Superhero Tri 19-Team Hannah

On Saturday 17th August 2019 I returned to Dorney Lake, near Windsor, to complete the Superhero Tri for a second time. I had previously competed in the first one in 2017, but missed out on the second one in 2018, due to just coming out of hospital and recovering from major surgery.

Team Hannah

This year I was back and raring to go! This time, not just with one team, but two teams, under the
umbrella of Team Hannah. Team Hannah was a great team. It consisted of Nia and Jon swimming; me cycling, with my Dad as my sidekick and Matt cycling; Ami wheeling/walking, with Ewan as her sidekick and my Mum walking.

Marvel-The Sponsor

This year the sponsor was Marvel. Each team was assigned to one of four superhero teams: Captain Marvel; Captain America; Hulk or Iron Man. Team Hannah came under team Captain America. I felt Captain America’s character
traits: ‘Courageous, determined and honest’ and mantra of ‘whatever it takes’ summed us up well!

The Triathlon-Swimming

Nia and Jon completed their 150 metre swim, in the lake and didn’t find any rats, to much of their relief! I found that swimmers were the hardest to recruit! Many people were not keen on the idea of swimming in a lake!
Not that I can blame them, I am more of a swimming pool kind of girl myself! Although, I believe the benefits are meant to be amazing.

Cycling Stage

I completed the 3km cycling stage, on a side-by-side upright tandem hand cycle, with my Dad. 

I had done lots of training, to prepare for the challenge, at the wonderful Surrey Wheels For All, Woking. Well, I say I did but I should say we, because Dad had to train too! I think he needed the training as much as me! Surrey wheels for all are a great organisation, who enable everyone to get cycling. They have a vast array of bikes, suitable for different disabilities and abilities, that you can use during sessions in Woking and Epsom.

Matt had the difficult challenge of cycling slowly-which isn’t easy- for the 3km, so he was in pace with Dad and me. I had to stop several times during the cycle to recover, to which Matt was very patient. There were three bridges involved which we had to cross twice. The first or two on the first half of the cycle didn’t seem too bad! We increased the speed of the bike in preparation of getting up the incline of the bridge, made it to the top and enjoyed a rest while the momentum took us on the decline. By the time we got to the third and fourth bridge I was frantically telling Dad to keep cycling and we were getting slower and slower and I was worried we were going to stop. We just made it to the top when we came to a halt. We were lucky that was then on the flat bit of the bridge so we could get going again and then use the decline to our advantage. I was huffing and puffing. Exhausted.
Finally, the last two bridges were approaching and fatigue was very high. I dug deep for extra energy and determination to get through. On the last bridge I was so tired despite a ‘run up’ before we got slower
and slower, we actually ground to a halt on the incline! The wonderful sidekicks asked if we wanted a push and poor Matt was probably worrying we were going to start rolling backwards and end up on top of him.
Determined to do it on my own I said: ‘we will do it’. Using all our effort we got to the top of the bridge and down the other side and to the transition zone! 

I was so exhausted. I didn’t even have the energy to slide board back into my powerchair; I just had to wait for a bit. Eventually, I made it! 

The Final Stage and Walk

Ami then wheeled the 1km, with Ewan as her sidekick, Mum walked the stage and I drove it in my powerchair. Ami did well managing to self propel parts of the wheel/ walk stage. The whole team walked the last stage and crossed the finish line together. When I say the whole team walked across the finish line, I mean the whole team. It was amazing!

Emotional. A huge milestone and achievement. Last year, I took my first step after 13.5 years. A week ago, I took my first steps outside, in preparation for getting across the finish line. I walked with my zimmer frame, SAFOs (silicone ankle foot orthotics) and the support of my Mum, Dad, Nia and Joe the last couple of metres over the finish line. It was made even more special as both Ami and I walked those few steps together, with our frames and support and conquered the superhero tri! The crowd also gave us immense support and got behind us chanting ‘Go team Hannah… Go Ami… Go Hannah’. I may be extremely slow, my arms have to take so much weight, it is exhausting, very painful and it is awkward. However, I did it. I succeeded. Handcycling 3km was an achievement, but walking those couple of metres was incredible!

We had amazing supporters, cheering us on, my very good friend-also Matt’s wife-Alison, Jon’s partner and their girls, Ami’s Mum, Ewan’s sister and niece and Steve, Nia’s partner. 

Who Were We Participating In Aid Of?

We completed the superhero tri in aid of White Lodge. A charity that supports disabled children and adults, in Surrey and the surrounding area. A charity that I am an ambassador for and feel passionate about supporting.

The Entertainment and Day

The entertainment and events of the day didn’t stop with the triathlon. There was wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and paracanoe to try out, dragon boats to go on. Many charity stalls and of course the celebrity tri, which is always highly competitive! The event was filmed by Channel 4 and hosted by Claire Balding, so watch out for Team Hannah on the TV on Saturday 31st August 2019!

Overall, it was a great day. It had the same ecstatic atmosphere that I have felt before, which is part of what makes this event so special. I was thrilled to meet new people and catch up with old friends including Dan, Emily, Emily’s Mum, Jenni and Eve. Why don’t YOU consider taking part in it next year? You will not be disappointed!

Hannah x

You might also like to read this previous blog on the SuperheroTri