[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 47 (Monday, March 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E338]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING MISSISSIPPI IRONMAN CHAMP, GINI FELLOWS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEVEN M. PALAZZO

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 19, 2018

  Mr. PALAZZO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Virginia ``Gini'' 
Fellows, a resident in my district and 71-year-old Ironman triathlete.
  Gini was born and raised near Detroit, Michigan, became a Registered 
Nurse, and married Dr. William Fellows in 1970. In 1978, the couple was 
recruited by Gulf Coast Medical Center and moved to Long Beach, 
Mississippi, making the coast their home.
  A skiing injury in her twenties resulted in knee surgery and many 
years later, rehabilitative therapy. Meanwhile, their son Patrick, a 
race event organizer, saw an opportunity to put his mom's freshly 
revived knee to work in an upcoming all-women's triathlon held in April 
2007. She agreed to do the race, vowing to set her own pace, and won 
her age division at age 59.
  That first race gave Gini the confidence to enter more races, and 
over the next couple of years, she completed two Ironman half-marathons 
leading up to competing in the Florida Ironman Triathlon in 2016.
  Winning her age division in Florida qualified Gini for the 2017 World 
Championship Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. Husband Bill encouraged 
Gini to keep training in spite of his own bout of lung cancer. Sadly, 
six weeks before her race in Kona, Bill passed away.
  When asked how one mentally handles the physical challenge of a 
triathlon, Gini explained that she focused her thoughts on her various 
friends within each portion of the event. During the 112-mile bike 
ride, she thought of her friends with whom she likes to ride; likewise 
with the 26.2 mile run. During the 2.4-mile swim, she thought of the 
lifeguards who look after her as she trains and races. She reflected on 
her family, their children and 11 grandchildren, but she saved her 
``Last Mile'' for Bill, focusing her thoughts on their 47\1/2\ years of 
marriage, the love they shared, and the lifetime of memories created 
between them.
  Gini is an inspiration and encourager to those who show interest in 
running or competing. Gini says to start with that first step and to 
start by walking. At age 71, Gini has found a passion for triathlons 
and says, ``I plan to stick with it, as long as I'm able.'' I am proud 
to honor Gini Fellows, an inspirational triathlete and Ironman from 
Mississippi's Fightin' Fourth District.

                          ____________________