just for men touch of gray >> we close in idaho where an army veteran named scott smiley took part ince. as carter evans reports swimming biking and running great distances were not the only challenges smiley faced. >> army major scott smiley was a platoon leader in northern iraq in the spring of 2005 when a roadside bomb left him badly wounded and totally blind. >> why me. >> he was angry and depressed. >> how was i going to take care of my wife the woman that i love if i couldn't even take care of myself. >> scott's wife tiffany says the choice was clear. >> i could let my mind go that way. and say we're ruined and we're to the going to be able to do anything. or i could go the other way and be his biggest cheerleader. and i just took that on even if i didn't believe it myself. >> reporter: they would soon both believe. >> after extensive rehab smiley became the first blind active duty officer in the army. he earned an mba from duke is now the father of three children and he began to take on challenges climbing mount rainier and even surfing. >> you ready? >> yeah. >> but all that i

carter evans has the story of army major scott smiley. >> reporter: scott smiley was a platoon leader in northern iraq in the spring of 2005 when a roadside bomb left him wound and totally blind. >> why me? how was i -- wounded, and totally blind. >> why me? >> scott's wife, tiffany says the white house was clear. >> i could say we are ruined -- the choice was clear. >> i could say we are ruined or i could be his biggest cheerleader. >> reporter: they would soon both believe. after extensive rehab, smiley became the first blind active duty officer in the army. he earned an mba from duke, is now the father of three children and began to take on challenges. climbing mount rainier, and even surfing. but all that is nothing, compared to the ultimate sport of endurance, the iron man triathlon. >> for me it may not be a purpose, other than i'm able to do something in which i and many others didn't think i could. >> reporter: he began, just after dawn this morning. a grueling 2.5-mile swim, smiley's brother-in-law acting as his guide. then a bike ride. more than 100 miles in 100- degree heat