been repossessed.

Come on, Mrs. Schoonover.

No, I went out one day,I think it was last March,

and it was gone.

Well, we never
came for your car,

but that's next unless
you make a payment.

Then I guess it was stolen.

Did you report it
missing to the police?

Why would I do that if Ithought it was repossessed?

Are you-- are youcurrently employment, ma'am?

I'm a temp.

A temporary, a fill in.

You know, like a
telephone operator has

a stroke or a biopsy or
someone's father dies,

then I fill in and
do their dirty work.

Well, uh, here's your-- here'syour notice of payment due.

Now, we sent you a
few of these already,

but maybe you didn't get them.

No, I got them.

I just don't see
the sense of paying

for something I don't have.

Well, we'll notify thepolice that it was stolen,

and maybe you'll get it back.

All right.

Just a couple more.

MAN [ON TV]: We'll returnto the Edge of Life

after this word
from our sponsor.

[turns off tv]

All right.

I sold the car.

Who wants a rabbit anyway?

You-- you can't sell
something you don't own.

Yeah?

Then why did Lincoln
have to free the slaves?

They were a very nice couple.

They only spoke German.

They were on their
way to Argentina.

I gave them a very good deal.

Uh-- what should I do--

what--
- Flush them.

What else?

Yeah.

Somehow-- somehow I would'vefigured you for a matchbox

funeral in the garden or--

I'll be right back.

[toilet flushes]

Well, that was fast.

Yeah.

Uh, look, I can give you--

I can give you a
couple of weeks.

But then I'm going to need atleast a third of what you owe.

OK?

Or else you'll break my thumb?

You've seen too many oldmovies, Mrs. Schoonover.

Bye.

[door shuts]

Mr. Collection.

Brodsky.

Brodsky.

Thanks-- for the, you know.

Here.

Take it up to Mrs. Brodsky.

Oh, no, no.
I don't--

Oh, please, please.

You saved my life.

Bye.

NORA SCHOONOVER: Just
one moment, please.

Yeah, sorry to put you on hold.

No, he is not in right now.

Uh, he'll be back
around 6 o'clock.

Yes, I'll tell him.

Thank you, Mr. Senorli.

Hey, Nora.You've been here a week now.

You better watch it,
they're going to put

you on the regular payroll.

Hello.

4168.

Thanks a lot for lunch, Jay.

I owe you one.

Hey.

I am starving.

What's the matter?

I went to high
school with her.

Oh.

I know how you feel.

I went to high school
with Frankie Avalon.

I always wanted to
be Frankie Avalon.

[laughs]

[music playing]

What are you doing here?

What are you doing here?

Most people say hi first.

Hi.

What are you doing here?

I was in the neighborhood.

In the neighborhood.

What happened?

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Nothing?

Your computer camp
is 3,000 miles away.

It's all relative.

Neighborhood, city,
state, the continent--

OK.Everyone gets one question.

You first.

How did you get here?

Bus.

You spent three dayson a bus just to be here?

Oh, you mean you would
have sent me first class

airfare if only I had called?

Why aren't you in camp?

I didn't like it, so I left.

Just like that?

Just like that.

I have to call your father.

You can't.

He's on another sales trip.

He'll come back
from his sales trip.

I can't believe this.

I mean, you just can't runaway from things like that.

You got to see things through.

Didn't I always teach you that?

You always told me that.

OK.

Probably a bloodhound now.

How do you know
you didn't like it?

What were you there, a week?STEVEN SCHOONOVER: I knew.

NORA SCHOONOVER: After one week?

STEVEN SCHOONOVER:
I hate computers.

How can you hate computers?

Your father sells the
lovable little things.

Stop talking like that.

Like that?

- Just stop it, that's all.- Stop what?

It's stupid!

What's stupid?

You trying to
act like a mother.

Ah, ah.

Look, I'm sorry, boo.

Don't call me that.

OK.
OK.

Come on.

You got real tall, you know.

Yeah.

So, uh, who do I call?

The camp director?

Your father?

Can't I just
stay here a while?

I thought you hated it here.

Not that much.

Thought you liked
New York better.

No, it's too hot
and noisy now, anyway.

Well, um, look, why don'tI make my bed up in there

and you could sleep
in there until we

get hold of your father,
and I'll stay out here.

And, um, I want to
know what happened

this past week in camp, OK?

OK.

Whatever.

[music playing]

Hi, Nora.

- Morning, Jay.
- Oh.

Patent office is down
the end of the hall.

And you better hurry.

I saw something very similarin the Sears catalog.

Not funny, Jay.

They all can't be gems.

Morning.

Oh, it's a beautiful day out.

Why don't you go outside?

NEWSCASTER [ON TV]: Andnow back to SportsCenter 3,

with Virginia and today's guest.

INTERVIEWER [ON
TV]: Mary Garritee,

winner of the Hawaiian
Ironman Triathlon.

Now, Mary, you've
held the women's world

record in this event, right?

Yes, I have.

Can you describe the race?

Yes.

It's a three stage race
that's a 2.4 mile swim--

In the ocean, right?

Yes.

112 miles on the bike
and a 26.2 mile run.

And that's over 140 miles.

Big deal.

INTERVIEWER [ON
TV]: And what do you

think about during
that length of a race?

MARY GARRITEE [ON TV]: Well,sometimes I count the miles

and sometimes I think,when is this going to end?

And then somehow you
get past that pain.

Yeah, well, some
of us like pain.

Don't--

MARY GARRITEE [ON
TV]: If-- if you can

pass that point
where you just think

you can't take another step--

athletes call it
hitting the wall--

and you take that step
and you keep on going,

then nothing could stop you.

INTERVIEWER [ON TV]: Well,you've certainly inspired me.

I'm going to run right out andbuy a pair of running shoes.

Mary, good luck in
this year's Ironman.

You are going back, aren't you?

Oh, yes.

This is my life, as
it is for many others.

Somehow we're all
in this together.

Well, we will be right back.

But first, we have to makeMax happy with a brief pause.

STEVEN SCHOONOVER: Mom.

Ma?

What are you doing out here?

NORA SCHOONOVER: You know,I competed against that Mary

Garritee in high school?

That lady on TV?

Yep.

400 meters, April 1969.

Did you beat her?

Of course I did.

Yeah.

Well, you used to
beat everybody.

Yeah.

Well, I used to be good.

What do you think?

Great.

You finished something.

Maybe you can have acareer as a window washer.

You know, you really shouldfill it with some more fish.

They're good for company.

Yeah.

And they're great to
cuddle up with, too.

Seeing that lady
upset you, huh?

Not at all.

She did look in
good shape, though.

I wish I could
have seen you run.

I mean really run.

Actually, I did see you runonce to the grocery store.

I think it was the 4th of July.

Right.

We ran out of mustard.

Your father was screaming.

And, you know, you bike OK--

for a mom.

Yeah, but I can't swim.

Taught me to swim.

Yeah, but that's in a pool.

I've always been
afraid of the ocean.

I'm sure they'd fend
off the sharks for you.

What

Are you getting at?

Think you can race again?

Oh, sure.

Like that.

[snaps] After 15--

no, 16 years of sitting
around on my buns.

Oh, hold on.

I remember having
these visions of you

jogging while I was growingup, in between feeding me

frozen pizza and doing laundry.

Frozen pizza was theonly thing you would eat.

And laundry is one of themore boring chores in life.

I used to jog to run
off some of my anxiety.

So do it again.

For 140 miles?

I look that anxious?

I wasn't talking about
that one, but why not?

You need to do something.

You're the one who
needs to do something.

The only thing you've
done is get taller.

I'll make you a deal.

What deal?

I'll help you train so youcan race against Mary Garritee

again this summer.
- Oh, come on.

Wait, wait, wait.

And then next summer, youcan help me train in whatever

interest I finally take up.

Computers are definitely not it.

You've got to
be kidding, right?

I'm not kidding.

Come on, mom.

Don't you want to set a
better example for me?

What are your interests?

Well, I used to have a lot ofinterests when I was your age.

You don't do anything.

Well, I used to do things.

When I was your age,
I did a lot of things.

Anyway, this doesn't seemlike a fair deal to me.

Children learn by imitation.

OK.

You work it out
with your father,

and maybe you got
yourself a deal.

OK.

I'll call him.

But first thing,
no more of these.

This is nuts.

Yeah, we'll see.

So come on.

Let's study the competition.

INTERVIEWER [ON TV]: Can
you describe the race?

MARY GARRITEE [ON TV]: It's notreally a race against others.

It's a race against yourself.

It's been called one
of the human body's

greatest challenges.

INTERVIEWER [ON TV]: Mary, thankyou so much for joining us.

And we want you to tunein tomorrow for Sports 3.

[alarm ringing]

[screams]

[music playing]

[coughing]

OK.

That's three.

Mom, did you really haveto wear that bathing cap?

It was the only one I had.

You mean this
was once a style?

Yes, it was.

Do you remember how youused to make these things?

Mom, can you please
take this seriously?

Here you go.

What's this?

A book to help you train.

$10.95?

Where did you get the money?

I-- I borrowed the book.

And when we've read
it, I'll take it back.

Look, I got more in here.

You stole them.

But I did it for you.

Steven, I can't
deal with this.

You're going to have to goback and live with your father.

I'll go to prison
and due time, OK?

I raised a
juvenile delinquent.

You haven't raised anything.

Now look what you've done.

We can go someplace else.

No, we can't.

Look at that clock.

Five minutes to 10:00.

Tomorrow they're closed
10 minutes to 10:00.

We won't even be able
to come here for lunch.

[deep breath] OK.

Hello?

You're closed.

OK.

Maybe you can faint from hunger.

Yeah, let's go.

Go ahead.
Faint.

I'll catch you.

I'm not that hungry.
Let's go.

OK?

Chicken.

You could steal,
but you can't faint?

Oh, come on, mom.

Don't do this to me.

Get up.

Come on, get up.

Are they coming?

Mama?

Mom?

Ma?

[WHISPERS] Stop kicking me.

[door opens]

Mm, thank you.

You're very kind.

I'll never skip lunch again.

I'm so embarrassed.

I hate it when you do stuff.

Come on.

You're eating, aren't you?

OK.

I'm sorry.

Take those books back, and Ipromise I won't do it again.

It was kind of funny.

I guess I was thinkingabout what dad would think.

So what did dad have to say?

Well, I-- I
didn't call him yet.

I mean, could we wait?

He wouldn't understand.

Understand what?

You know, about our deal.

Well, it's just as well
because I've been doing

a lot of thinking
lately, Steven,

and I don't think you shouldcount on me for that race.

I'm not well.

How not well?

Well, my head's just
not strong enough.

This last year has been alittle tough on me, you know.

And, well, I even had to go to--

go to the doctor.

What doctor?

What for?

Um, well, it's, uh--

I got real nervous.

I had this, uh, anxiety
thing or something.

And, uh, I couldn't breathe.

Oh, that's just
another excuse.

You always do this.

I've never seen you
finish anything.

You can't breathe becauseyou're smoking all the time.

It's not the smoking, Steven.

Um-- look, just try
to understand, OK?

I can't-- I can't take
care of you right now.

I mean, what if I have togo back in the hospital?

Hospital?

What are you talking about?

You're not sick!

You're not!

You're a lousy liar!

You're not sick!

[music playing]

[knocking]

Steven, open the door.

Steven, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean it.

I do want you here.

I swear it.

And-- and I'm not sick.

I'm fine, really.

It's you I'm worried about.

I mean, what kind of kid
doesn't like computers?

Steven, that race is all
the way over in Hawaii.

That takes a lot of
money and a lot of work.

I can't swim.

I'm addicted to nicotine.

Steven?

Steven, please open the door.

They're really going
to take me away.

I'm standing here
talking to a door.

They were pitching herout, so I thought we could

take her in for inspiration.

Really?

What the heck.

Let's give it a shot, huh?

She stands.

You could beat this turkey!

NORA SCHOONOVER:
Just keep going.

Just keep going.

I'm going to die.

My lungs are screaming.

My legs are killing me.

Don't pay attention to that.

No problem.

An old lady passes me.

Great.

Great.

STEVEN SCHOONOVER: Harder!

Stretch farther ahead of you.

Pretend you have to pull
all that water past you.

Come on.

Only 16 more in this set.

Swimming is an unnatural act.

You told me life
began in the water.

It doesn't mean
you have to go back

Garritee was out
of the water in 1:11.

[music playing]

I need a cigarette.

You can't even
breathe as it is.

[music playing]

What's the matter?

NORA SCHOONOVER:
Look at these people.

They're perfect.

STEVEN SCHOONOVER: Come on, mom.

Hey, mom.

Here's the bike you need, mom.

She's going to be in
the Hawaiian Triathlon.

Oh, really?

Well, your son's right.

This is the bike
you'll be needing.

Excuse us.

Mom--

You see this inch?

That's how far they're
going every day.

See this arm?

That's how far I have to go.

See this face?

It's going home to bed.

Last week you could
only swim 500 meters.

And this week you've
been doing 1,000.

That is true.

But I am so sore, Steven.

This isn't even my body.

I feel like a
used-up punching bag.

Yesterday you came withinseven seconds of your 400-meter

college record.

I know that is true, too,but I am out of my league here.

Look, I'm tired of
talking you into this.

We made a deal.

Steven.

Steven.

Get-- Sir?

Yes?

How much is that bike?

[music playing]

STEVEN SCHOONOVER: Hi.

Good time!

Give me your hand.

A dog attacked me.

Huh?

[music playing]

STEVEN SCHOONOVER: Come on.

Follow through.

You're splashing too much.

You can take your head outof the water, you know.

Come on.

Pace yourself.

Kick!

Hey.

Don't tell me.

You're going to take
it out of my paycheck?

Well, fine.

Uh, payroll's down the hall.

Oh, no--

What are those for?

For you.

Hello.

I'm her son.
- Oh.

I'm sorry.

I didn't-- I didn't realize--

It's OK.

She's divorced.

Mr. Collection, this
is my son, Steven.

Steven, uh, this is the manwho wants me to pay for the car

that I no longer have,
the white Rabbit.

No, no.

I'm Will Brodsky, and I didn'tcome here about the car.

Oh?
For lunch?

Want some?
- No, no.

You made me laugh.

I went home and I thought aboutthe dead fish, and I laughed--

I laughed all night.

I just figured that anywoman who can accomplish that

deserves further investigation.

Oh, Esther Williams.

You want to get in here?

Your board's all lit up.

Well, um, gotta go.

Oh.

Uh, here.

I reported your car stolen.

Thanks.

Thanks.

Thank you again.

If I had known
you were starving,

I would've sent out theRed Cross a long time ago.

I'm not starving.

Carbo loading.

You're what?

Carbohydrates
provide more energy

than protein because
10% less oxygen

is needed to metabolize them.

Thank you, Mr. Wizard.

I'm in training for a race.

Oh, yeah?

What kind of race?

A long one.

First, um, I have toswim 2.4 miles, bike 112,

and then run a
marathon, 26.2 miles.

Oh, my god.

How long does that take?

Mary Garritee finished
in 11 hours 20 minutes

and 45 seconds.

And where is she buried?

[laughter]

So what do you win?

What do you-- what do youget if you win this race?

Nothing.

But if you rise
on the third day,

they start a religious
order in your name.

Mom, can I go play?

Mm-hm.

Where's the race?

- Hawaii.
- Oh.

That's nice.

Do you run these all the time?

First one-- maybe.

Maybe?

What do you mean?

Well, I get up each
morning and pretend

I'm racing the race.

Gets me out of bed
and gets him out, too.

At least he'll
have an interesting

what-I-did-on-my-summer-vacationcomposition for the fall.

Why are you pretending?

Because I really
can't see me doing that.

I mean, I could see
to the end of the pool

or to the end of the bikepath, but anything past that--

Like to Hawaii?

I can't see that.

I mean, this race is a big deal.

Very together,
normal people do it.

I-- I don't think
I could do that.

Does he-- does he know--

does he know you feel like this?

It looks to me like he's workingvery hard to get you to Hawaii.

Well, you never
know what'll happen.

But all I know is that--

well, this is the
first thing my son

and I have ever
really done together,

and it feels real nice.

I don't think it
actually matters

if we ever make it to the race.

I'm having a real
good time trying.

STEVEN SCHOONOVER: Night, Will.Thanks for dinner.

Yeah.
Good night, Steven.

Hey.

Listen, I-- I have a weddingto attend this Saturday.

Would you go with me?

NORA SCHOONOVER: Oh.

No, thank you.

I'm no good at weddings.

WILL BRODSKY: We just
sit there and eat.

[laughter]

NORA SCHOONOVER: No, thank you.

Well, how about the
baseball game on Sunday?

The Angels and the Tigers.

No, thank you.

What's the matter?

Why did you say yes to dinner?

Because you're nice.

And now?

Too nice.

[music playing]

Mom.

Yes, you're in
the right place.

Take a seat.

There's plenty of them now.

Mom.

And I'm making you dinner,but not frozen pizza.

STEVEN SCHOONOVER: Dad's here.

Don't be mad at me.

I-- I finally called him.

I didn't think he'd
be in town so soon.

Hello, Nora.

Hi, John.

Somehow I never eventhought this place had walls.

Well, I guess the copsfinally caught up with you, kid.

Did you bring the handcuffs?

Look, I didn't kidnap him.

And I called the guy
at the computer camp.

I did everything I could--

He knows that, mom.

What's this about a
race you've entered?

Well it's very complicated.

Uh, first, you have
to get over to Hawaii

and compete in the
qualifying race.

Then if, uh-- well, if you makeit through that, then they let

you stick around and make a foolout of yourself in the big one,

right?

Well, this takes money.

Yeah.

Well, I've been taken upcollections in the streets

at night.

Oh.

Well, I'm prepared to help you.

And I'm prepared
not to take your help.

Why are you always
trying to control

me with your damn checkbook?

Mom, we need his help.

We don't need his help.

Nora.

I'm trying to be supportivein anything that helps

you get your act together.

Well, John, if
you really wanted

to be supportive, why don't juststick around and help me train,

huh?

You know I can do that.

Here.

Now, if you're not doing
OK, you let me know.

I'll come and pick up Steven.

I want to pick him up anywaybefore you go to Hawaii--

if you go.

No, I want to go to Hawaii.

Uh-uh.

Nope.

You need that week to
get ready for school.

But, dad, look at my charts.

We're doing a lot of work here.

I'm going to Hawaii.

No, you're not.

Steven, you know how she hastried this with other things.

Art classes, ballet lessons.

Steven, your father's right.

That week before school ismuch more important than this.

Mom.

The check's right there--

just in case.

I'll talk to you soon.

Call me later.

Puts the check in office.

Why do you always
give into him?

Just because he talkslouder than you doesn't mean

he's right.

I just can't
stand the arguing.

Is that why you didn't
tell him about our deal?

No.

He doesn't care.

OK.

Relax those shoulders.

Relax them.

Keep your eyes on the horizon.

I can't believe I haven'tlost an ounce doing this.

OK.

How'd I do, huh?

Not bad.

Hi.

Uh-oh.

Hey, mom.

I want to run--

Don't act like such a nerd.

He seems like a nice guy.OK?

He is.

That's why I'd
rather not see him.

He brought you a pizza.

Hi.

Red Cross here.

Hi.

How you doing?

What's this?

We're making a training
log for phase one.

The date, the
activity, her time,

her distance, and comments.

And that's if she thoughtit was a hard work

or if it was raining or ifshe broke her old record.

Yeah.

And this column here,
what's this for?

Oh, you get a gold star if youremember to brush your teeth.

Pulse rate.

The resting pulse rateshould be used as a control

guide for the training program.

If it is more rapid
than usual, your body

is signaling you to slow down.

Yeah.
Yeah.

That's real sharp.

Excuse me.

Listen, I hope I'm
not intruding here,

but you don't have a phone and--- Yeah, I know.

Yeah.

So I had to come by
in person to ask you.

Ask me what?

Well, if you'd have
dinner with me again.

No, it worked the first time.

We're good with food,
don't you think?

Oh.

I think you're talkingabout dating, aren't you?

Oh, no.

No, no, I didn't say that.

No, that's a nasty
word to some people.

Yeah.

What do you say?

Just a little dinner.

Well, I have to ask my coach.

I don't know if it'sallowed. [WHISPERS] Say no.

Uh, I don't know.

It's not in the book.

WILL BRODSKY: I like women.

Well, good.

Oh, yeah.

I don't keep pets.

I quit smoking.

- Me too.
- Yeah.

You miss it?

Yes, a lot.

And I've never been in afight that I didn't start.

And that's it.

You don't really play
Tiddlywinks, do you?

No, no, I'll teach you.

Actually, there's-- [laughter]there's a Tiddlywinks triathlon

coming up in the spring.

You tiddle for six hours.

- No, you don't.
- Oh, yes, you do.

You tiddle, and then
you wink, and then

you tiddle, and then you--

Will.

What?

I have to tell you something.

What's that?

I'm sort of seeing someone.

You in love with him?

Just used to him.

Then break it off.

Hard to give up that easily.

I don't give up
that easily, Nora.

[music playing]

[bus honking]

NORA SCHOONOVER: OK.
I'm moving.

I'm moving.

Well, hi there.

Wanna race?

OK.

So you won that one.

How you doing, Mrs. Meyer, huh?

Hey, mom.

NORA SCHOONOVER: Yeah?

Got a little present for you.

Oh.

Uh-- OK.

What?

What's this?

Well, you got a
little bean curd,

brewer's yeast, wheat
germ, desiccated

liver, acidophilus, all blendedin a base of cabbage juice.

Enjoy.
- Right.

What book did this come from?

No book.

I saw it on of
those TV cook shows.

Come on.
Drink up.

Go on.

[laughing]

Thank you very much, dear.

No more TV.

OK?

This is the mostentertaining time of my life.

Look at you.

Good.

Maybe I ought to
charge admission.

Maybe.

Oh, Will, what do
you want with me?

I'm a bad bet.

Hey.

Come on.

There's no money on the line.

I think I love you.
- No, you don't.

Yes, I do.

- No, you don't.
- OK.

I don't.

Good.

I think I do again.

Hey.

Look, let's let's get backto talking about the race.

OK.

Now-- now, it is very scary toyou, but evidently not as scary

as me.

I know that eventually
I'm going to break

into that wonderful
heart of yours.

Not a chance.

Not a chance.

My heart is very safe in
a drawer at the Beverly

Hills junior science fair.

You know, I like to
help out where I can.

Stop.
Stop.

Will you stop?

Now, you are going to dump thisguy you may still be seeing,

whoever he is, and you'regoing to start feeling

confident about this race.

Come on.

You leave next month.

Yeah.

And I still can't make
it to the break water.

Nora, you're almost there.

You've done much longer
stretches in the pool.

Yeah.

Even though-- all that
money to go over there,

and I may not even qualify.

OK.

OK.

So don't go.

Huh?

No, don't go.

Go back to your temp jobs.

Go back to the hospital.

Go anywhere that it's safe.

I have watched you
break your butt,

and I'll be damned if I'm goingto let you use the first excuse

to pull out of this.

Because we both
know that this is

not just a race or some crazyway to impress your kid.

No!

This is reentry.

This is you rejoining
the human race.

Don't you think I know that?

Oh, Will.

Just hold me.

It's OK, Nora.

[music playing]

Mr. Schuller's residence.

No, I'm sorry.

He's not in right now.

May I take a message?

[SINGING] Time to rise.

No time to mend.

Gotta face the world again.

I wish I knew what
I was doing here.

It's a dream.

No, it's real.

I can't tell you how I feel.

I'm going down, down,
down one more time.

Trying to get myselftogether one step at a time.

Don't worry if I slip or fall.

I get up every time.

I turn my life around.

Turn my life-- turn my life--

turn my life around.

I turn my life around.

I turn my life--

turn my life-- turn
my life around.

Gotta a while.

I'm on the road.

This time look who's in control.

I'm breaking loose and
taking my turn now.

No more tears, no regrets.

No more holding back for me.

From now on, I'm
giving it all I got!

Well, it's a personal evolutionthat I'm going through.

This time I'm going all the way.

Just take a look and see
me turn my life around.

Turn my life-- turn my life--

turn my life around.

Turn my life around.

Turn my life-- turn my life--

turn my life around.

I'm getting myself together.

I've discovered me.

There's a new kid
in the neighborhood.

Look fast, and you'll seeme turn my life around!

Turn my life-- turn my life--

turn my life around.

Turn my life-- turn my life--

turn my life around.

We've gotta get Steven to theother end of the terminal.

WOMAN [OVER SPEAKER]: Allpassengers, we'll be boarding

passengers for Flight 483.

Now boarding at Gate 27.

Well.

Have a good trip
with your dad, OK?

Try to do well in
school this year.

STEVEN SCHOONOVER: Have fun.

OK.

WILL BRODSKY: Here.

Well, I'm off.

WILL BRODSKY: OK.

Bye-bye.

Don't forget your breathingexercises and your stretches,

and remember to use that
two-feet crossover kick.

It's better for you than
the other ones we tried.

Bye.

OK.Let's get you over there.

You got everything?

Oh, I think this is yours.

Well, it is, but
you take it with you.

What are we going
to tell your dad when

we tell him you're in Hawaii?

What?

You're my coach.

I can't go without you.
- Yeah.

But he only gave us enoughmoney for your ticket.

Not necessarily.

Two stand-bys should
equal one full payer.

I guess so.
Hey, Will.

Will you call my dad, tellhim I won't be on the flight?

What?

You want me to call him?
- No.

Wait, wait--

[MUSIC - BILLY VAUGHN, "LITTLE BROWN GAL"]

[SINGING] It's not the islandfare calling me, the balmy air,

the tropical sea.

But it's a little brown
gal in a little grass

skirt in a little
grass shack in Hawaii.

It isn't Waikiki or
Kamehameha's pali,

not the beach boys free
with their hoomalimali.

But it's a little brown
girl in a little grass

skirt in a little
grass shack in Hawaii.

Through that island
wonderland, she's

broken all the kanes' hearts.

It's not hard to understand.

For that wahine
is a gal of parts.

I'll be leavin' soon.

But the thrills I'veenjoyed is not the island

moon, nor the fish and the poi.

But it's a little brown
gal in a little grass

skirt in a little
grass shack in Hawaii.

[indistinct chatter]

Hey.

Hi, Mike.

How are you?

Here we are.

Back for another year.

Hi.

Nora Schoonover.

[MUSIC - BILLY VAUGHN, "LITTLE BROWN GAL"]

[SINGING] It's not
hard to understand.

That wahine is a gal of parts.

I'll be leaving soon.

But the thrills I'veenjoyed is not the island

moon, nor the fish and the poi.

But it's a little brown
gal in a little grass

skirt in a little
grass shack in Hawaii.

Steven.

Well, don't kill it.

Could you turn that
air conditioner on?

It's boiling in here.

It is on.

Oh, you've got to be kidding.

Don't you believe me?

I believe you.

I don't believe this.

What are you doing?

Well, you can't-- it's so hot.

I can't breathe in here.

Mom, it's fine in here.

You're in Hawaii.

Look, it's beautiful.

Where else can you get an oceanview at a price like this?

I wonder if they have lizardsover at that fancy hotel.

What's the matter with you?

Eh, I got so out of
it at registration.

All those people
knew each other.

They were like old army buddies.

Did you try saying hello?

Look, this girl I met invitedus to the carbo loading party

tonight.
You want to go?

Come on.

You could pig out on
spaghetti and pizza

and popcorn and potatoes.

What do you say?

It's a whole big deal,
a triathlon tradition.

I don't fit in
with those people.

You're just nervous.

Now, do you want to go
to this party or not?

I'm going to the party.

[music playing]

Hi, guys.

Nora, I want you
to meet my friends.

This is Leslie, Mark, and Mike.

Mike won last year and
Mark the year before.

They trade off and
share the spotlight.

You guys, this is
Nora's first year.

Aloha.

Aloha.

You know, you should
really stock up on some

of these complex carbos.

They give you a lot of energy.

Yeah?

Good.

Have some spaghetti.

You know, I really
recommend concentrating

on the broad stroke.

It really is the
best in the long run.

No pun intended.

Thanks.

Well, what are you, a coach?

Well, yeah.

I watch very closely andcritique in a very loud voice.

Oh.

Uh, so where are you from?

New York.
No, no.

LA.
No.

New York.

I'm bi-coastal.

[indistinct chatter]

No, mom!

Mom, here!

I got a seat for you.

These people eat like animals.

Is that all you took?

No, I ate some.

Where are you going?

I'll see you later.

I'm getting some beers.

Oh.

Well, don't you drink any of it.

Drinking age here is 12.

It's OK.

Over here, Mary.

Hey, Mary, come on.

One more pic.

Come back over this way please.

Mary?

Hey, Mary.

Come on!

I always think one
picture is enough.

They can make reprints.

Hi.

Nora Schoonover.

Mary.

I know, Garritee.

I was Hauffer back then.

Back when?

Savage High, the Bronx.

Wow.

You're from Savage High.

I ran against you.

You probably don't remember.

You compete in so many races.

I beat you.

I never forget who beat me.

You were on the relay team.

Yeah.

Oh, we were scared
to death of you.

Oh, come on.

No, you guys were really fast.

Yeah, we were fast.

Oh, I wish I was fast now,especially in the ocean.

You know, I take itreally easy during the swim.

You don't want to leave
your whole race out

there in the ocean.

Besides, you're a strong runner.

You're going to make
up a lot of time there.

It's like a Roman
orgy here, you know.

Keep on eating.

You're going to need it later.

I am.

You ever have anightmare that you're not

going to burn any of this
off and you'll wake up

resembling the Goodyear blimp?

[laughs]

It's not a beauty contest.

Oh, I know that.

It's an endurance race.

You know, you're going tolose five or six pounds.

You're really going to
need all of that food.

You just keep on eating.

You know, this is so muchmore fun than Boy Scouts.

What are you talking about?

Remember, we
missed that meeting

for signing up in Boy Scouts?

Oh, yeah.

I ran out of gas.

You got all mad
and said that Boy

Scouts wasn't for me, anyway.

Yeah.

Well, if it was anything
like the Brownies,

where they taught you how totie knots eight different ways--

You started crying.

I'm sorry I did that to you.

It's OK.

- No, it's not.
- Yes, it is.

No, it's not.

You're a real good kid.

You're smart.

You're even funny.

Despite me, not because of me.

What, you think I gotall those wonderful traits

from dad?

Got a point there.

Well, the bike's ready
for the qualifying race.

I just hope I am.

[music playing]

[SINGING] Feeling good about me.

Feeling fast and free.

Feeling good about who I amand how it's going to be.

I'm feeling good about me.

Feeling fast and free.

Feeling good about who Iam, how it's going to be.

You've got to set your
mind and your body free.

Baby, doo-run-run, doo-run-run.

Working day and night to
treat your body right.

Baby, doo-run-run, doo-run-run.

When you're down on yourselfand there's nobody else,

you've got to come alive--

[applause, cheering]

[SINGING] I'm feeling
good about me.

Feeling fast and free.

Feeling good about who I amand how it's going to be.

[screaming]

You were pretty shaken up.

I want you to spend at leastthe afternoon here, yeah?

And I might suggest
not too much movement.

I wasn't exactly goingto go home and do the hula.

[groan]

Easy.

Thanks a lot, doc.

Sure.

Don't worry, honey.

I'm all in one piece.

Nothing's broken.

There's just an ugly
bruise on my arm.

I'm sorry, mom.

What are you sorry about?

You should've seen me, kid.

I was flying, I really was.

I was passing them
right and left.

I was even making up some timethat I lost in the swimming.

Oh, gosh.

I was flying.

And all the time, I
kept thinking to myself,

I'm doing it, I'm
really doing it.

I saw you.

You were really doing it.

Yeah.

Well-- honey, could you
come around this side?

Oh, boy.

Such a stupid mistake.

Not shifting gears in time.

It was a rock, mom.

You hit a rock.

No.

No, it happened before that.

You see, you get into
a rhythm when you race.

And you make one littlemistake, and I broke my rhythm.

It not the rock's fault. I wasjust beginning to like it here.

Nora.

Hey, Mary.

I heard about your arm.

Eh.

Does it hurt?

Only when I cry.

[laughs]

But you're not going
to go home, are you?

I've been a
spectator half my life.

I know what that's like.

I don't want to spend theweek doing that, you know.

So what's the doctor say?

Oh.

Don't move.

So what's he going todo, carry you on the plane?

My son Steven's liftingweights now in preparation.

You know, your
name automatically

goes into the lottery.

What if they pick you?

There's a lottery?

I mean, I maybe get a
chance to win something?

Didn't you read your packet?

Yeah, it says, you
don't qualify, go home.

No, it didn't say that.

It said, if you didn't
make the necessary time

in the qualifying
race, you automatically

go into a lottery.

They pick 10 names.

It's their way of givingeveryone a second chance.

Yeah.

Well, I've always
been real lucky.

I won a church raffle once.

I definitely see SavageHigh represented in this race.

Savage High was condemned.

They shut it down.

Listen, Nora.

The lottery's on Thursday.

Why don't you just stick around?

I'll-- I'll see if
the weather holds.

You better keep training.

Good luck!

Thank you!

[music playing]

Yes.

Collect from Nora.

And there's a nuclear warhead.

WILL BRODSKY [ON PHONE]: Hello?

Hello, Will.

Nora.

Hi.

Did you make it?

Why haven't you called?

I've been so worried.

How are you?

Well, this rock came
and hit me on the bike.

Uh, I'm a little bruised up.

Are you OK?

Well, the bike's OK.

WILL BRODSKY [ON
PHONE]: Forget the bike.

What about you?

I didn't finish,
so I didn't qualify.

I'm sorry.

I know how much you wanted this.

It's not over.

There's this lottery Thursday,so I still might make it.

I don't know.

Hey.

You went over there
and you tried.

Now, don't kill yourself.

It wouldn't be such a disasterif you didn't make the lottery.

Yes, it would.

WILL BRODSKY [ON PHONE]: Why?

Patient's history
is pretty lousy.

It's not that lousy.

Well, I better
let you go, Will.

OK.

I miss you.

Yeah I'll see you.

WILL BRODSKY [ON
PHONE]: Bye, honey.

You take care.

Good luck.

OK.

I miss you, too.

STEVEN SCHOONOVER:
Are you asleep?

No.

You?

That lizard you found onthe chair is called a gecko.

I asked the man at the desk.

Sorry you came?

Sorry you brought me?

No.

What do you say we gosightseeing tomorrow, huh, boo?

Don't call me that.

You know that was
your first name.

I mean, we hadn't settledon the name Steven yet,

so I used to call you baby boo.

Yeah.

Well, it's a dumb name.

Well, I was pretty dumb.

You were a real
cute baby, though.

So tiny.

You were about as big as my arm.

Your head could fit in my hand.

I was always so frightened thatI would hurt you when I picked

you up because you
have-- well, you

have to be real careful witha baby's neck because it's--

well, it's not very strong.

And I'd take you and I'd holdyou real close to my heart.

I'd say, don't move, boo.

[music playing]

There was this nurse.

She always said it was OK to beafraid, that I'd get over it.

But I never did.

My neck's OK.

You didn't wreck
it or anything--

in case you were wondering.

Yeah, I was.

Thanks.

STEVEN SCHOONOVER: What
if we don't get picked?

Well, I figured if we don'tget picked, then we'll be OK.

But if we do get
picked, it'll just show

how crazy we've been all along.

First of all, I'd like tosay that it is an honor for me

to be the race
director of the Ironman

and to be associated
with so many

fine and dedicated athletes.

[applause, cheering]

As you know, the
course can only safely

accommodate 1,200 participants.

10 of you picked today
will join those 1,200

at the starting
line this Saturday.

Good luck to all of you!

Dana Powell.

[cheering]

Peggy Winters.

[cheering]

Susan Ludington.

[cheering]

Maggie de Baxter.

[cheering]

So, how's your girlfriend?

Mom, she's not my girlfriend.

William Penway.

[cheering]

Look, why don't we
just call it a vacation,

leave in the morning,
and never bring

it up under penalty of death.

What, you can't
even finish a lottery?

- Nora Schoonover.
- Who?

Who?

[cheering]

Look who it is!

[music playing]

Hi.

Hi.

This is the first time wespent the whole night together.

Yeah.

I'll write it in my calendar.

Yeah.

Well, it was wonderful.

Ow.

Oh, hey, hey.

Come on.

We're going to get
that arm X-rayed.

Most people just smoke after.

Can I help you get dressed?

There's nothing the
matter with my arm.

Those weren't
screams of ecstasy.

How do you know?

I'm good.

I'm not that good.

Now, see this line?

Unfortunately.

Well, that's a hairline
fracture on your ulna,

the long bone between
the elbow and the wrist.

What does this mean?

She was just in
here a few days ago.

Did the X-ray show it then?

Look, sometimes
a hairline fracture

doesn't show up for days untilthe calcium rearranges itself.

You don't know until
you feel the pain.

What does this mean?

A cast.

Oh, she-- she can't swimwith a cast and she won't be

able to control the bike.

Nora.

Nora, look, I'm very sorry,but when your arm is healed,

you can train for next year.

OK?
- Yeah.

Well, how do I know there'sgoing to be a next year?

I can walk.

I can run.

I've been biking.

It's easy to swim with one arm.

Lifeguards do it all the time.

What do you say, doc?

You triathletes are[inaudible],, crazy people.

You can do anything
you think you can do.

So if, um, run the race,my arm won't fall off

or anything, right?

It would be better
if I cast it now.

You're going to be
in a lot of pain.

Yeah.

Well, I'm used to pain.

Wrap it up.

Mom.

Do you really want to do it?

I don't believe you.

After you invested all thistime in me for one big day,

you want one little
line to ruin it?

Not me.

Wrap it up.

Are you sure about this?

Well, sure as I'm going to be.

Can you wrap it tight enoughso it will feel like a new arm?

Well, it's going to feellike you have a splint on.

And your pals are going tohave to redo it after you

come out of the water.

OK.

Watch closely, pals.

STEVEN SCHOONOVER: Hey, ma.

Nora.

Come on.

Where you been?

We've been looking
all over for you.

Dad called.

He's ticked off
that I'm still here.

I guess he didn't thinkwe'd make the big race, huh?

Yeah.

Well, there's nothing he
could do about it now.

Bringing you to Hawaii
was the best thing

I could have done for you.

See ya.

Bye.

For me?

She brought me
over here for her.

What a funny mother.

Oh, this is so beautiful.

Mm-hm.

It's just perfect.

I'm so glad you begged
me to come here.

Oh, really?

Oh, here.

I have something I
want to give you here.

For you.

Aw.

Open it.

Open it.

Now, I want you to wearthis during the race, OK?

Don't worry about
losing or anything.

It didn't belong
to my grandmother.

I can buy another one.

It's real cheap.

Well, thanks a lot.

I love you.

Let's talk about that now.

I've got a race to run tomorrow.

You don't believe it, do you?

You just haven't seen
the mistakes I make yet.

I'm a natural at them.

Somebody's got to
show you that mistakes

can be loved, too.

You don't know.

You just don't know.

I'll love finding out.

Yeah?

Yeah.

OK.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

I have been warned.

Yeah.

Why don't we back to the hotel?

I'll tuck you in.

OK?

Tell you a story.

You go back.

Um, I'm just going to
spend a minute here.

OK?
- OK.

- My shoes.
- Oh, yeah.

Come back.

[music playing]

[cheering]

JIM: It's almost
7:00 AM now, the sun

just glancing over the Pacific.

1,200 athletes in theirfinal moments of preparation

and anticipation, as they awaitthe start of the most grueling

single day event in
sports, a 2.4 mile swim,

a 112 mile bike ride, a
marathon run 26.2 miles.

Now let's visit our reporterat the start of the swim.

This is Brad Harris.

The race begins here
in the dawning hours.

1,000 athletes will swim 1.2miles out into the ocean,

and then back to this pier wherethey will shower and change

and find theirrespective bikes and race

112 miles across thebeautiful Hawaiian coast.

Not all will finish,
but those who will

will earn the honored butelusive title of Ironman.

It is a race for only themost ambitious and dedicated

of athletes.

JIM: Athletes like Mark Wilson,last year's second place

finisher back to try to win,and Mary Garritee, returning

to defend her Ironwoman
title, both of them

inspirations to all the otherathletes who have gathered

on this Saturday morning.

Among them, doctors,
lawyers, teachers,

and architects, a black jackdealer, and a newlywed couple.

WOMAN: The tension
is building as they

find their respective
places on the beach.

There is no official
starting order.

Each athlete knows his
or her own ability.

And the stronger swimmersnaturally move to the front.

Each athlete uses
these few remaining

seconds for a final necessarymoment of concentration.

[bang]

[cheering]

This is the moment when monthsand months of rigorous training

comes to a head.

Scanning the scene, we see some1,200 athletes, all of whom

can only be feeling atremendous sense of relief.

The day is finally here.

Many of these triathletesare strongest in this first

of three events, the swim.

Others can pick up time
on the bike course,

while the rest gain groundduring the marathon run.

It all adds up to 10 to 17 hoursof very, very strenuous work.

JIM: And then even theleaders during this segment

must isolate their
thoughts in the water.

If they begin to contemplatethe hours of exertion they'll

experience on the bike
or in the marathon,

they may lose the rhythmnecessary to pull the body

stroke by stroke out tothe twin sailboat anchored

on the horizon 1.2 milesaway, then back to the shore

and the bike stand.

The least helpful
consideration now

is the one which is
so painfully obvious,

that it will be a long dayand it is just beginning.

Now with a little less
than one hour elapsed,

the lead swimmers are
arriving at the beach.

Mark Wilson, first out
of the water a year ago,

is again the leader.

But Mike Nadan, who overtookWilson to win last year,

is right behind him.

WOMAN: And, Jim, as they comeout of the water, the swimmers

are disoriented
and will struggle

to get their land legs back.

They've been in the
water for an hour.

They feel shaky.

But first, they will haveto shower off the salt water

to avoid chafing,
change into biking gear,

and then hurry to
find their bikes.

[music playing]

JIM: Now the first
woman out of the water

is defending champ
Mary Garritee,

and this must give
her great confidence.

The bike and the
run are normally

the stronger events for her.

WOMAN: And, Jim, bothstrong muscles and endurance

conditioning are essential here.

While the arms and
shoulders are exhausted,

they look forward to restingthe upper portion of the body

as the legs take over in thenext two sections of the race.

Leslie Anders, second womanlast year, is second again.

JIM: Now here's a
fascinating story.

Back in the pack, number 973is Nora Schoonover competing

in her very first triathlon.

MAN: 673.

122.

33.

202.

122.

35.

432.

127.

43.

JIM: Nora Schoonover leavesthe water in 58th place.

The bandage you see
on her arm protects

a hairline fracture sufferedin the qualifying race.

She got into the
field via the lottery.

MAN: 140.

34.

416.

Where is everybody?

Like who?

Give me numbers.

Number one.

Just about an hour ahead.

- That's not bad.
- Not bad at all.

Make it tight.

I didn't do bad in the swimming.

No, you were great.

OK.

Good.

Boy, am I glad
you guys are here.

Banana.

One banana.
Thanks.

Give it your all.

Good luck.

Go get them.

JIM: The bicycle segment
is the long middle third

of this event, more than
five hours of riding,

most of it into a
17 mile per hour

headwind the Hawaiians
call moomuku.

Right now the temperatureis soaring past 90 degrees,

on its way to the 100 mark.

[music playing]

WOMAN: They've been
on the road for 2

and 1/2 hours already, Jim.

The leaders are approachingthe turnaround point at Hawi,

56 miles up the Kona coast.

Now, fatigue is
already setting in.

It's the body's inner resistanceto constant powerful exertion

that is beginning to playhavoc on the less tolerant.

JIM: After losing the leadon his bicycle last year,

Mark Wilson has focused histraining on this segment.

Now you see him maintainingthe lead he brought with him

out of the ocean this morning.

56 more miles of bicycleriding ahead of him, 1,199

other triathletes behind him.

And as noon approaches,the heat is intensifying.

[music playing]

The first woman at the
Hawi turnaround point

is Mary Garritee, the woman whohas been pursued by many others

over the past few years,seeking her number one ranking.

This year, Lee Kalani Oleyoli iswithin sight of her rear wheel.

And earlier, we asked KalaniOleyoli to assess her chances.

I feel like a kid on
my first day of school.

I have butterflies.

But I think this
is my year to win.

[music playing]

[cheering]

JIM: Now here's another lookat Nora Schoonover, number 973,

as she makes the turn at Hawi.

We'll be following her
progress, as she seems

to be making some progressup through the back

during this bicycle segment.

Fascinating story.

She was a high
school classmate--

WOMAN: Uh-oh.
Look at this.

Trouble here, Jim.

Kalani Oleyoli is down.

I don't know if her--

kind of looked like her
shifting cable snapped.

I tell you, unless she
can fix it on the spot,

there's absolutely no
way she can maintain

that number two position.

[music playing]

JIM: Now Mark Wilson,
still the leader,

makes the transition
from pedaling

a bike to running a marathon.

Earlier, we asked
Mark about the problem

of making yourself
believe that you're

going to finish the triathlon.

You know, most of us trainabout five or six hours a day.

A lot of people think of usas some kind of super people.

But really, it's not an
impossibility to finish

the Hawaiian Triathlon.

It's all really just
a state of mind.

JIM: Well, it looks
like the broken arm

is doing little to hinder NoraSchoonover's bike performance.

She's made up time
lost in the swim

and has moved up to
42nd among the women.

MARY GARRITEE: How am I doing?

You're the first woman, andyou've got an 8 minute lead.

JIM: Despite their almostindescribable difficulty,

these events are
growing rapidly.

And before the race,
one of our reporters

spoke to defending women'stitlist Mary Garritee

about the future of triathlons.

The triathlon isincreasing in its popularity.

Do you ever see itbecoming an Olympic event?

MARY GARRITEE [ON
TV]: Of course.

We had the biathlon,
the pentathlon,

the heptathlon, the decathlon.

Why not the triathlon?

The Olympics aren't
for the young only.

This is a sport that requiresthe maturity and the discipline

necessary to gain
that endurance.

JIM: It goes without sayingthat most of the athletes we see

in this event are
here for something

other than the glory of winning.

Many of them are special peoplewho might not be competing had

not some obstacle or shortcomingspurred them to want to expand

their own personal boundaries.

An example is Nora Schoonover.

Even with a broken arm, she'sgained 31 places on the bike,

moving up to 27th
among the women.

[cheering]

Ow.

Did you see me?
- Yes, I did.

Now just worry about yourself.- OK.

Make it tighter this time.

All right.

Did you see the bike?

It got pretty beat up.

I can fix it.

I don't know.

Looks like it's going
to take some time.

It needs a whole overhaul.

I've got all winter.

And all summer, too.

And probably all
next winter as well.

I'm so proud of you, mom.

I want to come home
to live with you.

- Honey, you better get going.- Ow.

OK.
Thanks.

I feel phenomenal.
- All right.

Go.
Go get them.

Hey, only 26 more miles.

[music playing]

WOMAN: The bike to runtransition is by far the most

difficult. For over five hours,they've been forcing their legs

in a circular motion.

Cycling is a sport of
extremes and totally

exhausting at full power.

Yet, now they must
shift, and, well,

many of these triathletesthighs may tie up as they

head into the final phase.

The bottom line
is they absolutely

cannot afford to waste energyon an awkward running style.

It's now 2 o'clock
in the afternoon,

and the heat is becoming
almost unbearable.

On the road, it's
over 100 degrees.

As the front runners
reach the halfway point,

the majority of the
athletes have just

changed into their
running shorts

and they're beginning
the marathon.

For even the most
experienced of runners,

there is always the question ofwhether they can beat the heat

and finish the final 26.2 miles.

JIM: Now they are on theirown, separated by time,

distance, and determination.

It is more difficult now
because they are alone.

It is less a race ofcompetitor against competitor

than a race within
the individual spirit

against one's own limitations.

[music playing]

Another look at Nora Schoonover.

She was a runner in high
school before motherhood

took her off the track.

So she'll be hoping some
of that natural ability

will resurface now.

[cheering]

Now the first finisher arrives.

It's Mark Wilson.

The time, 9 hours 8
minutes 23 seconds,

a new record for
the Ironman event.

Come on.

Only four more miles.

JIM: And now as we look
back at Nora Schoonover,

she is beginning toexperience some difficulty.

For the first time sincegetting into the marathon

phase of the event,
she's losing ground

to the runners behind her.

We're about to see the
first woman finisher

in this year's triathlon.

It's Mary Garritee, a successfuldefense of the Ironwoman title

she won a year ago.

Now as we look back
in the pack again,

it appears number 973, NoraSchoonover, is in great pain.

Perhaps hitting the
wall, the term athlete

use to denote the point
at which they have

reached their physical limit.

It appears that Nora
Schoonover is now

going to learn just howbadly she wants to overcome

her own personal limitations.

[groaning]

Here.

Put this on your feet.

It'll help.

WOMAN: It's 7:00 PM.

12 hours have passedsince the cannon went off.

The sun is beginning to set.

Some athletes have
dropped out of the race,

unable to meet the physicalchallenge of the Ironman,

while those remaining
on the course

have pushed themselvesbeyond imaginable limits.

Yet, they continue
toward the finish line.

Come on.
A mile left.

Let's go.

JIM: Now hundreds of men andwomen have completed the test.

And again, we go back to pickup the story of Nora Schoonover.

The man you see
there next to her

is Donald Turnquist, number 478.

A personal story
in himself, having

overcome a debilitating
lung disease to be here.

For the moment, it
appears that Turnquist

has paused to encouragethe faltering Schoonover.

8:00 PM.

Now 13 hours into the race.

The sun is gone.

For many of the athletes,this race is over.

But for more, the
agony continues.

[gasps]

Nora Schoonover has fallen down.

Come on.

Get up.

JIM: She's put more than140 miles behind her today.

But with 100 yards
to go to the finish,

it is by no means certainthat she'll make it.

Come on.

30 yards to go.

Get up.

[cheering]

JIM: The bodily strength
is thoroughly gone now.

Exhausted muscles no longerreceive signals from the brain.

Let's go.
You got it.

Come on.

You got it.

Let's go.

You got it.

JIM: She's getting up.

Get up.

You got it.

You got it.

JIM: And now as this womanwho has never before completed

the triathlon tries to coverthe last 75 to 100 yards,

the crowd here at the finishwill try to urge her on.

Keep it up.

You're doing well.

Keep it up.

[cheering]

Keep it up.

We're almost there.

Almost there.

Somebody help her.

Nora!

Excuse me, please.

Nora, you all right?

Mom?

Mom, you don't have to go on.

Come on, honey.

You got 20 feet to go, baby.

Come on, Will.

Do something.

Please stop her.

This is crazy.

I don't care anymore.

Do it.

Come on, mom.

Get up.

10 yards.
10 yards.

That's it.

You got it.

Come on.

Let's go.

10 yards, and you're over.

Come on.

Come on.

Come on.

Go, Nora.

Go.

You're amost there.

Keep going.

You can do it.

ALL: 5, 4, 3, 2--

[cheering]

JIM: With a time of 13 hours32 minutes and 29 seconds,

35-year-old Nora Schoonoverfinishes in 217th place.

[music playing]