Saturday, 19 October 2013
Endolite bladeXT
Promotional video for the Endolite BladeXT that I was in and it was based around a triathlon theme:)
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Onward and Upward
To say its been a tough summer is understating it, its probably been the toughest time period in my life. When I first broke my ill fated leg in February 2003 although it was unexpected I was positive about the outcome and stayed positive and if not positive very accepting of what I new would happen. When after finding out that after 9 years the leg was still not uniting and more infections I made the decision to have the leg amputated but saw it as a positive decision and the only one that made sense to me anymore.
Three weeks after coming back from the European paratriathlon championships though and my hip was still very painful which was thought to be bad bruising but turned out to be a cracked femur. The greater trochanter, a small knuckle of bone at the top outer part of the femur had been dislodge by the crash on the bike. Bearing weight through it was possible because of where it was but because there are allot of muscle attachments there I could only move on level surfaces to start with.
I was able to swim with no pain from about 3 weeks after the crash with no pain atall and also use the turbo in a very low gear, it was more a case of muscle memory. The main thing I concentrated on though was the physiopherapy, small and regular sessions every day and quickly started getting movement back in the hip area.
Financially its been hell, although at uni I work when I can and would have worked all through the summer break. I worked for two weeks before the Europeans and then because of the femur then just bad luck didn't get any more work till the end of September, 16 weeks with no money coming in! I had applied for the paratriathlon worlds and was back training in time but didn't get selected which was really gutting but that's just the way it goes sometimes. Having missed the British paratriathlon championships 4 weeks after the Europeans because of the femur would have not helped my application but was only just about walking normally by this stage let alone running. It was just one stress after the other and with allot of time on my hands to think about it, being off uni and with no work.
I can't thank Ashford Tri Club enough during this time, both the committee for their financial help with physiopherapy and the members for listening to my moaning:)! Also a big thanks to Debbie the limb reconstruction nurse at Kings and Mr Groom orthopaedic consultant for seeing me when I told them about my injury, always so supportive!
Silver lining though, the femur crack has united very well looking at the x-rays and I have no pain from the site. I raced in a mainstream sprint triathlon the other week coming in 3rd place with no specific training, just base fitness. This bodes well for the future and with a good winters training will be in the mix next year, cant wait!!
They are such great people to work for and looked after me so well and the video looks great, never keen on close ups on the face but still great video, great idea and very well put together. I saw the semi finished cut and it looks very cool but am looking forward to seeing the finished article!!
Three weeks after coming back from the European paratriathlon championships though and my hip was still very painful which was thought to be bad bruising but turned out to be a cracked femur. The greater trochanter, a small knuckle of bone at the top outer part of the femur had been dislodge by the crash on the bike. Bearing weight through it was possible because of where it was but because there are allot of muscle attachments there I could only move on level surfaces to start with.
I was able to swim with no pain from about 3 weeks after the crash with no pain atall and also use the turbo in a very low gear, it was more a case of muscle memory. The main thing I concentrated on though was the physiopherapy, small and regular sessions every day and quickly started getting movement back in the hip area.
Financially its been hell, although at uni I work when I can and would have worked all through the summer break. I worked for two weeks before the Europeans and then because of the femur then just bad luck didn't get any more work till the end of September, 16 weeks with no money coming in! I had applied for the paratriathlon worlds and was back training in time but didn't get selected which was really gutting but that's just the way it goes sometimes. Having missed the British paratriathlon championships 4 weeks after the Europeans because of the femur would have not helped my application but was only just about walking normally by this stage let alone running. It was just one stress after the other and with allot of time on my hands to think about it, being off uni and with no work.
I can't thank Ashford Tri Club enough during this time, both the committee for their financial help with physiopherapy and the members for listening to my moaning:)! Also a big thanks to Debbie the limb reconstruction nurse at Kings and Mr Groom orthopaedic consultant for seeing me when I told them about my injury, always so supportive!
Silver lining though, the femur crack has united very well looking at the x-rays and I have no pain from the site. I raced in a mainstream sprint triathlon the other week coming in 3rd place with no specific training, just base fitness. This bodes well for the future and with a good winters training will be in the mix next year, cant wait!!
My ever supportive dad and mum!!!
I also did some work for Blatchfords who supply my prosthesis, the Endolite brand and they have been so supportive. A while ago I got to test their Blade XT running blade and really liked it and have been using it and giving feedback since the beginning of the year. Two too three weeks ago I featured in their promotional video and photos for the Blade XT and they based the video around paratriathlon.
My new Endolite Blade XT the finished article:)
Im back at uni now too and although very hard work some of the stuff we are now doing is very interesting but just wished it sunk in a little better, its pretty full on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)