The next step in my athletic journey: Para-triathlon

It is taking me courage and vulnerability to create this post because part of doing so entails me admitting that, despite my best efforts at overcoming my neurological condition which I was diagnosed with in early December of 2022, this ‘injury’ is actually a disability. My condition is permanent and can, at times, be life interfering if I am not diligent to maintain my rehabilitation and new life habits I have acquired as a means to control the tremors and spasms. My condition is called Dystonia: a neurological disorder that results in involuntary muscle spasms throughout the body. Mine are most evident in my right leg but at times I have spasms throughout my body as well as mild tremors. To be honest, my treatment team and I are still very much exploring this diagnosis in order to assess if there is any additional underlying pathophysiology, such as Parkinson’s Disease. So far, my symptoms continue to line up with those of Dystonia.

In December of 2022, when my condition was at it’s worst, I set out on a journey to rehabilitate and get back to racing as soon as possible. I completed daily rehabilitation exercises, brain and eye exercises, meditation, deep breathing and more. I sought out a physical therapist, a doctor who is well versed in dystonia, an acupuncturist, and a sports psychologist. I poured my heart and soul into rehabbing to the point where I became blinded to my reality. My acquired disability.

The breaking point came when the XTERRA (off-road triathlon) series directors emailed me to let me know they did not think it was safe for me to race with this condition, especially on a mountain bike where the risk of crashing and suffering more damage to my brain is a real possibility. I was devastated. I knew in that moment, the vision I had held for so long (beyond just the past 6 months- the past 10 years) was crumbling right in front of me.

But there is hope, and there is a path forward. I cannot tell this story without bringing attention to the fact that my husband has a disability, one he was born with, and he races at a very high level in para-cycling (para is used to describe those sports in which athletes with disabilities compete). Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that the man I would marry would hold a clue to my future. Not to mention, being married to an adaptive athlete (a more appropriate term for athletes with disabilities) would provide me with the support, motivation and encouragement to pursue para-triathlon.

I am still processing my new reality, but at the same time, I am also moving forward on a new path. One that may lead to outcomes greater than I could ever imagine! I am open to seeing where this journey leads me. I have the support of Triathlon Canada and their para-triathlon coaches. I have the support of my care team. I have the support of my coach. I have the support of my family and friends. But most importantly, I have my own support. As humbling as this experience has been, I am letting go of expectations and just loving myself every day.

On a recent phone conversation with my mom, I told her, I am no longer bound by old rules and patterns that clearly do not serve me anymore. Moving forward, the plan is as simple as showing up, giving my best and being….me! That sounds like a great start to this new journey.

A few more details on racing para-triathlon (or any ‘para’ sport) for those who may be new to this world (as I am): In order to race in para races, athletes need to be ‘classified’ based on their ABILITY to perform with their disability. This process is long and tedious (as my friend, Grace Norman (2020 Paralympian), mentioned to me. It requires a lot of medical assessments and tests, physical assessments, and more. And with a neurological condition which has an element of unpredictability to it (the symptoms can vacillate from one day to the next) there is no guarantee I will be able to be classified and race para—triathlon at the international level. But, as I told my coach, all we know is the here and now, and right now, my condition is such that I cannot race in ‘able-bodied’ races. So we are going with the flow and taking the opportunities as they come.

The classification categories include 2 wheelchair categories, 2 vision-impaired categories, and 4 ‘standing’ categories with the lowest standing category (PTS2) including athletes with the most degree of disability and the highest standing category (PTS5) including athletes with the mildest form of disability. These disabilities can range from loss of limbs to neurological conditions that result in loss of power, loss of range of motion, loss of balance, etc.

This summer, Triathlon Canada and USA Triathlon have allowed me the opportunity to race the USA Triathlon - Paratriathlon Development Series. This includes 5 races around the country in which up and coming paratriathletes who are in the process of getting classified can race.

I am simultaneously excited and curious for what lies ahead, but I can’t deny that I am still a bit heartbroken to say goodbye to a form of racing I have pursued for so many years. If I’m honest, my racing career has been riddled with adversity and frustration. It makes me wonder if, all along, this would ultimately be my path and that the previous 10 years of triathlon were a stepping stone to something greater: Paratriathlon.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you: the highs, the lowest, the victories, the defeats and all the in-betweens. I’m not quite sure what my ‘greater purpose’ in all of this is yet, but I’m certain if I keep an open mind and embrace change, the reason will become clear.

For those who have followed my journey all these years, thank you for the support. For those who are just getting to know me, I hope I can learn from you and you can learn from me. Because I am realizing now more than ever that people need people in order to achieve amazing feats!

Onward.