I didn’t want to let many days pass before reminding folks what an important and inspiring figure Jim Kuykendall has been around the Hartford Courant through the years.
He has done a lot of fine, creative design work for the paper. There is more than I can recount or recall. Jim has also been a curious and engaged reporter, willing and eager to go out into the world to gather the information his illustrations brought to life.
But now, as he battles pancreatic cancer, I want most to remind people of Jim’s couragous spirit as an Iron Man competitor nine years ago. Aside from the rigorous training he imposed on himself, there was the wonderful story he told us along the way.
“At the age of 40, I have decided to put myself through the ultimate torture chamber, just to prove 40 is only a number. My body may feel otherwise. And my wife, Kim, well, let’s just say she is a very patient woman.”
I found a couple photos of Jim from his training period and the actual Ironman event itself. This first one, shot by Michael McAndrews, was a cover if I recall correctly. It’s a really great shot — taken during training — and fittting of his personality.
Jim showed his self-deprecating sense of humor in his stories leading up to the actual Ironman.
After what I thought was a strong finish in a Massachusetts triathlon, I saw a TV crew interviewing a woman who had finished much earlier.
“I just turned 60 today,” she exclaimed.
The TV mike probably picked up the sound of my ego deflating.
The Ironman event itself, held in Lake Placid, N.Y., included a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run.
Jim’s goal, he said, was to finish in under 13 hours “without the aid of a stretcher. ”
The photo is one of several shot in Lake Placid by a freelancer named Nancie Battaglia, who kindly gave her permission for it to be reproduced here.
When I crossed the finish line at 9:13 p.m. — 14:13:14 hours after starting, coming in 1,168 out of 1,544 competitors — I thought I would start crying. I didn’t. I think I was too tired. But when they slipped the medal around my neck and handed me my finisher’s T-shirt, I was overwhelmed with the feeling that, at last, I was an Ironman.
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I used to get to sit next to Jim Kuykendall every Friday afternoon when I was editor of The Middletown Extra and he was designing Page One – I looked forward to that hour or two next to him more than any part of my week. Jim was always glad to see me, managed to do his work with genius and ask about how my kids were at the same time. He would update me on his kids, what they were doing, he was so proud and in love with his family. I remember him sharing how he had met his wife at a keg party, we talked about Florida, about all kinds of stuff. My love to Jim and to his family – and a huge hug from Vermont from a reporter friend whose life was made sweeter for knowing you, Jim Kuykendall – you touched me and I will remember you forever.
It did not matter how difficult of a day you were facing, Jim always had a natural talent to turn it into to a positive situation. His upbeat personality turned frowns into smiles every time he entered a room. So full of love for his wife and daughters. He shared so many great stories and always saw only the best in people. What a terrific guy. We truly miss working with him at the Hartford Courant.
Jim was a great friend to my brother Mark Leary. Our family will always remember his support to my brother in his last years of his life and his friendship while he worked at the Hartford Courant.