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Sunday, January 30, 2011

Hey!! I'm Desperate And Need To Win A Computrainer!!!

Well what can I say, 'I love it!!'.  Here's what I wrote into the Racermate (http://www.computrainer.com) WANTED: DESPERATE ATHLETE Contest:

My name is Kimberly Fawcett and I am an officer in the Canadian Forces (http://www.kimberlyfawcett.me).  I lost my right leg while on duty five years ago.  I started triathlon as part of rehabilitation and love it.  I have progressed to the point where I know I'll make the Canadian Paralympic Paratriathlon Team (I medalled at the Worlds in 2008 & 2010), but need your help to get to the top of the podium.  I have used a CompuTrainer several times and immediately noticed improvement in my pedal stroke and found that I can actually generate power with my prosthetic leg!!!

I had the privilege of trying out this piece of kit a couple of times and knew that I had stumbled onto something really good.  For the first time in my life I was able to visually see how much power my residual limb can actually generate on the bike through the SpinScan Pedal Analysis feature.  I am of course, an above-the-knee amputee - well actually a through-the-knee amputee.  Because I have my full quad and hamstring, with the CompuTrainer's help, I have re-learned to use these muscle groups.

One benefit of being a traumatic amputee is that I have muscle, ligament and tendon memory.  I know how my leg should work and how to fire the muscles.  With the CompuTrainer's help, I awoke my sleeping nerves and muscle memory as I learned to climb.  This came to me as a complete shock to be honest.  I think in my mind I always thought my leg muscles were working, but I really couldn't see any results to confirm it.  Using the SpinScan, I can actually see my progress.  I can also help train my brain to learn the signals from my muscles when they fire.  These associations are critical as they help me in my everyday activities, like walking and running.

The CompuTrainer is a great piece of equipment, but it comes at a fairly large upfront cost.  If I win this contest, it will put me in good stead for success at my planned ITU races in London, Edmonton and the World Championships in Beijing.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!!!