FootStomp is a great Social Network for Military Adaptive Sports. The world of adaptive sports if full of inspiring stories such as this and I will be sharing many of my projects here. After reading my story check out the website and consider becoming involved! If you do you can find this story here: http://footstomp.com/blogs/1640/87/2014-mcm-just-another-stroll-in. As always, feel free to share! Enjoy...
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“2014 MCM: Just another Stroll in the Park for PVA’s Racing Team”
I was honored to spend time with some of Paralyzed Veterans of America's Racing Team (www.pva.org) the night before the
39th Marine Corps Marathon, and a little at the starting line the
next morning. The night was a pleasant gathering of some of PVR’s team at a relaxing
dinner provided by the generous and supportive hosts, Fairfax Firehouse # 440*.
Along with the friendly company of many of the Firefighters, the evening was topped
off with warm good luck wishes from Search and Rescue dog, Ivan, and Service
Dog, Glory.
Holly Koester with her Service Dog,
Glory, and a few of the friendly Firefighters at Station #440.
Glory and Search and Rescue dog, Ivan, meet
for the first time.
Geoff Hopkins and son,
Ethan, share a laugh after
Firefighters declared him Jr. Firefighter.
PVA Racing team along
with their pre-MCM hosts, Fairfax Fire and Rescue Station #440.
Early in the evening, as I was just
beginning to enjoy the first bite of my scrumptious desert cookie (OK, my
second…hey, I wasn’t racing, why not?!), I felt a tug, tug, tug on my shirt. I
knew that was my cue, my wrap-it-up signal that it’s time to go. ‘Why so early’, I thought, ‘my cookie has barely reached my taste buds and
Ivan is stretched out on the floor begging for my tummy scratches’. But as
I looked around at the faces of the soon-to-be MCM finishers, I saw it…the
determination, the drive, the “I have a mission” look. Reaching the start of
their mission meant a bright and early, 4:00 a.m. departure from the hotel so,
yes, it was time to go…go get some sleep!
As the team dispersed the Firehouse to
their separate dream lands, I realized they are in need of some shut-eye not
only to fill up their energy tanks necessary for a strong marathon finish, they
are recovering from that day’s race as well. Yes, you read that right…a race
the day before a marathon. You see, while many other MCM participants were
spending the day before the marathon resting their muscles, relaxing, and
conserving their energy, PVR was blasting through yet another competition from
their 2014 race schedule, the Blue-Grey Criterium in Gettysburg, PA. In all the
advice out there on how to prep for a marathon, I cannot find one – not one –
that suggests one should pursue any kind of race or take part in any physical competition
- no matter how big or small - as part of the activities the day before a
marathon. In fact, advice from Runner’s
World, “26 Tips for Running Your Best 26.2” ( Douglas, S., Dec. 30, 2013,
Runner’s World, http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/26-tips-running-your-best-262),
suggests the day before should be spent in “Chill out” mode and “Most of all,
stay off your feet”. In PVR’s case, stay off your bike, is not in their
training protocol. PVR’s yearly race schedule is packed with back to back
competitions, sometimes four or five races in one extended weekend, like the
Clocktower Class in Rome, GA (http://www.racerome.org/handcycling/).
While many people might feel it seems pretty
crazy to even think of attempting a race just before a marathon…I think it’s
pretty amazing. It seems to be just another stroll in the park for them, but I
know it takes a strong will and a certain motivation deep within, reserved for
focusing on such a feat. So I set out to find out what drives some of the Handcycling
team members to push through the grueling parts of their schedule, with a short
Q & A session post MCM.
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Q.
Many MCM participants are first-timers or once-a-year marathoners. I imagine many of them might think someone
would be crazy to do any kind of a race the day before a marathon. Where does your motivation come from?
David
Neumer: Yes, participating in a race with less than 24 hours before the start
of a marathon is illogical. My main motivation was to support the event. I
wanted to show my appreciation to those who support us.
David Swaim:
Pride in myself and the satisfaction of
motivating others.
Geoff
Hopkins: It motivates me to accomplish
things so I can show others it can be done…despite their disability. My drive comes from my passion
for the sport and competition. Some of the races we compete in are 4-5 races
within 3 days, including a 36 mile road race. It’s grueling, but the sense of
achievement overrides the pain. And nothing compares to the freedom I feel
while on the bike.
Q.
What has been the most grueling back to back schedule for you this year? What pushed you through?
Holly Koester: I raced in the New England Challenge - 5 marathons,
in 5 states in 5 days. Lots of support from my family and friends. I just kept
thinking pain is only temporary, a record of my accomplishment lasts
forever.
David Neumer: My most
grueling back to back schedule has just completed. I handcycled the Warrior
Games 10k on September 29th, competed in the Warrior Games
air-pistol match on October 3rd, handcycled the Chicago Marathon on
October 12th, handcycled the Detroit Marathon on October 19th,
handcycled the Blue-Gray Criterium on October 25th , and finished
the season with the MCM on the 26th. To push myself through this, it
not only took physical strength but also a mental determination to keep going.
The last six weeks was definitely an endurance event.
Q.
Do you have any performance enhancing training or nutritional additions/changes
you take on before, during, or after a multi-booked schedule?
Geoff
Hopkins: Use “gels” during the race and drink lots of water
or energy drink. When I know I have a competition coming up, I workout harder
so I can ride hard and do better than I did last time. I’m always looking to
beat my own time and not worry about who crosses the finish line when. Eating
healthy is always important. My wife and I eat salads and smoothies at least
4-5 meals each a week. I know that helps with my energy level.
David Neumer: When you have a
multi-booked schedule you have to rely on all the training that you have done
to that point. This is especially true when having to do a lot of traveling.
When traveling it seems the first things to suffer are nutrition and training.
Q.
What advice do you have for an athlete thinking of joining a team and/or
increasing their competition schedule?
David Swaim:
One must put in the time training regularly
and realize that anything of value takes time.
Holly Koester: I know there are [a] lot of people that say
they want to do something next year, when their leg or arm stops hurting…when
they have more time. There is never going to be the right time, so there is no
time like the present. If I would have
waited for the right time I'd still be waiting.
David Neumer: My advice to
those who would like to be actively on a team and compete more is to first set
obtainable goals. Do a self-assessment and create a logical plan that you can
stay with to improve your skills and start building. There is no magic pill, it
takes a lot of dedication and discipline.
Geoff
Hopkins: If you’re a Veteran join the Paralyzed Veterans
Racing Team. We have members of all racing abilities and you are sure to find
someone who can help you with your racing/riding goals.
Jody
Shiflett, PVR Team Manager: They need to ask, "What
is your training focus for the season?" Is it a specific event, personal
fitness, or style of racing? Set yourself realistic goals that will best
prepare you for that competition. This is not a vacation. It's a
mission. .. You
don't want to put yourself in a compromising position with regard to attending
just any weekend. Do your research on the event and be truthful with
yourself about how well you are prepared. When in doubt, ask your peers
or myself… One can't simply decide on
an event, since it's close to home or a bucket list accomplishment.
Q. Any other thoughts or stories you
would like to share about this year's MCM weekend?
Geoff
Hopkins: It was a great weekend having the Blue-Gray
Criterium in Gettysburg on Saturday and then competing in the MCM the next
day. They were two completely different
races….if anything the Criterium opened up the muscles for the marathon the
next day.
Holly Koester:
I really enjoy being on the Paralyzed
Veterans Racing team and knowing I'm representing something other than myself.
I started racing in the MCM when there were maybe only 6 wheelers, and I was
there on my own. There's nothing
like a high you get than being with all those wheelers (125) at the start
of the race. The excitement and team camaraderie
is the best feeling. I'm so grateful to be part of the team. The
guys look out for me and I would do anything I could to help and support them.
_____
After
reviewing my Q&A notes following the MCM, I soon realized that I had
already begun to understand what sparks the team’s drive throughout the race
year, because I had felt it the morning of the MCM…..
The 4:00 a.m. roll call came much too soon –
for me – and as I rubbed my sleepy eyes on the drive to the marathon parking, I
worried about MY energy level. Was I
going to be able to walk the long distance from the car to the start and then
to the finish? As I stumbled clumsily from the car into the morning darkness,
the chill of the 50 degree temp felt brisk against my cozy-bed desiring body.
It gave me a tad boost of energy but at the same time stiffened my tired
muscles, making the walk to the start line more of a challenge. On my journey I
began to wonder if perhaps I should have done some physical training myself
just to prepare my body to get me there!
As I made my way towards the slowly brightening
eastern sky at the start line, I could barely make out the glowing double
arches of the infamous MCM participant line up point. Whew, I had finally made
it. I was relieved that my mission was almost half way complete. Then, from
behind, I heard a swoosh creeping up
on me...And then past me a whiz. All
I could see in the dim sunrise were speeding spokes whirling by as one of the
Handcycle participants made his way back to the start after having completed his
warm up. As I approached the start I was a bit humbled greeting the team and
other handcycle/wheelchair division participants, realizing they had made it to
their launching site at least one hour before me, but were still full of cheery
hellos. I felt a bit guilty that, here I was worried about making it to the
finish line early enough so I might have 1-2 hours to relax while I wait, while
the athletes were just beginning their long mental journey of tapping into that
extra tank of determination and energy they’ve saved up for moments like this.
As I hung out among the smiles and laughter of
the more than 100 wheelchair/handcycle division athletes, a buzz hovered over
the crowd and I now know I was experiencing firsthand the buzz that motivates
them from within. The buzz was inspiring and so powerful it made me feel like I
too can accomplish anything and everything I set my mind to, no matter what
obstacles lie in my path. The excitement and anticipation for the grueling task
ahead was contagious and I suddenly felt the urge to hop on a handcycle and
join in the race myself because I can do ANYTHING! “Wait…What? There’s free hot
chocolate at the finish line…right now? OK, slow down there Wonder Woman…maybe
I should plan a race for another day.” Exhilarated to say the least, I now had
the full tank of energy I needed to make MY trek to the finish line. I thanked
many for their service, wished them all good luck, and as the start line slowly
shrank in the distance on my journey to the finish, I felt lucky. Lucky that I
had a glimpse into what drives many of PVR’s athletes the most…the buzz. I had
felt the buzz, if only for a moment. I think David Swaim described
the buzz best in his final thoughts he shared with me in summarizing the MCM
weekend, “The camaraderie and the challenge make any race worthwhile”.
_____
Below are a few photos from the start line but
to view an online slideshow portraying my journey, click here: http://dolphindancephotography.com/2014MCMSlideshow/
*A special shout out to the Fairfax County Fire
& Rescue Station, #440 - Thanks for the food, the fun, the tour, and the
support. Thank you all for all you do for your community and your dedication to
protecting the public. And to Ivan, thank you for your loyalty and good luck on
your training!
Jody
Shiflett, PVR Team Manager would like to share a special note: This past weekend, Ken Bestine [PVR team member] suffered a
traumatic wreck on the fourth turn of [the] Blue and Grey Criterium in
Gettysburg, PA. I would like to send out our team's wishes for him [for] a
speedy recovery from the required surgery and associated rehab on his right
arm.
All photos and content, ©Heather Hopkins.
39th Marine Corp
Marathon Start Line
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