Race chair to the ready, ex GB pro athlete coaching and me keen as ever but really don’t know where to start.

A few months ago I decided to sign up for the Cardiff half marathon, was this a moment of madness or stupidity? Either way I paid my entrance fee and now I need to get myself ready. I used to run marathons before my illness, before joining the army I used to run for my local youth running team, I loved cross country both at local level and for my school, as an adult I got hooked onto Marathons and half marathons, I was never a pro or even that amazing but I could run for as long as I needed to and at a steady pace.

Since becoming ill I have adapted to many new challenges and sports, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby 7’s, Handcycling and recently wheelchair squash and now I plan to push myself to a new challenge and push a half marathon.

I recently purchased myself a secondhand race chair after I posted on FaceBook that I was looking for one and didn’t have loads of cash to spend, a guy I play basketball against got in touch, that’s one thing about the disabled community always someone that can help or advise, it meant a 3 hour road trip but it was worth it and the chair fitted. I now own the chair I need, I would have preferred a kneeler but the one I have will work just fine. Thinking about it  I infact could take part in a triathlon if I really wanted to, but I think let’s get past the half marathon first though. 

So today my great friend Owain stepped up to get me started. As an ex GB athlete Owain knows his stuff about technique and how to get me working to my best ability. 

I have Trained with Owain for a few years now he has somewhat taken me under his wing when it came to disability sport and training methods and to say I needed it would be an understatement. Today was made up of a very large area of Tarmac and just learning the basics. Starting, turning, pushing, turning while pushing and also stopping. We kept it small and simple, we made sure my chair was running true and then it was down to taking it push by push. We trained for 40 minutes, not a great deal of time but for a first session I was happy with what I learned and boosted my confidence in using the chair. These this are always daunting at first.


It’s not a great picture but there will be plenty more I’m sure. 

As many of my regular Blog followers will know, My dream is to climb Everest, I want to get to base camp. Why? Simple! Why not? Since becoming ill and disabled I have strived to show others that just because your life gets turned upside down it don’t mean you need to live it the wrong way up. You can rebuild, relearn and adapt. You can do anything if you put your mind to it, I plan on showing others just that.

I have worked towards inspiring others as those who inspired me have shown me new ways and new meaning. I was going to set up a charity but then I realised you don’t need a charity to make a difference and See No Bounds is my difference so if you want to support me and sponsor my half marathon attempt on my route to Everest you can do so by following the link.