About Me

I was in a bad car accident 11 years ago, and was diagnosed with a Brachial Plexus injury. My left arm has been paralyzed ever since. I was sent to an occupational therapist to get help doing things one-handed, and was told that bicycling and kayaking were "essentially two-handed sports". I was on a bike within a week, and have since logged thousands of miles. I rediscovered running soon afterward, and have run 4 marathons (including the Boston Marathon) and 14+ half marathons since I was injured. Last year I did my first sprint triathlon (Danskin), and beat nearly half the women in the swim using my one arm. Now I'm training for a 2-mile swim in St Croix in October. It will be a challenge to get up to that distance, but I'm sure I'll get there. I'm hoping to build a community that encourages challenged athletes in our individual effort, and gives us a place to share our athletic successes and challenges.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Heart of the Sound (HOTS) Triathlon-2008

Well I finished my second ever triathlon this weekend, and it was tough! It was much harder than Danskin, partially because the distances were a little bit longer, but mostly because it was a much more challenging course.

The 1/2 mile swim took place in Puget Sound, with a strong current against us for the longest section. It took me twice as long as expected, and felt more like my last 1 mile swim! The current made it seem like I wasn't moving forward at all, and the time I spent trying to round the 2nd buoy took forever. 

I left the water feeling pretty good, but more wobbly than expected. The bike ride was super challenging with a difficult climb towards the beginning and another one later on the course. Both my calves cramped up on me on the second climb, which has never happened to me before. I rode the course 2 weeks before on a much longer ride with no problem. I'm amazed I didn't have to walk it, but I managed to keep going by flexing my feet until it passed--Ouch!

By the time I got running, my legs felt like toast, and I couldn't catch my breath. The course had 2 loops, and I wasn't sure I would make it to the second one. Luckily, my legs warmed up and breathing calmed down enough to enjoy the second loop, and I finally got into a groove.

I finished with a big smile, and was really proud to have finished after such a grueling swim:) A fellow triathlete with Brachial Plexus Injury said "sometimes the tougher the race, the sweeter the finish" and she was right!
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