The New York City 2008 Marathon was an incredible and wonderful experience. I must thank Achilles. Thanks to all the volunteers and supporters. I was on the Athletes With Disabilities bus with some very interesting male hand cyclists including Keane West. Keane broke the World Guinness Record for the most miles in 24 hours on a hand bike. I met members of the freedom team and was so happy to meet vets there as both my brother and nephew served in Iraq this past year. I trained with my husband, Bob, and two other hand cyclists here is Madison, Wisconsin. My love and thanks goes out to Bob, Dawn (SCI-C5 incomplete quadriplegic), and Brad (SCI-T4 complete paraplegic) as we had an awesome time training this summer. Unlike many at the marathon, this is our first marathon ever!

Dawn may have made a World Guinness Record herself being such a high level quad completing the NYC marathon! Way to go Dawn!

I believe that this is the end of Brad’s second year of having a spinal cord injury. I was not even healthy enough to ride my hand bike much more than a few miles let alone compete in the middle of my 2nd year post accident. What a challenge to take on. Brad, what will be your 3rd year challenge?  Way to go Brad!

At the start of the race, it was so windy and cold that when we got to finally ride down a hill we couldn’t just coast as the wind would hold you back you had to keep pedaling. It was exhausting and exhilarating!

The crowd was wonderful. I loved the kids cheering and other persons with disabilities cheering. I was waving to some of the kids as they were shouting, “You can do it!” Everyone just keeps on cheering, “Go Achilles, Go!” The bands were fun. One band played "Low Rider".

At mile 15 tears came to my eyes as I couldn’t believe it. I was actually in the marathon and at that point I said to myself, “You can do this! You are almost there!”

Central Park is very pretty. The fall leaf colors were intense as I was looking around when I was coming close to the finish line. My chain had difficulties coming up the hills in Central Park so I was worried at first.

Also, this was my first airplane trip since my accident in Jan 2001. I overcame that barrier and now I feel some much different. It’s like I have my wings back.

I had no idea I was even in competition range as I trained only to my personal goal of 3 hours. My time was 3 hours and 7 mins. I placed int the top 10 in the female hand cycle division. I just can't believe it. Pinch me. I found out from Kim Virden, Madison’s Achilles Captain that I placed when I was back in Madison.

It was such a rewarding experience. I have a renewed energy to continue advocating the importance of exercise for persons with disabilities. Exercise needs to be something that the person enjoys doing. With Achilles, it can be a social activity with others. This support I believe helps with exercise becoming a regular part of life. We need "barrier-free" activities that allow people with disabilities to maintain active lives. It helps both our psyche and body. We can also be good examples in this age of childhood obesity. Achilles supports and delivers on this philosophy! Go Achilles, Go!

I can say that not everything was perfect as we had difficulties throughout the process from training to competing but we did it! For example, we were stuck at LaGuardia for 3 hours as the wrong van came to pick us up and there were supposedly no other vans available. Right now, I am just enjoying the success and experience.

The police and fire fighters were wonderful. Again, I must say, “Thank you!” to Achilles. Thanks to all the volunteers and supporters as this is such a supportive program. It is a very important program! Go, Achilles, Go!

Actively
Cheering!
Helping
Individuals,
Living
Life,
Exploring
Self!

If you would like me to share more, just let me know.
Sincerely with extreme glee,
Monica

P.S. I must thank many of my friends, family, colleagues, doctors, and sponsors as it is very expensive to do this. Achilles helped with part of the expenses. However, I couldn't have done it without the help of others. Wish me luck on one of my SCI grants as I hope it comes through. I wrote other grants and they were denied.  I will keep on going!

THANK YOU, friends, family, colleagues, doctors, and sponsors!

www.SCI-Madison.org