Good news ... and then not so good.

The good news: Yesterday I was at the Top End factory to be fitted for the handcycle that the VA had approved. The technician felt that the Force RX

would be the best fit for me, and made all the measurements after I went for a test ride - WOW, what a thrill! I was flying on the test run!

The not so good news: While I was on the way back home, I received a call from the VA ...

The VA would not approve that model unless I was a diagnosed quad or paraplegic.  They had discussed it with the technician, and settled on the Force 2 - with a few modifications.

 Not as sexy; not as many tweaks for speed ... but still a nice ride.  One thing I give up - being able to chose a color - mine will be blue. I have thought of a few tweaks I can add ... and may do so as things move along.

What kind of tweaks am I considering?

1. A gear hub. Why a gear hub? With a 3 speed hub, I will have a direct drive that wouldn't change the current gearing - BUT, it would add an underdrive for an extra low granny gear to climb those @#$% hills. It would also add an overdrive for screaming down the other side of those hills.

How fast was he going? 75 KPH (over 45MPH)!  Pretty fast when you're only sitting a few inches off the road! That was without an overdrive, so I might end up a good deal faster if I wanted to push it on the right hill ...

2. Upgraded wheels. There are some VERY nice carbon fiber wheels that have much better aerodynamics than standard wheels. I particularly like the specs on the Zipp 303 wheels - especially since you can get those with disc brakes.

 

3. Tires. The Continental Grand Prix 4000 tires on that Zipp wheel would be my choice.

4. Osymetric Chainrings. 

What the hell is that? It's NOT round!  THEORETICALLY, it takes some of the load off of your legs (arms in the case of a handcycle) when you are at the weakest point of your stroke and adds extra power when you are at the strongest point.  The judges are out,  but it seems to be a personal choice. Some people love them - some hate them. There are other companies that make oval rings (and these aren't a true oval), but this company has addressed some of the issues people had with the oval rings. Will I love them - or hate them? I don't know, but I WOULD like to try them out.

5. Who knows! There will always be something you want to tweak.

Fingers crossed!

The Marine Corps Marathon Lottery opened today. I have my entry in ... now all I can do is wait and hope. There are other options if I'm not selected, but this is the way to start.

Finally!

I received word this morning that the VA has approved a Racing Handcycle for me! I go down to the factory that actually builds them to be fitted next week. Getting a custom fit will make sure it's just right for me.

They will also determine which model is the 'best fit' for me. I am going to end up with either a Top End Force G

or the Top End Force RX

Isn't that one sexy handcycle?

I am so excited right now I can hardly contain myself! No more leased units - MINE!

Racers frequently give their chairs a nickname ... and I'm in the market. Please leave suggestions in the comments ...

another word from our sponsors

I am Half Fanatic #4919 and just got accepted as Marathon Maniac #8762. If you frequently run half or full Marathons, I encourage you to check out those sites. Even if you don't join, they have great calenders of upcoming races to help you feed your addiction - and running IS addicting.

I am also a member of Idiots Running Club #986. If you feel like an Idiot - or friends and family call you an Idiot - because of all your runs, this is where you belong! Fill out the application and don't be an Idiot and forget to click the submit button (scroll down the application). ti no trid emos buR.

All three have FaceBook pages - feel free to join there, also.

Do you like camping out? Did you know that Walt Disney World has a Campground? Join the Fort Fiends! Lots of information; lots of friendship ... and a dose of Snark!

Another Weekend and

Two more races.

Saturday, 2/15/2014, I ran the 12K Flash in St. Marks, FL. VERY cool, but a nice flat course mostly on a scenic bike path. I love this course! Finished 1st in the Wheelchair Division with a time of 54:47 - a PR since it was my first 12K in the chair.

I then drove to Gainesville, for packet pickup for the 5 Points Of Life Marathon. Today, 2/16/2014, I got another PR by doing a 3:03:09.7. 1st place Wheelchair; 13th overall and 3rd place Master. The course was HILLY! A lot of the roads could use some work - potholes and just generally rough (and my butt is letting me know it isn't happy about 3 hours in the chair on a rough course and then 4 hours driving home). Part of the course goes though The Swamp - at least you go through part of the Parking Garage and Concession Stand area. You also get to watch the lowlights highlights from some of the Gator Football games on monitors on the course.

Next up - the Albany Marathon in Albany, GA on 3/1/2014.

The Tallahassee Marathon

Sunday, Feb 2, 2014 was my next race - the Tallahassee Marathon.

Lined up for the start:

 and then I'm off - followed by a few people

Overall, it's a nice course - BUT! It has speed bumps - handcycles have a low ground clearance, and don't like speed bumps!

You also head down a nice bike trail ... but it has canopy trees and in foggy, overcast weather the trees overhead drip as much as a modest rain puts out. Running in the wet isn't fun - it's not too pleasant in a handcycle, either.

There is a short stretch where you turn off of the bike trail and into a park ... with gravel pathways. Gravel is NOT easy to go through with any kind of racing chair. The course is an out and back ... so you get this twice.

You finish up on the track at FSU.

It's all about 'The Bling'! 

Yes, that IS a Groundhog - the Tallahassee Marathon is run on Groundhog's Day and the Groundhog is the mascot.

Set a PR in my chair - 3:53:10.2. Even with the hick ups, this is a nice run, and I will be competing in the future.

... and now a word from our sponsors.

Not really, but I did want to post links to items I've found useful, friends with businesses, etc.

Hydration! You CAN have too much hydration while running, but you usually have more issues with not enough hydration. While running, many people carry bottles or use a hydration pack - in a racing chair it is much more problematic. In a race, runners can just grab a cup from a water stop - in a chair, it is REALLY a problem. Getting your gloves wet when you grab one of those cups and slosh some is worse than getting your shoes wet! You WILL get blisters on your hands! Hydrations packs are your answer ... BUT I never liked the idea of having one with a bladder. The bladders are HARD to clean, can pick up flavors ... or even get moldy. Then I came across an interesting concept - the Jetflow Hydration System. No bladders to clean; no worries about picking up flavors; no worries, mate! Velcro one of these to the back of your chair and ... you're off! You don't even have to use one of their packs - you can get the system without a bottle and stuff it into your own pack ... or just strap the bottle down and fasten to bite valve tube in an easy to reach location.Personally, I got the Warthog Pack and added a second Jetflow System. Two different liquids (if I want); room to carry my helmet; room for a LOT of stuff.

Energy supplements - it's really a personal choice, but I liked GU Energy Gels while walking. The Salted Caramel is KILLER! 

In a racing chair, you do NOT want to get that sticky stuff on your gloves! My solution - GU Chomps (and I really like the Peach Tea flavor). Nothing sticky to mess with ... and I can spread them out to maintain the perfect level of energy.

Shoes - while walking I REALLY liked Saucony. 

Then I heard about the Hoka One One. I tried a pair and bought them!

 I STRONGLY suggest you go to a running store with the ability to test your gait using a frame by frame video. They will be able to suggest an appropriate shoe to match your strike and pronation. Then try on different brands to find the ones that feel right for YOU. A good store will let you take a pair out for a 'test drive' - mine does. They also give a discount for being a member of my local Track Club, so you might want to check into joining one. I HIGHLY recommend doing so even if you don't get a discount

A little side track here - my local Track Club is Gulf Winds Track Club. Why is that worth a side track? It was founded by Jeff Galloway! Yes, THAT Jeff Galloway! You really need to try out his Run-Walk method.

Nothing to do with running, but I belong to the Fort Fiends, a RV Camping group. One of our members rents campers at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort in Orlando. They have WONDERFUL themes available. You really need to check out Fort Camper Rental - and go camping (and running) at Disney World.

Have Special Needs? Then you need to check out Special Mouse and their podcasts (available on iTunes if you so desire). I - along with Kerry Kingdon - am featured on their You can runDisney in a Wheelchair podcast. Check us out!

Get out there and DO it!