A One Handed Blog

Welcome Note

Welcome to my blog, here you can read about my life after I lost my left hand in a near fatal accident whilst paragliding in Colombia, (South America), back in February 2006. You can read about the accident in one of my first posts here, and see how I've recovered by checking out the posts under the recovery category. As is normal for blogs everything is in reverse chronological order, so go the bottom if you want to read in time order.

I try and post about once a week on things I experience in life, some related to being an amputee and others not. I've also started to do some product reviews of things I've found useful when you only have one hand. I also recently completed my first triathlon at Pacific Grove as part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. You can see details of my coverage in the media, something that started with an article in the San Francisco Chronicle.

I hope you find your reading enjoyable, interesting and perhaps informative. Please leave a comment on a post or two, it's always nice to hear from people that have come to visit.

*NEW*: I'm at it again, my next triathlon is Big Kahuna in Santa Cruz this October, it's a Half Ironman, that's 70.3 miles total race distance. If you'd like to support my cause and make a donation to help me achieve my goal of raising $1,980 for LLS that would be greatly appreciated, no amount too small (or too big), you can donate online via my fundraising page.

One Handed Karate Chop

Last week I attended Tony Robbins' Leadership Academy Bootcamp in San Diego. I've attended a number of Tony's events since I first did UPW (read all about it here) in San Jose in 2006 (incidentally, he's back in San Jose this month after a 3 year absence, if you're interested in attending call Erica Nitti, 858-535-6367, tell her I sent you and she'll look after you).

I've got a lot of value from Tony's real world approach to human psychology, it's helped me and I've been able to help others by practicing just some of what he teaches. Anyway, the Leadership event really bought the last 3 years of events home for me and has set me on a new path in life.

As is often the case with his events, they use a physical act as a metaphor for a psychological/emotional breakthrough, at UPW it was the firewalk, at Life Mastery it was climbing a telephone pole. At Leadership Bootcamp it was breaking a 1" pine board, karate chop-style! There were about 300 people in the room and after a 30 minute rundown by Joe Williams on how to get in state, stand, position our arms and strike we all queued up ready to do it.

Apparently this usually takes someone doing martial arts 6 months to progress to, here we were ready in less than an hour. A great demonstration of the power of getting into state. As you can see in the before photo, there's a look of total focus in my eyes...this was my second attempt. My first didn't go so well, but it sure confirmed that it was a real piece of solid wood, up until then I think I still thought that it can't really be a solid piece of wood (there's a metaphor for life for you). So on my second attempt, hand smarting a bit from the first, I totally focused and went for it. As you can see from the second photo I broke through, strange thing was, the second time around I didn't even feel the board, in fact I had to double check since I figured I must have missed it, that's how easy it was to breakthrough (another great metaphor for you).

All in all, the event was simply amazing, and those who know me know I don't use that term lightly. Outside of the coaching and training, the speakers they had were first class. Robin Bennacasa is an adventure racer (World Champion honors in both the Eco-Challenge and Raid Gauloises) and spoke on the kind of leadership and team dynamics that you need to make it through a 7-10 day, non-stop adventure race of 400-600 miles. Once I get through with my Ironman ambitions maybe adventure racing will be next, not sure if they've ever had a physically challenged team or not, maybe it's time. Jan Hargrave was a blast, she's an FBI specialist and expert in non-verbal communication (body language) and took us through a riot as she tested and explained how the body doesn't lie. Want to know if someone is attracted to you, she knows. Steve Linder spent half a day with us on Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), he's somewhat of an expert on how patterns of mental and emotional behavior affect us. Shore Slocum bought an interesting and more contemplative perspective on leadership and life, a great story teller and compelling speaker. Joe Williams, one of Tony's master trainers (with an incredible assist from Joseph McClendon), ran the show and did a marvelous job through the 5 days, 12 hours plus a day.

If you ever get the chance to attend a Tony Robbins event, take it: have fun, play full out and you won't regret it.

Many Thanks to Pete Parker for taking the photos of the event, they are © Copyright 2009 Peter S. Parker, All Rights Reserved, Used with Permission. If you want to see more photos of the event, click here.

Stepping It Up, 70.3 Miles Here I Come

As if an Olympic distance triathlon wasn't enough I now have my sights set on completing a Half Ironman later this year, that's 70.3 miles total race distance.

Crazy? Perhaps, but that's what life is about. Plus, you heard it hear first, next year I have my sights set on competing in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii...that's 140.6 miles, now that's crazy!

But, one step at a time. I'm volunteering again with Team In Training to help others realize their dream of completing an endurance event whilst raising money for LLS to fight blood cancers. This time I'm training for Big Kahuna, held this October in Santa Cruz (nice and local).

This is a big step up for me, a Half Ironman consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike followed by a 13.1 mile half marathon. Last season I remember completing a 56 mile bike ride just by itself, followed by a 10 minute transition run, I literally could not run...I got shin splints so bad I could barely walk. So this is going to be a big step up for me.

If you'd like to support my cause and make a donation to help me achieve my goal of raising $1,980 for LLS that would be greatly appreciated, no amount too small (or too big), you can donate online via my fundraising page.

And, in case you're wondering what I'm trying to do in the photo above, it's my attempt at swimming butterfly...badly!

A Dislocated Shoulder but 1st in Class

 March 29th 2009, Kona, Hawaii...Lavaman had arrived, it was time to race!

Kerry and I arrived in Hawaii with the TNT crew on the Friday and settled into our hotel and picked up our bikes. On Saturday it was an early start to see Dave Scott (6 time Ironman World Champion) provide some sagely advice for race day, then off for a practice swim, bike and run.

And then it was Sunday, up at 5:00am, quick bite to eat and cup of tea and then off to the hotel lobby for the 5:45am meet up. From there we all headed down to the transition area to setup our kit, get marked with our race numbers and pickup our timing chips.

At 7:00am everyone gathered at the start, or went for a warm up swim, come 7:15am the tension was building as the first wave of pros got ready to go at 7:30am, 3 minutes after that I'd be off and after 9 minutes Kerry would be following.

7:33am and I the race was on, 7:34am and my right arm was dislocated...as I reached forward with my hand someone must have been kicking backwards and kicked my shoulder out of its socket. So there I am, no left hand, can't use my right arm, just kicking to stay afloat. I waved my stump at the safety support dude on his surf board, unfortunately since all I could wave was my stump he just stood on his board staring at me blankly. So I had to kick myself over to him, rest my head on his board, relax my shoulder and pop it back in, then on with the race! All-in-all it probably cost me 2 minutes, but at least I wasn't out of the race.

Since I'm slower than most on the swim and the subsequent waves started only 3 minutes apart I had the pleasure of having the next 3 waves catch up with me and literally swim over the top of me...even the women, man they don't take prisoners!

45 minutes later and the swim was over. A short jog up the beach to the transition area and it was time for the 40km bike ride along Queen K (the main road of Ironman course fame). Despite my slow time on the swim I was able to make up time on the bike, passing many people during the ride. The last 6 miles or so were into a 15-20mph headwind, even though I was going down hill it was like peddling up hill! I was glad to be heading back to the transition area after about a 1 hr 30 mins ride.

Last leg left, 10km run...definitely not my favorite part. The first 1/2 mile of the run was across a lava field, uphill and into the headwind, what a start. At several points during the run I was heading uphill into that same headwind and the last mile or so of the course was along a single track path through lava fields, coral and finally a sandy beach.

I have to admit, I had to walk parts of the course, a combination of the heat and wind just wore me out, but I was determined to finish and just over an hour later the finish line was in sight. My total time was 3 hours 21 minutes, a few minutes faster than my tri at Pacific Grove, which considering the conditions wasn't too bad really.

The fun part was yet to come though, I had no idea, but, as we watched the awards ceremony I heard my own name, I wondered what on earth was going on...apparently I was first in my class, so I got to stand up on the podium and accept my prize in front of all these great triathletes. It was a bit lonely up there mind you, since I was actually the only one in my class, but hell I'll take all the awards I can get.

You can see more photos here.

My New Kindle 2

I just got my new Kindle 2 from Amazon, what a great device for one handed folks (although I'm sure that wasn't their primary design goal).

I've found that when I'm reading a book I have to hold it open with my one hand, which depending on the size and weight of the book can get tiring after a while. Also, I then don't have a spare hand to turn the page and sometimes the book just doesn't want to stay open. If I'm laying in bed reading it's a little hard to hold a book open when I'm on my side reading, especially if it's a hardback.

Now, don't get me wrong, it's not like this is a major obstacle in life, but it's always a delight when something comes along like solves these minor irritants and currently I'm being delighted by my Kindle 2.

The Kindle is easy to hold in one hand, or lay flat on the bed, or rest on one's knees and the e-Ink reflective screen really looks like the printed page, quite amazing and a pleasure to read even at an angle, just like a real book. I don't have to try to keep it open or put it down to flip pages, I can even hold it with my i-Limb hand!

But wait, there's more...I can buy and download books on the fly, have all my books immediately to hand anywhere I go and all in a device that's slim, trim and looks like a super-sized iPhone.

Thank you Amazon!

Deny Lightfoot

I met Deny (he's 22) a few weeks back, I was introduced to him via TouchBionics since he lives in the Northern California area and was very interested in the i-Limb hand after losing his hand in an industrial accident, back in December.

He dropped by with his sister, Rebecka, on their way to his medical appointment in San Francisco. Deny's hand was literally ripped of when his jacket got caught in a machine at work and for someone barely a month post accident, he's recovering extremely well, and for someone only 22, has a great positive outlook on life. It was interesting to swap "war" stories, he was comparing the feelings and sensations he gets with what I'd described on my blog during my recovery.

It was great to meet Deny and hopefully, in time, he'll be able to get fitted for an i-Limb hand and I hope he enjoys as much success with it as I have.

Swimming For Treasure

This weekend Kerry and I participated in the 1st Annual Halfway to Hawaii Practice Triathlon on Treasure Island as part of our training for Lavaman in March.

Now, why swimming in a wetsuit in the frigid waters off Treasure Island in January is considered training for swimming in the warm waters of Hawaii without a wetsuit is beyond me, but what the hell.

So on Sunday we all gathered at Treasure Island with our TNT team mates, many off whom had never done a triathlon before, to take part in a sprint triathlon (which is half the distance of the Olypmic distance we'll be doing in Hawaii). Even though it was a practice, the TNT staffers and volunteers put on a great event and it was pretty much like the real thing. Fortunately it wasn't raining as per the forecast and it turned out to be a great day, considering it's January!

It was funny watching all the participates snaking up the road towards the beach ready for the start, made for quite a sight I'm sure, however, that was nothing compared to watching everyone racing into the water once the race started.

 After a quick 14 minute swim I was running back to the transition area for my bike ride.

Cycling around Treasure Island wasn't all that easy, it's a twisty course as you wind around the roads and there are potholes everywhere, I even had to stop a few times at stop signs to let cars pass. The bike probably took a little less than an hour and then it was off for the run, only 3 miles, but, definitely not my favourite part.

After 1hr and 42 minutes I crossed the finish line, pleased it was all over. Kerry was barely 8 minutes behind me, she's getting more determined to beat me and at this rate she might just do it (she's faster on the swim, not too far behind on the bike and just needs to catch up on the run).

So we are doing all this to raise funds for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), we've raised over $1,000 towards our $5,880 goal, if you'd like to make a donation to help us along our way it would be greatly appreciated, it's easy to do online: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/lavatri09/kezandkeiron

In The Drink

Another day in the life of a triathlete, today was our first open water swim of the season at Aquatic Park in San Francisco and the water was a balmy 48F (9C), what a joy! Despite the chilly water we still had a great turnout by the team, all in their shiny new wetsuits.

I must say, it was a beautiful day once the sun came out, considering it's winter we've been very lucky with the weather.

After our swim we then headed out for a 40 minute run up to Crissy Fields and back, probably about 3 or so miles. After the swim my feet were so cold that when I started my run they felt like wooden blocks, I just couldn't feel them. The things we do, eh!

So far we've raised over $1,000 towards our $5,880 goal, thank you to all those that have been so generous in these tough times. If you'd like to make a donation it would be greatly appreciated, it's easy to do online: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/lavatri09/kezandkeiron

Opps!...I Did It Again

To quote Britney Spears, one of the great bards of our time (not!)...well, Kerry and I have signed up for another triathlon, Lavaman, in Kona Hawaii, on March 29th, 2009. It's an olympic distance race again (swim 1.5km, bike 40km, run 10km) and the course is partly on the Ironman World Championship course, which should be a great experience since I'm toying with the idea of doing an Ironman triathlon in 2010 (that's about 4 times the distances of an olympic event).

We're raising funds again for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) through Team In Training and this season we have also volunteered as staff to help everyone else achieve their dreams. We actually started training back in November and training through the winter is a bit different from training during the summer, not nearly as enjoyable. As you can see from the photo, riding in the rain is just one of the many pleasures.

Admittedly we've been a bit lax on the training so far, but, with the new year we'll have to kick things up a notch as we have less than 3 months until race day!

I'll keep everyone posted of my progress and if you'd like to make a donation to help us reach our $5,880 goal that would be very much appreciated, this time Kerry and I are fundraising together. You can donate via our fundraising page:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/lavatri09/kezandkeiron

Happy New Year everyone and best wishes for 2009.

Yours Truly on YouTube

Back in the summer I did a promo photo shoot for TouchBionics on their i-Limb hand. I hadn't seen the resulting video and then stumbled across it on YouTube the other day. Thought I'd post it for all to see, a bit of fun.

Most Expensive Halloween Costume Ever!

For Halloween this year I simply took the glove of my i-Limb hand, put on a leather biker jacket and pants, added a pair of sunglasses and voila, Terminator!

This photo was taken at a friends party (they go all out decorating their house). Just after this photo was taken someone came walking past and as I spoke they turned around and said to their partner, "hey, this one speaks", before she realized I wasn't a manikin but a real person. So I guess it must have been pretty convincing.

Next year I'll have to get into the gym so I also have the muscles to match the costume.

We Did It!

The alarm went off at 4:30am on Saturday, a quick shower to get the blood flowing and time to go meet everyone and cycle down to the race in the dark to setup in the transition area...thus started the big day.

Come 8:30am I was diving into the rather chilly waters of Pacific Grove surrounded by 100+ other nutters in the TNT men's wave, Kerry followed in the first of the TNT women's waves at 8:45am.

42min later I exited the water after swimming 1.5km and headed to the transition area to get my bike for the 40km ride.

It took me 1hr 26min to complete the ride and head back into the transition area to change for the run, my least favourite part of the event...2 down, 1 to go.

The 10km run was the hardest part, but, 1hr 3min later I was crossing the finish line with Mike Bishopp (a fellow Brit) waving the Union Jack flag high in the air.

In total it took me 3hr 23min 41sec to complete the race, beating my personal goal of 3hr 30min. Kerry finished in 3hr 55min 34sec, beating her goal of 4hrs. It was an amazing day, what an incredible sense of achievement!

Between the 2 of us we raised over $11,000 for LLS. To everyone who donated, thank you, thank you, thank you. Whilst it's been a long 3.5 months of training, it has been just so much fun being part of the East Bay TNT tri team and in a strange kind of way the race itself was actually quite enjoyable...maybe that means I'm now addicted to triathalons.

T-Minus 3 Weeks

We're into the closing stretch, there's only 3 weeks until our triathalon at Pacific Grove on 13th September. The second half of the training program has continued to build the intensity level and I've now completed two 30 mile cycle rides (takes about 2 hrs), four one mile open water swims (takes about 45 mins) and this weekend we completed a 7 mile run, our longest yet (which took about an hour and a half). So all in all I feel I should be in a good position to complete the race in under four hours, especially since one of the 30 mile rides was at 6,000 feet in Tahoe!

(The photo is off Kerry and I with R2, one of the coaches, at Aquatic Park in San Francisco after our open water swim and run).

And after our seven mile run on Saturday Kerry and I were up at 5:30am on Sunday to head down to Monterey to check out the triathalon course at Pacific Grove and go for a swim in the sea to practice crawling through the kelp, of which there is a lot...much more than I was expecting (see the photo). Then it was all change and off we went for a cycle ride around the bike course, cycling about twenty miles. By the time we got back home we just crashed and slept for a few hours...this training lark is quite tiring you know!

On the fund raising side I have been very fortunate to exceed my minimum amount by quite a bit, thank you to all those that have donated so far and in particular to those that have donated $100 or more: Sean, Martin; Julie; Prashant; Oda; Rich (and team at Diablo P&O); Bernhard; Joe (and team at eLeaseReturns); Tim; Kristi; Scott; Robert; Ivan; Ephraim (and team at OMG); Maya; John; Barry and Jugdeep....you guys rock, thank you so much. Also, Hearst (Kaboodle's parent company) generously donated $5,000 as a corporate sponsorship...big thanks to Ken, Scott, Scott & Ed for making this happen.

For those who would still like to donate to this great cause there is still time, the deadline is the 28th August and since I have exceeded my minimum it would be great if you could donate to Kerry instead and help her reach her $3,300 goal...she needs about $1,000 more and I'm sure all you generous folks can help her! Here's her fundraising page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/pactri08/kez.