[Sportsandrec] Question about triathlons

Sun Jun 12 21:37:38 UTC 2016

Ashley,

Tethering at the wrist or arm is not preferable for run or swim. It impedes
the arm movements, especially for swim.

I'm doing a tri sprint, so we swim 500 yards during an open swim in a lake.
Then bike 15 miles and run 3 miles.

I'm fast at swim and bike. I am maintaining 2 minutes, 30 seconds for every
100 yards, and doing about 4 minutes/mile on bike. Run has been more
difficult for me. I used to be a runner but not have done it in years. I
exercise regularly powerwalking or using an elliptical, but actual running
is not coming back to me as quick as I would like. Right now, I have to
alternate between jogging and powerwalking.

The tri I'm doing does not follow triathlon or paraolympic regulations. So
we are using this pole device where my partner is in front holding handles
with wrist loops, and I'm in the back also holding handles and loops. I
actually prefer this method. I find it helps me run straighter. And my
partner and I are pretty well matched, so our strides and arm movements are
in sync.

For swim, so far, we've been in a pool with lanes, so we have not tethered.
This week is our first open swim practice, so we will work on how to tether.
I'm actually faster than my partner in the water. We don't want anything
impeding our strokes or leg movements.

My partner is much more amenable to me calling the shots than our coach. He
means well, and is a super nice guy, but he's the type of person who thinks
his way is the best way. He's really smart and does have great ideas, but he
needs to ultimately leave it up to me and the other blind people on our
team.

I'm enjoying this experience until I run, then I hate it, LOL! Swim and bike
are great, run is just a bitch, forgive the language, grin.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Ashley Bramlett via SportsandRec
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2016 4:14 PM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Question about triathlons

Bridgit,

I suppose everyone is different. I've tried running while tethered. For me,
tethering at the wrist did affect my movement. I'd rather hold onto the
tether with my hand to run or jog. For swimming, I've never done it with a
guide; I'm always swimming in a pool.
Oh, actually swam in a lake but sighted people were watching me and verbally
pointed me in the right direction when I came up to breathe; obviously, they

could not verbally guide me while   I was under water.
I personally would not want to be tethered at the wrist to swim. I'd rather
be connected at the upper arm, I think.
But, I've not had the need to try it, so I'm not sure what would work.

Good luck finding a solution.
And, plenty of people have come up with techniques for me too.
Like you, I do not like being told what works before we try it.

I think you are right on target that you need to practice with your guide
trying out various techniques and pick what works for you.

How long is your triathlon?

Ashley

-----Original Message-----
From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Sportsandrec
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 11:48 AM
To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Question about triathlons

We are using tandem bikes. Does tethering at wrist impede arm movement at
all?

Our "device" guy has designed these tethers that are essentially a hoola
hoop cut in half. One side will attach to each swimmers back. So we will
have a half loop sticking out of the water and attached to each  of us in a
fashion. I have not seen this device yet as we have not tried attaching yet
during swim practice. I have no clue how it will work. We are working with a
tri team, and us blind members have said we will be a part of deciding what
works when it comes to the visual impairment aspect, but our coach and this
guy just keep coming up with devices they think will work. I've repeatedly
said we need to try things out with us first, and what works for one of us
might not for another, and also to contact blind people who have done this
before, but clearly I'm not getting through. I really want to see this
through and compete, but I don't like basically being told how I should
compete as a blind person.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Sportsandrec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe
Shaw via Sportsandrec
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 10:13 AM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Joe Shaw <jrs3147 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Question about triathlons

Good morning.
Body tether for the swim, it goes around the torso and wrist tethers for the
run with a tandom bike.
I'm considering dipping in a toe myself.
Joe Shaw
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gaston Bedard via Sportsandrec" <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
To: "'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'"
<sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Gaston Bedard" <gasbedard at videotron.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2016 10:00 AM
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Question about triathlons

>
> Bridgit
>
> I'm in a rush at the moment.
> I'm a runner and swimmer, totally blind.
> I do know that the International Paralympic Committee, has rules and 
> regulations pertaining to blind triathletes.
> I believe the blind runner is tethered to the guide in the run portion.
>
> I can look it up later on, if you like.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sportsandrec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf 
> Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Sportsandrec
> Sent: June-06-16 8:35 PM
> To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Subject: [Sportsandrec] Question about triathlons
>
> Hello,
>
>
>
> I'm new to the list. I'm training for a triathlon, and I've never done 
> it as a blind person. My partner and I have a device that's two poles 
> with handles at the end. She's in front, and I'm in the back. It seems 
> to work well.
>
>
>
> However, for the swim, I'm not sure what's the best way to be 
> tethered. I actually an concerned that once we tether, my swim skills 
> will
lessen.
> Swim
> is my strength, but we have yet to try it connected. It will also be 
> an open swim the day of the race, so for me, being connected somehow 
> may be best since I could lose my orientation.
>
>
>
> Any advice and suggestions? How have others done open swims with a 
> partner?
>
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> Bridgit
>
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