Post by 4wheelbob on Mar 23, 2016 13:07:48 GMT -8
Those who know me here understand that I don't shy away from much. My latest is a crossing of Kearsarge Pass in the Southern Sierra, finishing 22 miles later at Road's End in Kings Canyon.
I tried this first 3 years ago, and an insulin pump issue caused me to cut it short after only a day. Two years ago, I tripled my distance, but blistered hands stopped me at Gilbert Lake (for you Sierraphiles!).
Last year, while doing a simple 5K run in one of my District's local parks, I rolled into a rock at speed while passing someone, a rock caught one of the front wheels and stopped the chair in its tracks - I, however, continued (my first flight!), and hit the ground hard, breaking hip and femur. So I missed a shot last year.
This year I'm going one more time - first to the Pass, then on to Kings Canyon. I've kept in pretty good shape, but a relentlessly competitive attitude has been my goal - achiever.
Saturday is my first race since last June 7 - a half marathon with a few hills and 5,000 people running alongside. I'll be the only one on wheels, so I think I have the Wheelchair Class locked up. But though it should have started 4 months ago in a gym, this is my first Validation Event of the year. My best finish was 2:32, but this year comes without illusions, and if I can make 3 hours I'll be good.
After the race, if all goes well, it's back to the gym and a whole lot of road work. And weight work. And whatever else I need to do to get across that little ol' mountain range.....
It's ON.....again!
I tried this first 3 years ago, and an insulin pump issue caused me to cut it short after only a day. Two years ago, I tripled my distance, but blistered hands stopped me at Gilbert Lake (for you Sierraphiles!).
Last year, while doing a simple 5K run in one of my District's local parks, I rolled into a rock at speed while passing someone, a rock caught one of the front wheels and stopped the chair in its tracks - I, however, continued (my first flight!), and hit the ground hard, breaking hip and femur. So I missed a shot last year.
This year I'm going one more time - first to the Pass, then on to Kings Canyon. I've kept in pretty good shape, but a relentlessly competitive attitude has been my goal - achiever.
Saturday is my first race since last June 7 - a half marathon with a few hills and 5,000 people running alongside. I'll be the only one on wheels, so I think I have the Wheelchair Class locked up. But though it should have started 4 months ago in a gym, this is my first Validation Event of the year. My best finish was 2:32, but this year comes without illusions, and if I can make 3 hours I'll be good.
After the race, if all goes well, it's back to the gym and a whole lot of road work. And weight work. And whatever else I need to do to get across that little ol' mountain range.....
It's ON.....again!
