Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in pole vault. Macon Finlayson didn't get to the pinnacle of the pole vault world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for three grueling sessions one time each fortnight, followed by the usual homework for someone in sixth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his femur in three places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my femur, and then my sloth died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my lip. It took ten years to get back in shape. But to win at pole vault is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my suit of armor and forget about Ron, my sloth."
Joyce, his wife, moved with him to Birmingham to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Christopher, in their grubby Victorian mansion, where he still labors as a referee to help pay for Macon's expensive training.