United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Just completed the Malibu triathlon last weekend, Sept 8th and thought I would post as few pictures. The triathlon is on the shorter side, 1/2 mile swim, 18 mile ride and 4 mile run. It might be short, but it is one of the tougher short ones because the swim is straight out through the ocean breakwater and it can be cold.

I got third place in the Para division and was the first one armed guy, then again, there were only two one armed guys there. Still, lots of fun and a great day.

Dan

DAN!!! YEAH!!!!!!
Just for kicks, what stroke do you use ???
Best stroke I found to do was a one arm side stroke, balance by kick
YOur Doing Great, There is much to be said about Tenacity,
Tom

WAY TO GO,DAN!!
You Rock! *Heart*
Carolyn J
LOBPI/75

awesome pics! congrats!

Master DIVER TOM wrote:DAN!!! YEAH!!!!!!
Just for kicks, what stroke do you use ???D

Hi Tom,

Here is the swim technique I use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf76AOvrjqk

I have been coached by Alan and swam with other top one armed triathletes when they were developing this technique. It feels very natural and it also is great for distance swimming and or triathlons. Reason it is so good for triathlons is you need to conserve as much energy as possible on your swim and this style helps keep your kick calmer. A harder kick is actually bad for triathlons because your legs are bigger muscles and those use more energy, so when you get out of the water, you have used up a lot of energy compared to everyone else. This way, you increase the turnover in your arm (smaller muscles, less energy) and actually get better propulsion. I added all this extra explanation because Alan doesn't address this in the video, he spends most of the time showing and explaining how to swim this way.

Dan

Hi Dan
I learn a way to swim , you thought yourself how to do a race, which is awesome-!!
There are many post I read , ware I learned a way to adapt my way and what amazes me to, is the way others find away to adapt which is just as good or a better way of adapting to do the same task.
Thank you for sharing this with me ,
Can you share this on the other posting sight to
This might help there to, showing another way to swim to kids and adults, there are alot of swimmers with these injuries
Thanks Dan
Tom

Solid work Dan! I got into paratri beginning last year, where I got to meet champion arm athletes like Joel and Robin.

One thing that paratri gave me was exposure to the para community in general, where things really get put into perspective. Sure swimming, cycling, and running with 1 arm is pretty tough, but how about doing it with no use of your legs? Or without sight? It makes you pretty thankful for what you do have, and is a great example of the human will to overcome.

MW

Great pics! And great to see more folks with BPI's taking part in endurance sports.

I run long distance - mainly ultra marathons (raced the UK Long Distance Champs for the second time this year - first time was in 206, but ran over 75min quicker this year!), but have raced track and cross country also. I've recently started riding a bit more (I was a sub 70min sprint triathlete before my injury) but swimming has always caused me quite a bit of neck pain when I go beyond a few hundred metres. Haven't minded too much - was always my worst discipline having been a cyclist before a triathlete But it's interesting to see the technique in the link you posted - it's so different to 'normal' swim technique and after years of having a specific style coached into me, I attempted to recreate it with one hand - unsuccessfully. Will give this one a try when I'm at the gym tomorrow. Thanks

Garrett

There is nothing about scuba diving that comes with swimming, To save my neck , I used a one arm side stroke power and the power really comes with using a side kick motion. I taught myself this stroke growing up with birth erbs. The accommodation really a mask and snorkel I wonder if you use them in cooperative swimming?? This way you could save your neck and be-able to try other types of swimming strokes , because you would not half to turn your head out of the water
In scuba diving you just kick with your feet and never really swim in a dive.
Maybe this might help at the pool ???
All you guys make me in your races Sometimes we smile by looking back and seeing how far we all have come in adapting over time
Just thinking ,
Tom

Bravo !