Track & Field

Adaptive Sports

How difficult was it to learn to run with a prosthetic leg?

From Frustration to Triumph: Learning to Run with a Prosthetic Leg

Sam, that's a great question. And I'll tell you a funny story. When I went to go get my prosthetic leg, my process was like, OK, you just have to trust the blade. It's going to be there. You just have to trust it. So I was like, all right, that's fine. I'm just going to go take off. And it's going to do what it's supposed to do. And it did, which was surprising for me. And it felt fairly natural. And so I was super excited. I took it. I went home. I'm like, Dad, let's go out for a run, haven't been able to run for years. We get to go do this thing. And so we get out, get down the driveway. And we're jogging down the road. And in our mind, we're going to go for 20-, 30-minute jog. And I get 3 minutes down the road. And I can barely pick my leg up off the ground. I'm so fatigued. I'm out of shape. My muscles aren't used to working in that way. The blade took a lot of time getting used to. And so we ended up turning around and having to walk back to the house. And halfway there, we called mom. I was like, just come and grab us. This is not what we expected. But that was it. That was the beauty of the journey, right? It started off. And it was really difficult. But now I would say that when I run on prosthetic, if you see me sprint and you see me just from my hips up, you don't know that I have a prosthetic on. And so it's been a long journey and 10 or 11 years of training to get to that point. But yeah, at the beginning, it was tough. [CHUCKLES]

When I got my prosthetic leg, I was excited to go for a jog but quickly realized I was way out of shape and had to turn around and walk back. Now, after years of training, I'm able to sprint without anyone knowing I have a prosthetic.

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Learning to run with a prosthetic leg had its challenges, but it also had its funny moments. When I first got my prosthetic leg, I was told to trust the blade and believe that it would do what it's supposed to do. So, with that in mind, I took off running and surprisingly, it felt fairly natural.

Filled with excitement, I convinced my dad to join me for a run. We started jogging down the road, thinking we would go for a 20-30 minute jog. However, after just 3 minutes, I realized how fatigued I was. My muscles weren't used to working in that way, and I struggled to lift my leg off the ground. It was a humbling experience, and we ended up turning around and walking back home. We even had to call my mom to come and pick us up halfway.

But that was the beauty of the journey. It started off difficult, but it was a learning process. Over the course of 10 or 11 years of training, I gradually adapted to running with a prosthetic leg. Now, if you see me sprinting, you wouldn't even know I have a prosthetic leg from my hips up. It's been a long journey, but the initial challenges were worth it for the progress I've made.

When did you first learn that you'd be losing your leg?

Inspirational journey from athlete to amputee: Finding purpose through loss

So I first learned that I would lose my leg. Pretty much the same time I decided to have it amputated. So when I was in high school, I don't overuse injury called chronic exertional compartment syndrome. I was 800 1500 meter Runner and went through that surgery. The fasciotomy and unfortunately had complications of surgery that caused me to lose about 60% of the muscle from my knee down. I spent the next two and a half years out of total of ten reconstructive surgeries trying to save my leg. We exhausted every option until amputation was our only option. So it was at that point when I had initially a serious conversation about amputation. And where I ultimately decided to have my leg amputated, so it was kind of a quick quick decision in that moment if you will, but it had about two and a half years in a lot of reconstructive surgeries and the process to kind of get us there. So it was definitely a journey. But, you know, I think when I look back into the lost, my leg was really the game of my life. I gained a ton of perspective, you know, living the first 20 years of my life is able bodied athlete and then moving into the Adaptive community. I've learned so much that it no. And honestly, if really believe that everything happens for a reason and that the Lord kind of allowed me to go down this journey to use me in a way that was a way bigger than what I thought initially, you know, when I was in high school, so it's been an amazing journey and and very grateful for the experiences. I've had things that I've learned and I hopefully will continue to utilize those experiencing those lessons throughout the rest of my life.

I was a high school runner and had to have my leg amputated due to complications from reconstructive surgery. It was a journey that took two and a half years, but it has been an amazing experience since then and I'm grateful for what I've learned and the opportunities it has opened up for me.

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I first learned that I would be losing my leg around the same time I made the decision to have it amputated. During high school, I developed a chronic exertional compartment syndrome, which led to multiple surgeries to try and save my leg. Unfortunately, complications arose, resulting in the loss of about 60% of the muscle from my knee down. Over the course of two and a half years and ten reconstructive surgeries, we exhausted all options before amputation became the only choice.

The decision to amputate happened relatively quickly, but it was preceded by a long journey of surgeries and attempts to save my leg. Looking back, losing my leg was a turning point in my life. It provided me with valuable perspective, transitioning from being an able-bodied athlete for the first 20 years of my life to becoming part of the Adaptive community. I have learned so much and truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that the journey I went through was meant to serve a greater purpose, beyond what I initially imagined during my high school years.

It has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for the experiences and lessons I have gained. I hope to continue utilizing those experiences and lessons throughout the rest of my life.

I just joined a masters track team and I want to run the 100m and 200m. What are the best strength workouts for sprinters?

Boost Sprinting Power: Best Strength Workouts for Masters Track Team

Jay, what's going on my guy. I love that. You're looking at doing some Sprints, if they're in Atlanta. Let me know. I'm coming to check you out. Anyways, keeping it simple quarter, squats, 10 squats, deadlifts with a trap bar from a box. So, Elevate, that a little bit, you're not trying to get super low. You're just trying to stay explosive. All this is pretty heavy. Right? So, you know, getting up close to your max. Even, you know, higher than your max, wait, just because you're moving it for a shorter range of And all this is going to do is going to help you continue to increase power, but being reactive with it as well, going through that shorter range of motion. The other thing to Think Through is doing some Platt metrics, maybe once or twice a week. So hurdle hops box jumps all from different variables Associated box, jump standing box, jumps different heights, step down into a jump over a hurdle. So things like that to just work on your nervous system, just increasing that reactivity and getting your body used to. Those explosive movements over time, don't be shocked if you're very sore but in a new way, right, so your nervous system fatigue, feels way, way different and can tax your muscles. So make sure you start into this training, kind of gradually, but those are some really great movements and I would say the money movements if you go from a power power standpoint. So, any Olympic lifts, you do? Make sure you're doing them from the box from a stagnant position. Make sure that you're not going to low and your squats or deadlifts. It's an increase that power that way best of luck men. Bring the speed.

Jay is looking to do some sprints in Atlanta. To increase power, he should do quarter squats, deadlifts with a trap bar from a box, and Platt metrics such as hurdle hops and box jumps. He should also perform Olympic lifts from a box, but not go too low on his squats or deadlifts.

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Hey, congrats on joining a masters track team and wanting to focus on the 100m and 200m sprints. That's awesome! When it comes to strength workouts for sprinters, here are some recommendations:

1. Quarter squats: Perform 10 reps of heavy quarter squats. This means not going super low but focusing on explosiveness. Use weights close to your max or even higher, as you're moving through a shorter range of motion. This exercise helps increase power and explosiveness.

2. Deadlifts with a trap bar from a box: Elevate the box to a height that allows you to maintain explosiveness. Again, go heavy with this exercise, pushing yourself beyond your max. The shorter range of motion will help increase power and reactivity.

3. Plyometrics: Incorporate plyometric exercises once or twice a week. This can include hurdle hops, box jumps, and variations like standing box jumps or different heights. You can also try step-down jumps over a hurdle. These exercises work on your nervous system, improving reactivity and explosiveness. Start gradually and be prepared for some soreness, as your nervous system will be taxed in a different way.

Additionally, consider incorporating Olympic lifts into your training. Perform them from a box or stagnant position to focus on power. Remember to maintain proper form and avoid going too low in your squats or deadlifts to maximize power.

Good luck with your training! Bring the speed and enjoy your journey on the track.

Why did you make the decision to compete as a para-athlete so quickly after losing your leg?

Amputee's Unstoppable Journey to Paralympic Greatness

What's going on, honey? So I've been a little out of breath, the middle of a track session and got some time. So, I wanted to answer a few questions. You know, I think that if I just look at just who I am as a person. I've always been a big goal Setter and when I made the decision to have my leg amputated, that decision was made, not to run, but to be pain-free and to live a normal quality life shortly. After making that decision I learned about Olympic sport and learned that I could run again with the running prosthesis and knew it would be a journey, but I also set some big goals pretty early out that I wanted to be a world record holder and I wanted to be the best in the world. At what I did is a paralympic athlete. And so that was that was kind of the motivation. I guess. That was the why behind that decision and was very fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of great people that helped help me get the resources technology training. I needed to Hit the ground running and and be able to run at a pretty high level pretty quickly. So, great question, and hopefully I can keep setting big goals and accomplish pretty great. Thanks.

I made the decision to have my leg amputated in order to be pain-free and live a normal life. After learning about Olympic sport, I set some big goals to become a world record holder and the best Paralympic athlete. I was lucky to have the resources and technology to be able to run at a high level quickly.

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Hey there! I wanted to take a moment to answer your question. After losing my leg, I quickly made the decision to compete as a para-athlete. It's just who I am as a person - a big goal setter. Initially, my decision to have my leg amputated was driven by the desire to be pain-free and live a normal quality life. However, once I learned about Olympic sports and the possibility of running again with a running prosthesis, I set some ambitious goals for myself.

I wanted to become a world record holder and be the best in the world as a Paralympic athlete. With the support of amazing people around me, I was fortunate to have access to the necessary resources, technology, and training to hit the ground running and compete at a high level relatively quickly.

So, the motivation behind my decision was to chase those big goals and accomplish great things as a para-athlete. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had and I'll keep setting new goals and striving to achieve them. Thanks for the question!

How important is it to monitor my heart rate before or during a run?

Unlocking the Power of Heart Rate Monitoring for Peak Performance

Data questions are always fun to talk about and think through when it comes to heart rate, the most important thing is understanding why you're looking at your heart rate. What's the purpose? What are you trying to figure out and your heart? Obviously can tell you a lot of things about your Fitness. Obviously what your resting heart rate is before you enter a work out, how high your heart rate goes during the workout. What type of workout as am I doing? That's allowing mahara to get there. And then I think one of the most important data points that sometimes is overlooked in heart rate. Is how long after a workout does it take my body to go back to that resting heart rate? I had before the workout and I can teach you about recovery. Can teach you, maybe why it's taking you so long to recover. There's some nutritional aspects that go into play there, but one of the things that we do in my training, looking at heart rate, both, you know, resting and maximal and submaximal is, you know, if I'm going through certain period has a shins of certain Cycles. I know that I can look at my heart as a monitor, sometimes my body man. I feel so good and I feel healthy and fit but maybe my heart's telling me a little bit of a different story. So my my heart rates a little bit higher and although I feel great. Maybe I need to dial it down a little bit that day. So, you know, is it massively? Important know if you're a data person and you are analyzing your heart rate. I think it's important to know what you're trying to get out of it. And then letting the data influence, actually your decision making in your training process and recovery process, because I do believe that it can help you become. Better more knowledgeable athlete and help you hit your periodization cycles. And Peak Performance is a lot more consistently.

Heart rate data can tell you a lot about your fitness, from your resting heart rate before exercise, to how high it goes during the workout, and how long it takes your body to return to that resting heart rate after. Knowing what you are trying to get out of the data is key in order to make informed decisions in your training and recovery process.

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When it comes to monitoring your heart rate before or during a run, the importance lies in understanding why you're doing it and what you hope to learn from it. Your heart rate can provide valuable insights into your fitness level, such as your resting heart rate before a workout and how high your heart rate goes during the workout. It can also indicate the type of workout you're doing and how your body responds to it.

One often overlooked data point is how long it takes for your body to return to its resting heart rate after a workout. This can provide insights into your recovery and potentially shed light on why it may be taking longer for you to recover. Nutritional aspects may also come into play here.

In my training, I use heart rate monitoring to assess different cycles and periods. Sometimes, even if I feel great and healthy, my heart rate may indicate that I need to dial it down a bit for that day. It helps me make informed decisions about my training and recovery process.

While it's not massively important for everyone, if you're someone who enjoys analyzing data and using it to enhance your training, monitoring your heart rate can be valuable. It allows you to become a more knowledgeable athlete, helps you hit your periodization cycles, and strive for peak performance more consistently.

Why do you continue to compete and how will you know when it’s time to quit?

Passion, Goals, and Knowing When to Quit: Insights from an Elite Competitor

Uh Cynthia, I'd say continue to compete for a couple reasons. I think first. I still just absolutely love what I do. I think there's a lot of value and importance in doing what you love and love what you do. I think another reason is, I haven't quite accomplished all the goals that I've set and so, I, you know, still striving after those those goals. I think when it comes to, how do I know when it's time to quit? I think there's probably two things that I lean into for that, you know, obviously, it's not, you know, you're not enjoying it and having a Passion. Passion is one of those things. Obviously, your body, maybe not being able to manage the elite competitive nest of the field is kind of an indicator as well. But one thing that I always kind of tell people when I really know it's going to be time is when I when I don't get nervous anymore, you know, when I'm competing and people kind of tilt their head at me when I say that. But, you know, nerves for me or sign that I care and when I get nervous about something, or when I'm about to go to a big meat and you know, I got it. Get some Jitters and some butterflies, that's just an indication of care and passion, and a desire to succeed and perform well, and so, you know, I've been in certain seasons of my life outside of track performance where I've kind of lost that rush and lost that lost that feeling. And, you know, to me that was a sign that I needed to step away from from, you know, that investment doing doing that thing because honestly, I just didn't feel like it was that it was valuable enough to kind of illicit that that passion and that feeling. So Um, you know, that's for me, that's kind of one of my biggest indicators, but obviously there's there's some other factors that go into play as well.

I continue to compete because I love it and I still have goals I want to accomplish. I know when it's time to quit when I don't get nervous anymore, which indicates I don't care or have the passion for it anymore.

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I continue to compete for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, I absolutely love what I do. There is immense value and importance in doing what you love and loving what you do. Additionally, I still have goals that I haven't yet accomplished, so I am driven to keep striving for them.

As for knowing when it's time to quit, there are a few factors I consider. Firstly, if I no longer enjoy it or feel passionate about it, that's a clear sign. Passion is crucial in any endeavor. Secondly, if my body is no longer able to handle the demands of elite competition, that serves as an indicator as well.

One unique indicator for me is when I no longer feel nervous before competing. Some may find this strange, but nerves signify that I care deeply about the outcome. When I lose that rush and excitement, it suggests that I may need to step away from that particular investment of time and energy.

Of course, there are other factors that come into play when deciding to quit, but these are some of the key considerations for me.

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