This post was originally published on usatriathlon.org. I am re-publishing it on my site as a reader inquired about my experience. This event took place in April 2010.
Team Achilles at Duathlon Nationals
It was less than two weeks from USA Triathlon’s Duathlon Nationals when a friend introduced me to Heidi Chadwick, the tri organizer at Achilles International in New York. She wanted to know if I would be interested in guiding one of their blind athletes. Intrigued by the idea, I immediately contacted Heidi and before you know it, I met Dale Layne, one of Achilles’ top duathletes. We went on a few training sessions, and then we were off to Richmond, Virginia to compete in the Duathlon National Championship.
Dale, currently 29 years old, completely lost his vision at 19 due to glaucoma. He has trained with Achilles International, a worldwide organization that helps physically challenged athletes participate in athletics, since January 2009. When I asked Dale what his goals were, he responded, “To finish the bike leg in under 1:30 and finish overall in less than 3 hours.” Could we do it? We believed we could.
Dale and I got off to a fast start,literally. We were behind schedule on the morning of the race and quickly arrived at the race site around 7:30 a.m., thanks to Achilles volunteer Richard Gasparro’s awesome driving skills. Our scheduled start time? 7:45 a.m.!
The team hurried to get our timing chips, check-in our excess bags, and use the restroom. We then prepared our transition area and sprinted to the starting line, which was a quarter-mile away. I wondered if there was an award for top race-prep time!
Dale remained calm throughout the chaotic process. With the start line within 5 seconds of our reach, the start horn goes off and we continued to run without stopping. We just made it!
We quickly set out to our goal pace of 9 minute miles and simply enjoyed the run. Several athletes wished us luck and told us “great job” throughout the run, with an enthusiastic Dale responding “Thanks, you too!” I guided Dale away from cobblestones, warned him of changes in course elevation and helped him maintain a steady pace throughout the well-marked course.
About a mile into the 5K, while going through my mental checklist, I realized I forgot my helmet! We remained calm and were determined to overcome yet another challenge by asking random strangers if we could borrow their helmets. Getting nothing but stunned and confused reactions, we continued onwards to avoid further delay with Dale reinforcing the importance of staying positive.
Coming into T1, we found Richard and asked for help in finding a spare helmet. While Richard embarked on a rescue mission, we took advantage of the downtime to recollect ourselves and hydrate. Richard came to the rescue again in record-helmet-retrieving time and we began our feat to complete the 38K bike course in sub-1:30.
The bike course had a great combination of flat roads, undulating hills and sweeping turns. Everyonetook notice of the Achilles train, as we were one of the few riding a tandem bike. The support of the crowds, competing athletes and USAT volunteers continued to amaze and energize us with the seemingly endless chants of “go Achilles!” and “great job!” As we approached lap 3 of the bike course, we fed off the crowd and gave it everything we had down an exhilarating hill. Dale and I “bombed” the hill and finished strong for the remainder of the last lap to contribute to an overall bike time of 1:26!
With one more 5K run to go, the finish line was close – yet so far. Dale’s Herculean efforts on the bike cramped his left quadriceps, which forced us to shuffle between running and walking. We crossed the finish line in celebration of completing one of the most challenging races Dale has ever done, well under his goal of sub-3 hours.
As a first-time guide, the experience for me was fulfilling to see the team achieve their own personal goals. They are an inspiring group that races because they love overcoming challenges.
Congratulations to all the Achilles members who finished strong!
TRI1: Joe Dowling (Old Greenwich, Conn.)
TRI2: Ben Simmons (New York, N.Y.)
TRI6: Lamar Brown (Bronx, N.Y.)
TRI6: Dale Layne (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Thanks USAT for accommodating us. We’ll see you next year…early AND with a helmet!
To get involved as a volunteer guide, visit achillesinternational.org for more information.
