I’m Alive But a Little Gimpy

The Xterra triathlon  at Fort Custer State Park is over and I am thankfully alive and hobbling.  Going into the race there had never been a blind/VI individual to compete in an Xterra triathlon on a tandem bike.  After getting knocked over, clipped by trees, breaking chains, riding with broken spokes poking me in the legs, twisting my ankle far past its limits and tripping and falling hard on the dirt and rocks on the run, I now know why I was the first to ever complete this feat. I am still alive and gimpy and want to thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.  I am sure your thoughts and prayers were the string that held me together and the drive that kept me going when nature tried to stop me. 

 Was it worth it?  Heck yeah!  This event pushed me too my limits of patients and resiliency.  It solidified my belief that anything is possible.  This race humbled me as a person and as an elite level triathlete.  No matter how long it was going to take or to what extreme we had to go to we were going to finish this race.  We didn’t finish first or anywhere close to it but we did prove something big to others and ourselves watching.  Anything is possible! 

 Now that the race is over we are tallying up the damages and there are quite a few.  The bike is in the hospital getting a complete overhaul.  The back wheel was completely shattered and the chain snapped twice.  Other minor damages are also being fixed.  As for me, I have a bum right ankle from severely tweaking it in the woods.  If not for my flimsy ankles it would be broken.  I think I bruised my tailbone, also known as the coccyx.  In addition I woke up this morning with a swollen left knee and a lot of pain in my right hip.  These all from unknown crashes and falls.  My guide finished with blood gushing down both legs from being impelled by the bike pedal.  He also had a swollen left knee from unknown crashes.  We both are covered with other random cuts and bruises but these are too many to go into detail.  No major fractures, concussions, deep wounds or injuries were sustained.  We will both be gimpy for a few days but will be back in business before you know it. 

Well, this is just a teaser for the full race report, which will come out on the Adventures page of my site. Stay tuned for the detailed report coming soon.  Also, real live video of Josh and I in action will be uploaded to Aaron Scheidies TV via YouTube as well.  Stay tuned!

Danger, WATCH YOURSELF!!

Well, some are calling me insane and yet others are praying for my insanity weekend.  No other blind/VI individual has done an Xterra triathlon on a tandem bike. The Mideast Regional Xterra Championship, like all Xterra triathlons include lake swims, traitorous mountain bike trails and rugged runs that weave through woods and over roots.  To my knowledge, there hasn’t been anyone that has tried one of these on a mountain bike tandem so this will be a first.  There is however one blind/VI individual more crazy than myself.  This guy does Xterra triathlons on a single bike with a sighted guide out in front calling commands.  I forgot this man’s name but I definitely want to meet that guy because he is the Man! 

Sunday’s race will definitely take me out of my comfort zone and create a bit of anxiety within me.  People ask me why I do it and I say, “If we have accomplished big feats but keep doing what we have already done than we are saying we are satisfied with mediocrity.  I need new challenges.  This may mean risk but I am willing to risk a lot of show there are no limitations to what anyone can do.”  No matter what you have been given or what has been taken away, the possabilities are endless.  That’s what Sunday will demonstrate!

 Until after Sunday, I am saying goodbye but always remember that anything is possible.  Also, remember to pray for my safety on Sunday as well (hahaha)

In the So-called Real World

After 27 years of living off the parents and working summer jobs to make ends meet, I have finally landed myself in the so-called real world.  Although I don’t really agree with the belief that only 9-5 jobs encompass “real world” work, at least now I won’t get harassed for being a bum.

Last Thursday April 30^th I started my professional practice as a physical therapist at the Anderson House skilled nursing facility in Shoreline, WA.  I am working for a great company in RehabCare and have been accepted and accommodated very well thus far.  I never thought that I would be working with the geriatric population but throughout school and clinicals the older people grew on me.   I feel as though I have a special ability to motivate them and relate to their issues.  I also see the impact that I can immediately have on their lives.  The appreciation that patients show for such simple things is very powerful.

Thus far, my job is awesome.  I work 3-3.5 days per week and then have the rest of the time to train and maintain a social life.  I can’t really complain too much with the schedule.  I will say that I am not nor will I ever be a fan of the ridiculous amount of documentation required for the job.  There is no way around it though so there’s no use dwelling on it.  Sometime you gotta do what you gotta do!

That’s all for this update. I will keep you updated on any new things that come up in my life or any impacting experiences that I have.  Hope you all are doing well and keep moving forward.  Love all of you that support me.  Thanks again!!!