Paratriathlete ambitions!

Lowell and his friend/guide Warren just ran their first race tethered! They are aiming to compete in paratriathlon at the international level, and this run was just part of a very involved training process.

Warren is an accomplished triathlete, and had a very respectable finish at Worlds last year. He noticed the momentum that paratriathlon was gaining, and knew Lowell was blind and motivated with a penchant for triathlons. He approached Lowell, they teamed up, and they have been individually working their behinds off since.

Their original goal was Brazil Paralympics 2016, but the week after setting this goal, male visually impaired paratriathletes were excluded from Rio 2016. BOO! Despite this disappointing news, they are continuing to work hard in hopes of competing internationally, and even aiming for Tokyo 2020.

They've tried the tandem thing (which sadly I was not around to photograph).
They've now run tethered.
The final piece of the puzzle is the tethered swim. And worry not... I will be there lurking under water with a camera.

Here's a glimpse of their first tethered run: the Lethbridge College 4 mile run...

They're off!

The boys waited patiently in the freezing cold wind, and began enthusiastically jumping up and down when they spotted Lowell and Warren coming around the bend!

 

Here they come! I may have become a bit of a sobby emotional mess when I spotted Warren's arm gently guiding Lowell. Gosh... so special.

See how they're connected by the cord between them? GO BOYS GO!

30:10 was their final time for the 4 miles, and that put them in second place. Lowell was a tad frustrated with the time, but I think that a) it's an amazing time, and b) it was a stinkin windy day on actual terrain (vs a treadmill) with people all over the place, and it was their FIRST TIME TETHERED. A highly successful first if you ask me!

The boys and their coach, Lori. She has quite the list of achievements herself, and she's donating her time to help them achieve their goals... I love her!

Lowell and Warren are working so hard, and doing all in their power to be the best they can be. Owning a custom tandem bicycle to fit their measurements is a dream, but somewhat of a costly dream. Soooo... if your brother's friend happens to have a wealthy uncle looking for a great cause to sponsor, feel free to give us a dingle! ;)

I'm so proud of these men and their ambitions. I can hardly wait to see where this journey takes them!

GO LOWELL & WARREN!!