Ep 60: Ian Walker - Paraplegic Handbiker - Ultra distance Athlete

Ian Walker was an avid Football fan , referee and coach but in  early December 2006 his life took an unexpected turn. Until then he was running marathons and was a nationally ranked football (soccer), referee.

On that Wednesday morning he got on his road cycle and went for a ride during which he cycled head first into the rear of a truck and trailer resulting in me suffering a spinal cord injury at T3/4 (mid thoracic) level and requiring a wheelchair for mobility.

This was a huge body blow, being no longer able to use his legs. However life must and does go on and he soon realised that this was his new normal and it was better for me to get on with life.

The issue for him was to replace my running with another activity. 

He discovered handcycling and fell in love with it as it enables him to continue with his love of long distance physical exertions.

Since then he has successfully completed the TCS New York City Marathon and Buller Gorge Marathon twice each and the ASB Christchurch City Marathon once. He now lives his life to the following creed ‘do not let what you cannot do stop you from doing what you can’. This is, he believes, a mindset that all can adopt as life is what you make it.

We would also like to thank the sponsors of this show. 

The North Face -

Premier Outdoor equipment specialists who have been kitting out adventurers around the world for the past 50 years. 

Specialists in trail running gear - Check out their full range at www.thenorthface.co.nz

Running Hot Coaching: 

The online training platform run by Lisa Tamati and Neil Wagstaff. 

Do you have a dream to run a big race, maybe a half marathon, a marathon or even an ultramarathon?

Have you struggled to fit in the training in your busy life?

Maybe you don't know where to start or perhaps you have done a few races but keep having motivation or injuries troubles?

Do you want to beat last years time or finish at the front of the pack?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then we can help you.

We promise to get you to the start line in the best shape ever! We will give you the benefit of our years of knowledge and experience in competing and training athletes, so you can avoid the mistakes, train efficiently, have fun and stay in optimal health while you are doing it.

So who are we?

Lisa Tamati is an a professional ultramarathon runner with over 25 years experiences racing the world's toughest endurance events and leading expeditions. Author of two internationally published running adventure books. She is also a mindset expert. From crossing the Libyan desert on foot to running Death Valley to running the length of NZ for charity, she has been there and done that. For more information on Lisa click here: www.lisatamati.co.nz

Neil Wagstaff is an exercise scientist, coach and ultramarathon runner with over 22 years experience in the health and fitness industry. He has trained hundreds of athletes and coaches alike to the successful completion of their goals.  For more info or to download our free run training ecourse go to www.runninghotcoaching.com/running-success

Training Tilt software - a complete toolkit for trainers, health and fitness professionals, coaches and nutritionists, combine your website, ecommerce needs, client communication and training plans into one easy to use platform. Find out more at www.lisatamati.co.nz/trainingtilt

 

The Path of an Athlete - Mindset academy. An in-depth online programme that teaches you how to develop mental toughness, resilience, leadership skills, a never quit mentality, mental wellbeing and the keys for success in anything you set your mind to.

Do you wish you had the mental toughness of an extreme athlete? Do you seek the confidence to deal with any threat, to steer any situation or challenge to a positive outcome?

If so, you can now learn the secrets to mental toughness and to developing a never quit mindset from someone who has been there and done that and lived to tell the tale.

For more information go to www.lisatamati.co.nz/ecourse

 

 

.