I am a blind athlete driven by the will to test my physical limitations and motivated by challenge. When a director at Achilles International (an organization that enables athletes with all types of disabilities to train for races) told me last year that there are very few female blind triathletes out there and that I was athletic enough to compete on their level, my competitive side awoke and I began training. I knew I would have to race until I could win my division. So far, I have completed one half marathon, one sprint triathlon and one olympic triathlon.
When you're an athlete with a disability, you have to possess the necessary brute strength, endurance and determination to achieve your goals, just like any able-bodied athlete. But you also must find a way to adapt yourself to your sport of choice. This blog aims to answer the question: How do they do it? and will focus on sports from the perspective of someone with a disability.
I never race alone
The NYC Triathlon
I was one of 80 paratriathletes (athletes with disabilities) who competed this month in the New York City Triathlon -- over 32 miles of swimming, biking and running through the Hudson River, up and down the West Side Highway and around Manhattan's Central Park. For my first Olympic-length triathlon (and my second triathlon ever) it was emotionally excruciating and physically draining... but, boy, am I glad I finished it! My swim through the Hudson was slow and disgusting, and we got THREE flat tires during our bike race. (There were a total of 18 flat tires changed that day, so my guide and I dominated in this category). When mishaps like this happen during a race, the loss of adrenaline and motivational drive make it incredibly difficult for an athlete to continue. But the other paratriathletes from the Achilles team were waiting at the finish line, and I knew I couldn't tell them that I'd quit, so I started the six-mile run. Let me tell you, finishing slowly is far better than quitting, and there is nothing sweeter than the sound of a cheering finish line crowd. Next year, I'll be back and better than ever!