YOU’RE going to run a marathon? You can’t even walk.

…and that, my friends, is how my journey to the finish line of the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon began.

2023 TCS NYC Marathon AWD Village

I’m not a stranger to marathon racing. As a handcyclist, I’ve had good days on the course, and I’ve had great days on the course. There are no bad days. It’s that simple. Yes, there have been bad moments or bad segments, but any day that involves waking up, getting out of bed, and doing what you love is a good day.

Suffering through the rain, snow, sleet, frigid temperatures, and ungodly winds of the 2018 Boston Marathon was a good day.

Crossing that same finish line first a year later and standing with a flag draped around my shoulders as the National Anthem played was a great day.

2019 Boston Marathon Podium

2018 Boston Marathon

2018, 2019, and 2021 offered a series of great days, too, when I crossed the finish lines of the TCS NYC Marathon first.

I’ve completed over 20 marathons, but, until November 5, 2023, I never had the true marathon experience. Competing as a handcyclist generally means a faster pace through the neighborhoods, limited crowd support, and an overall shortened experience. But completing a marathon on crutches? That’s an entirely different experience.

I can’t run. Hell, I can’t even walk unaided. Yet I knew I would finish a marathon on my crutches.

The recipe for success? Determination and adaptation.

Determination, I had.

Adaptation, I needed.

Enter LEVER Movement.

I met the LEVER crew at the 2022 TCS NYC Marathon Expo. From moment one, they were kind, caring professionals who were just as stoked as I was when I "ran" on their treadmill for the first time in 30# years.

LEVER at the 2022 TCS NYC Marathon Expo

Two months later, while standing in the meet-and-greet line after a Christine D’Ercole class at the Peloton studio in NYC, I made up my mind: I was going to run the 52nd annual TCS NYC Marathon. That was it. Decision made. I remained unwavering after being questioned by my

medical team, family, and friends. I knew I could and would finish.

PSNY with CDE

I was a few months into training when I remembered my experience with LEVER. A quick Google search led me to their website and, minutes later, with the click of a button, I rented a LEVER setup.

LEVER allows you to revolutionize your training and recovery by reducing up to 45 pounds of your body weight for improved performance and faster recovery during your workout. Lightweight and portable, LEVER’s patented body weight support system allows athletes everywhere to experience the functional benefits of body weight-assisted training at home and while traveling.

Cool, right? But wait. I’m an adaptive athlete. How will this help me?

Using LEVER, I can walk at varying paces on our treadmill without my crutches. Not only does this save my wrist and shoulder joints, it forces me to rely more on my legs. Depending on my leg strength and ability on that particular day, I may have to have a hand or two on the treadmill to stabilize myself, but I can put in longer and, believe it or not, faster paced workouts by reducing my body weight.

TOTAL GAME CHANGER. Yup. That’s what it is.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/a12aa7_3ff55b99646c40d0a99f1fe166f5619f/720p/mp4/file.mp4

So, did it work?

It absolutely did.

9 hours, thirteen minutes, and sixteen seconds after I stepped off the start line, I crossed the finish line.

NONE of this would have been possible without LEVER.

Find out for yourself: www. https://levermovement.com/