So they talked Napierski into joining the 2006 Freedom Run, almost a year after the amputation. Outfitted with a prosthetic leg, Napierski completed the one-mile race.

"It was a pretty long mile," he said, but that didn't matter because the goal was to start and finish.

The next year, Woydziak decided to get her father to take it to the next level and compete in the 2007 Freedom Run 5K.

"Let's push it a little farther," she said.

"I don't think I can run five miles," Napierski told her.

"It's only 3.2 miles," she replied.

Though Napierski often went for two- to three-mile jogs on the rural roads by his West Mountain house, he wasn't sure he could finish a 5K. But Woydziak kept pressing him.

The day of the race came. Napierski was nervous as he approached the starting line. He noticed people looking at him and his prosthetic leg, but once the starter pistol fired, he got into a running motion and "settled down," Woydziak said. He crossed the finish line 36 minutes after starting.

"He definitely rose to the occasion," his daughter said.

Napierski also joined a two-man bobsled team since the amputation. Along with partner Gary Kuhl, he competes at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City for the National Ability Center. Last season, Napierski and Kuhl finished 15th in the Americas Cup, just 9.28 seconds behind a pair of fit 20-year-olds from Jamaica.

Life has improved for Napierski since the amputation, but it's not without its difficulties. He has to crawl up the stairs to go to bed. Sandi has to help out more around the seven-acre farm than previously, but the two see a purpose in the course of their lives.

"This is something that was in his life plan," Sandi said. "He has some lessons to learn, and I've had some lessons to learn."

For Napierski, he's learned not to roll over and give up on life. He's also learned to use humor to cope. Often he'll tell people, "I'm lucky. I only have five toenails to clip."

Sandi also said Napierski has become somewhat of a hero for others who see what he does. He often speaks to youth groups about how to find the positive in life's challenges.

"He is a much better man for it," she said.

Napierski readily admits he's had his share of bad days along with the good days, but, overall, life's been good and he plans to "just keep going."

"I figure I have a few good years left," he smiled. "I was trying to make sure that this was a success story."

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E-mail: jdana@desnews.com