Obstacle Mud Runner - issue 6

17 ForEliteAtheletes to FunRunners 01732 452404 RACE : HELEN CHAPMAN my performance but I was turned down 4 times. I decided to raise the money myself. It took a couple of years but in 2014 I finally had my blade made in my favourite colour – pink, nicknamed Pinkie Powerleg. I soon adapted to having Pinkie and made improvement after improvement. I was smashing pb’s and participating in other events. I ran the London Marathon again and knocked an hour off my time, completing it in 5 hrs 33 mins. I took part in a X country event which I loved, it was raining hard, I slipped and face planted the mud. Hence, my next challenge. Endure 24 – I had to complete as many 5 miles laps as I could for my amazing team in 24hrs. I completed 4 with the worst weather I’d ever run in but myself and Pinkie survived it. I loved getting wet, the muddy terrain, the uneven surface. If Pinkie could do this, then she could do an OCR. I had been toying with the idea for a while and now here I was booking up my first event which was the Mucky Races muddy 5, a 5k obstacle race. I didn’t know what to expect but Pinkie and I turned up on our own ready to start. The encouragement, help and support was overwhelming throughout. The camaraderie was awesome. I got help where needed, getting me over walls and up slippery ditches. I had so much fun, I was hooked. I sought my next adventure. Tackling my fear of heights, getting through deep water where I couldn’t feel the bottom, climbing things I’d never climbed before all gave me a huge sense of achievement and the more I did, the more I wanted. As I progressed over my first year I became an ambassador for Dirty Dozen races which I’m honored to have inspired others to get fitter and healthier and try OCR. To prove that everything is possible no matter what your ability, I went on to qualify and ran in the 2015 OCR World Championships. This sport has changed me both physically and mentally and I want to encourage others to follow their dreams. I’ve had many up’s and down’s with little leg since then, problems with muscles, bone growth and a distorted stump meant I needed a further amputation up to below knee. 2016 was a year out for me and I spent most of it on crutches or in my wheelchair marshalling races until I recovered. I was still involved as much as I could be and continue to receive much support from the OCR community, including fundraising for my new running blade, aptly named Pinkie MK2. I’m now 10 months post op and have had my everyday leg “Rocky” for 7 months. I’m starting training and getting back in the mud where I belong. Pinkie MK2 is in the process of being made and I’m delighted to think that I’ll soon be back. I truly believe that this is what I was made for and where I’m meant to be. I’m now 49 and this chapter feels like a new beginning. The future is going to be an awesome one so watch this space! Helen The camaraderie was awesome. I got help where needed, getting me over walls and up slippery ditches. I had so much fun, I was hooked Photo: Nuclear Races