Fancy guiding me through the Windrush Aquathlon, 25 June?

For those who don’t know me I’m  blind and use guides for runs, swims, triathlons etc.  I am entered for the Aquathlon and let’s just say a vacancy has arisen to be my guide.  If you are interested I’ve tried  to set out what might be involved guiding me as follows  

Swim

 

This mainly requires swimming alongside me in the lido and nudging or tapping me if I veer off line or am about to hit the end neither are likely and I might also have tappers at each end   I would  square off at the end of each length so  my shoulders are against the end to ensure I’m correctly orientated before I set off again.  I’m not the fastest and reckon I might do the 500m in around 12 mins so as long as you’re faster than this you should be fine.  It really is straightforward but I’d suggest a practice to make sure you are  happy with the swim arrangements.   

 

Transition

 

You just have to guide me from the poolside to the start of the run via collecting our trainers.  Probably leading while I follow holding on to your arm.  You may have to warn me of any obstacles.

 

Run

 

If you haven’t guided before it involves running alongside me whilst we hold on to either end of a short tether.  The key is to describe detail like turns, changes in running  surface, narrowing paths, other runners etc. sufficiently in advance before we reach them.  You can also tug on the tether or pull /push my arm, if you need an immediate response from me.  Again this should be more straightforward than it sounds and we can have a practice to make sure there are no issues.  I currently would run this in just over 27 mins. 

 

If the above sounds like the sort of challenge you’re up for just PM me and we can take it from there. For the avoidance of doubt you don’t have to have a place to be  a guide.

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Bump - just to add to this Guiding is challenging but very rewarding - the most difficult parts are open water swimming and cycling....and luckily the Aquathlon involved neither of those challenges. What I hope is that we can build up a team of Windrush members able to guide to improve the diversity and inclusiveness of the club.

Ideally to be able to focus on guiding you need a margin on the person you are guiding so you are running/swimming well within your comfort zone (and ahem are not carrying any injuries)

But if you can run Brockwell Parkrun sub 25 minutes and can do 750m in around 16 mins you should be able to cope and I'd be happy to answer any questions/ pass on what I have learned so far.

Finally if there is anyone else keen to give paratri a chance get in touch - there are still paratri places available

I was due to do a work thing this Sunday but that has now been cancelled, so I would be happy to guide you during the Windrush Aquathlon Haren.

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