Superheroes Winter Wonderland Adventure Report!
- timetoheal1210
- Dec 18, 2021
- 6 min read
‘Want a Be’ Superheroes with LTHC’s/Disabilities
Racking up the miles on a virtual trek around the world to deliver presents to some top cities around the world!
Through from the 20 November until the 6 December
In houses, gyms, outdoor spaces and anywhere you can exercise!
To help motivate, inspire and support people to access sport and exercise on their own level, but to be part of a team.
A combination of sport, exercise and sensory actions, converted into KM’s and added to the team total. Utilising as many aids and resources as needed, including those extra special sidekick supporters!
So The Superhero Winter Wonder Land powered by Marvel is Over.
So we have reached the finishing line-virtually!
The Challenge Is Complete!
Four Great Teams!
One super impressive group of eight Disability Sports Ambassadors, representing Essex as part of National Team Billy.
Check out all the action from the challenge below!
Participating in this event has been fantastic and really motivating. I have loved to see the different ways that people are ramping up the distance and using such variety. The way you can see the leaderboard in different perspectives along the round the world trip to thinking about the Festive season around the world. Discovering what Christmas means to those people in different countries. This is truly a learning experience and great for all ages. With colourful cartoons to entice younger ones, alongside proper maps and the chance for solo people to feel a part of a team and meet others in a safe environment.
Knowing that this at home event would be immediately followed by the first outdoor event at Lake Dorney in 2 years makes it even more special. Don’t just take my word for it though! Here we go with some insights into the other Active Essex Disability Ambassadors personal journeys;
The distance required for our team total to get us from lands End to John ‘O’ Groats, which was an ambitious target of 370 KM well and truly smashed as the team hit 982.4 KM's! Plus a great contribution to #TeamBilly who placed third in the National Competition, having travelled around the world delivering presents coming over the line with a huge 46,000 KM before the official end to the challenge!
Billy Ray Mansell kicks us off with yet more incredible data!
‘A little statistic from the at home event that I recieved about the combined efforts around the world was this! Over the 2 week period 1,500 Superheroes and Sidekicks collectively travelled a whopping 184,000 Km! WOW! If that isn’t something to be proud of, I don’t know what is!’
On a more personal note;
‘It was a SUPER motivating challenge that I felt really connected to by having the honour to be one of the four Super Team Captains. To have been connected with various Superheroes and Sidekicks around the world and here in Essex was very inspiring. I really enjoyed following updates shared throughout.
While this challenge has been different for me than previous challenges along with health issues, I could not be prouder of being part of such an incredible force for good! Looking forward to the future events, I hope that even more Superheroes and Sidekicks can find their power through this’.
Anne Wafula Strike MBE used the challenge to help her comeback from injury and highlights the importance of a good sleep routine. Wafula says that;
‘In the last couple of weeks, these exercises have helped me sleep better which has meant waking up feeling more energised and in a much more better mood. The strength in my shoulders is definitely coming back and I look forward to exercising and clocking some minutes and mileage three to four times a week’.
Sasha has completed challenges in the past but this time he shows how animals and the support of other ambassadors can make a huge difference as he comments that;
‘I have enjoyed this challenge even though it was cold and wet, my sidekick who is my dog called Amy has helped me as I’ve been walking her when I can. I’ve also done different activities like swimming. Billy Ray Mansell has inspired me to do the challenges without him telling me about them I wouldn’t know anything about them. I can’t wait to do them next year’
Ian Duggen found this as the perfect way to get out of the house and experience the wonders of Nature saying;
‘I’ve really enjoyed taking part in the Superhero Series At Home Challenge. It’s given me a reason to get out running and cycling and knowing my team mates were also getting out and adding to our total mileage inspired me to try and do a little bit more!’
Mel Huggins shares why exercise is so important, reporting that;
‘Exercising never fails to boost my energy levels! I feel movement is definitely the best thing I can do for myself to improve my physical and mental wellbeing, it relieves any stresses I may be feeling and helps prepare you physically for the future. I love that feeling of achievement I get once I have completed a goal I’ve set myself! I’d always recommend some form of movement throughout the day to overcome any sort of barrier as you’ll be surprised how many ways it can impact your life positively!’
Sam Holmes demonstrates how every now and again we need to go beyond our comfort zone in order to keep moving;
‘For me this challenge came at the right time, as I needed that push.
Started to lose the mojo a bit after the Marathon, so to get the chance to join my fellow All Together Ambassadors and awesome captain Billy to clock up those kms was the perfect kick start to getting active again'
Finally but by no means last is Hayley Chapman who was the one to get us moving in the first place, showing how adaptive this challenge is;
‘An unexpected injury before the challenge meant that my usual forms of activity were off the cards and I could have easily become inactive, but inspired and motivated by my team members, I decided to walk every day and this had a really positive impact on my mental wellbeing during each day of the challenge’.
Been inspired?Want to help someone you care for to access this unique opportunity?
Then take a look at the future options for 2022. All can be done solo or as part of a team. But remember you need to have a Disability/LTHC in order to participate. You can have as many sidekicks as you like to help you on your way and, as many aids as you need to get from the start to the finish line. They all have entry fees which cover the cost of your entry/finishers packs. These always include a great medal, t-shirt and, finish line tape or kit bag as momento’s of your participation. These events work for all ages with the fun colourful graphics as well as the standard map views and leaderboards so you can challenge yourself against others or just follow your team!
This event is running from July to August in 2022, so you plenty of time to get yourself well prepared! You can literally do what you want with this one. Take any exercise you like, at home, walking outdoors, going to exercise classes, whatever you wish. Just keep a check of what you do and add up those distances!
For those feeling a little braver then Superheroes Tri at Dorney Lake, Windsor on the 20 August might be the choice for you. There are three different distance options;
Sprint: Swim 150 m, Bike 3k, Push/run 1k
Half: Swim 400 m, Bike 10K, Push/run 2.5k
Full: Swim 750 m, Bike 20k, Push/run 5k
Super Sensory Challenges are Fantastic and run alongside every event that is held so that even the most disabled people can be a part of the fun. It involves a combination of Bursting bubbles, taking sniff and taste tests, recognising sounds and spotting the singer. With each correct answer or bubble burst you get 1 km which can build you up to a great tally over the course of the challenge.
Solo Option!
Of course you don’t need to sign up to an official event to take part and have some fun. There’s enough information here for you to create your own challenges whether on your own, to help motivate participants of an exercise class or sporting session. There are endless amounts of options available to suit everyones needs. A bit of pre-season competition could be supercharged!
Alternatively if you have already or plan to attempt a challenge then turning your efforts into charity fundraising event would be a good option. If triathlon isn’t for you and you are looking for something different then you could try something like The Pituitary Foundation. They have a really varied and supportive series of events, as do many others! Have a browse on The Pituitary Foundation Facebook Events Page which will give you some ideas!
That’s all from us for this year! Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas! We’ll be back in 2022 with some great ways to kick start your new year! Perhaps even some help to get you on track to participation in one of the challenges above.
The all important links!
Superheroes At Home
Superheroes Triathlon
Super Sensory Challenges
The Pituitary Foundation - Events Page
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