a mass start. It is the only way to get everyone through in a sensible way that gives people space. My 10km was not a brilliant performance and I
think counts as probably the slowest in my career. The course itself was quite hilly which doesn’t favour the less fit, and means that there is no place to hide, certainly not in a racing chair. There were points that it was actually quicker for me to push up the hills backwards than forwards. Even though the chairs are long, there is not a lot of weight on the front wheel and this means that at a certain gradient the wheel pops up. Going backwards can be easier because you
can pull on the outside of the wheel and you have a much bigger gear to use rather than the smaller push rim. A particular low point, but a very funny one, was when a young boy (about 5), wearing wellies (my head was down and I was trying to keep going so I couldn’t really see him) very kindly offered to push me.
I managed to
say that it was kind of him to ask, but I had to do it on my own. If you are aided in any way, then you are disqualified. At that point in the race, if I wasn’t in a race, I would have happily taken a bit
of help. In the world of sport, there is such a thing as
muscle memory, but that relies on having some strength and speed left in your arms to be able to use it, and there really was not a lot of that left. What strikes me when I have been around Triathlons is the camaraderie that exists and the support amongst all the athletes. Every time someone ran past me up the hill the vast majority would say something encouraging. And because of the wave start this makes it possible. I am really glad I did it, and it made me realise that there are small bits about competing that I miss. Not the training (or the amount that we had to do) but being with lots of other people in a social situation. That night I managed to stay awake until
about 7.30pm before I crashed and woke up 12 hours later. That was something else that I think I missed from my time in sport. The sleep that comes with physical exertion. So much so that I think that I am going to be doing another 10km towards the end of the year, perhaps a bit flatter, and not part of a Triathlon, but just to get the feel of being out of the road again.
Crelling Harnesses Ltd. Tel: 01253 852298 Email:
info@crelling.com
www.crelling.com
Crelling Harnesses manufacture a full range of special needs harnesses suitable for use on all kinds of equipment including
wheelchairs, buggies, scooters, shower chairs, bathing equipment, stair lifts and seats in cars, buses and aircraft etc.
The vehicle harnesses are designed to be worn in conjunction with the existing safety belts to provide additional postural support and/or to offer a certain degree of restraint when used for those passengers with behavioural problems or learning difficulties.
We make simple belts and full supportive harnesses for all kinds of special needs, including challenging behaviour
Ability Needs Magazine 23
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