Van Products is a corporate sponsor of the Lake Royale Triathlon held near Bunn, NC, and that’s how we learned of Jim Berndt’s story. When Jim recently entered the Lake Royale Triathlon, he was not really doing anything he had not successfully done before. Jim was a triathlon veteran from years back. In fact, he participated in triathlons for quite some time until 1988. He decided that was the year to retire from racing to spend more time with his family and at work.
Recently, Jim decided it was time to get back into the game…time for another triathlon. No better place than Lake Royale in North Carolina. He had family residing at the lake, a few familiar faces, and a great place to face the challenges of his first triathlon in 20 years.
But Jim was, and still is facing a much bigger challenge than swimming, biking and running. Jim was prepared to battle the hills of the Lake Royale Triathlon with a new challenge…Parkinson’s disease.
Jim mustered the courage, trained hard and had a very successful outing at Lake Royale in 2008 and again in 2010. Because of the disease, Jim has to train less than he might wish, but he takes advantage of the good days and dials it back on the tougher ones. Despite all of that, he’s back for another triathlon this year, participating as part of a team!
Jim’s Parkinson’s is at a mid-stage of progression and he takes medication to reduce the symptoms. Oddly enough, swimming and biking actually reduce the symptoms of his Parkinson’s…he says that running is his greatest challenge, though. When asked his opinion of the Lake Royale course, he replies, “God, that’s a hilly run course! It’s a tough running course.”
One part of the triathlon that many may take for granted is the transition area. For Jim, it is an extra challenge. The transition area requires fine motor skills, and Parkinson’s is not kind to fine motor skills, medication or not. He gets through it, anyway.
Jim’s sister told us, “He has never stopped being active or given up. It was remarkable to watch him in the Lake Royale Triathlon.”
Jim, we wish you good luck again at this Saturday’s event!
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Lake Royale is located northeast of Raleigh, NC in Franklin County. The man-made lake consists of 345 acres with a length of 3.25 miles and a maximum lake depth of 30’. The shoreline is about 13 miles long. The overall property of the community is approximately 3,000 acres with both residential and camping parcels that completely surround the lake. The lake is fed by Cypress Creek and numerous springs. Presently, there are over 1000 residential structures. Lake Royale offers a year round recreation program including dances, dinners, exercise classes, crafts, children’s activities, parades and a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day. Located on the waterfront, the clubhouse serves the community as a recreation center complete with a beach, dock and picnic area. The pavilion (on the east side of the lake) has another beach, a sheltered picnic area, miniature golf course, restrooms, and boat ramp. Other amenities include: a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, boating access, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard courts and a privately owned 18 hole golf course with property owner privileges. The Royale Reporter, a community newspaper, is printed once a month. To many, one of the most appealing features of the community is the Lake Royale police force which provides 24-hour gate security. The Lake Royale Triathlon will feature a 500-meter open water swim with a sandy beach start and finish. The swim has been wetsuit legal with the average temperature being 75 degrees. The 15-mile bike course will start out through the Lake Royale community. This section of the course will involve some technical riding and turns on paved roads. The course will then open up into beautiful country roads in Franklin and Nash County. The roads will not be closed to public but the traffic is minimal. The run will be totally closed to traffic and feature an out and back rolling hill course.