This section concludes the ‘What’s Your Challenge’ series and builds on the previous series based on the Snakes and Ladders theme, enabling you to progress and set goals through ‘actual events’ that are available to fuel your motivation and get you on the right road to participation. Whether that’s in events that can be completed at home or in your local community. We’ll look at some transitional Superhero level events along with some ‘Actual Events’ with the additional objective to raise money for some charities whilst giving you an achievable goal!
So the differences!
Let’s re-cap on the differences between a virtual challenge and event as there are important considerations that apply with this section. A virtual challenge is one usually associated with a fitness goal that means you exercise over a certain distance within a specified period of time. This is an invaluable way to exercise and aid motivation. In comparison a virtual event is one that has a set time, everyone completes their activity and then logs it online for comparison.
Next up and more important for this blog we have what we will term as transitional events which are those where you can engage with a certain activity at home and then move it into an actual live event where you have a beginning and end, but no cut off times or expectations unless of course you want that! For this we will utilise The Superheroes Programme which is the only mass Participation Race For those With Disabilities. When entering their events YOU have to be disabled / have a LTHC and there are no cut offs as well as you being able to have as much assistance as you need from your side kicks. They also have virtual events that link brilliantly, giving you the opportunity to transition from virtual to actual events. We will use those as our focus for actual events alongside ones to look out for once Coronavirus has been knocked into touch.
Next we move into the last section which is the epitome of achievement and success for those looking for more of a challenge. These are actual events that you attend and have a clear beginning and end to them on the same day. Looking at the rules and regulations is very important when you enter an actual event. Events like this are usually associated with fundraising as well and so we have included this.
Perhaps the biggest event on this category is the London Marathon at the epitome of events and raises millions of pounds for charity but they do have cut off times. The roads are shut off for a certain time to allow runners to complete the race but if you fail to finish within the cut off time then you become a ‘pedestrian’. So whilst they welcome applications from disabled people and those with LTHC’s this is something to look out for when searching for your event! The level you choose is completely dependant on how much activity you can manage, what time commitment that you have and the support that you have around you/will need to complete an event.
Top 3 Actual Events that are Disability / LTHC friendly & Have Transitions Attached to them.
1. Superheroes Option 1- Tri-hero Series is powered by Marvel and an event Active Essex promoted and engaged in through a team of Active Essex Disability Ambassadors entering a previous home challenge event ‘The Winter Wonderland’ virtual programmes. It had a massive impact on their confidence, motivation and fitness levels, so again this is another step up. An actual Triathlon will be taking place on the 14th Aug at Dorney Lake, Windsor and has the standard Triathlon Events at different distances. There are three distance option's on offer at this event, but the key to this is that regardless of whether you enter as a team, a sidekick or as a solo you must have any least one disabled person and they are in charge! Prices range from £40-60 so you need to be really committed! You can bring as many ‘sidekicks’ to help push/guide you as your like but there is an additional cost of £5 each. Finisher medals, t-shirts and kit bags are included. This event is extremely accessible and enables anyone with a disability/(LTHC’s will qualify in most circumstances) to be apart of something special and don’t forget the superhero costumes are mandatory! Plus this is the only mass participation disability event available with NO time constraints and no limits on any aids that that you need to get from A-B. Preceding this is the At Home Superheroes 2021 running from the 17 July to 14 August. You pick the location which could be your home/garden/local park or neighbourhood… essentially wherever you want it to be! This is super-flexible and the month long challenge offers you an awesome chance to stay active and achieve your goal from the convenience of your own home or neighbourhood! Plus, it’s a super way to get set for the superb Trip Hero event. The cost for this is between £19-£95.00 depending on your preference to fly solo, have side-kicks and work as a team.
2. Superheroes - Option 2. The second of the ‘At Home’ challenges is Winter Wonder Wheels 2021 which will run from the 5 November to 5 December 2021 to help fuel you with some motivation through the colder months. Again the venue/venues are down to you to decide. Prices for this event cost from £19.00 up to £75 depending on whether you fly solo, have sidekicks to help you or you enter as a team. Plus, it’s the perfect way to limber up for festive extravaganza at Dorney which takes place on the 5 December at The Dorney Lake in Windsor. At this event superheroes are invited to cycle, walk, run, wheel, push, or anything in between around Dorney’s spectacular lake. There are 1KM, 5KM and 10KM challenges, so there’s something for everyone. Entry is £26-£110 and also includes your medal and some goodies at the end! There will be some snow (even if it’s not real), plenty of festive sparkle and a very special appearance from Father Christmas. Fingers crossed this could really kick off a great Christmas to blow away the disappointment of last years CORONA spoilt celebration, even if it does seem a long away ahead. Find out full details here.
3. Park Runs have sadly been hit hard and these events are currently postponed due to COVID but they are something that could be a great goal if you are starting from the lower level and want a long term solution. With Vaccines hopefully leading to the reinstatement of these events in the spring with the weather a little warmer and some basic confidence building with virtual steps at home, then this could be a perfect place to try out your new fitness levels! So to the definition from
ParkRun UK;
‘Parkruns are free, weekly, community events all around the world. Saturday morning events are 5k and take place in parks and open spaces. On Sunday mornings, there are 2k junior parkruns for children aged four to 14. Parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience where there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. (https://www.parkrun.org.uk)
You can keep a check on the COVID-19 Blog here for regular updates. To take part you just need to complete the Registration Form and once running and you are ready then take this along to your first session. The great thing with these are that they are completely free to take part in. You’ll get your own barcode and visit the shop to get that put onto a wrist band or card so you don’t loose it! That way your participation can be tracked throughout so you can see your progress as you participate. They do have winners but it’s all about everyone enjoying themselves and setting their own goals making it a perfect first step! You can also buy T-shirts and other merchandise giving regulars the feel of not only an ‘event’ but also for sense of building to the feeling of being part of a special club or community group.
Top 3 Fundraisers
With Fundraising events you need to select carefully a challenge that you can complete but also be able to factor in the additional time commitment that exists from participating in something linked to a charity. Make sure that it is something you are passionate about, in order to help fuel motivation. Many charities are struggling right now and so the expectations of the level of sponsorship minimums may be lower BUT that won’t necessarily translate to an easier journey for you to take. Be mindful that the reality of this world right now is that yes people want to help and support you, but they may not be in the position to do this financially. Therefore, consider options carefully.
1. Pituitary Foundation Treks and Abseils. The Pituitary Foundations Support Us Page is a great place to start. There are ways to raise money at home so you could use a virtual challenge and connect the two. Head to the fundraising page on Facebook for your actual events. Upcoming events involve The Avon Gorge Abseil in March (Sponsorship £75 & Registration £15), Brecon Beacons 10 mile Waterfall Walk, a Team Ben Nevis Trek (£20 Registration & £200 Sponsorship) and a Team Snowdon Trek (Sponsorship £100 & Registration £15). The Foundation has run many of these events through the Coronavirus pandemic and managed to meet all the stringent criteria relating to this in a safe way and with incredible fundraising events.
2. The Race For Life Series by Cancer Research is a perfect event to take part in with walks/runs over 3KM, 5KM, 10KM (Entry costs £14.99 for adults and £10 for Children which are great for all levels. Pretty Muddy Events are a bit more challenging with blow up obstacles covered in mud! You can choose to skip any that are beyond your reach though! (Entry is £19.99 for adults and £10 for children). After your entry fee the fundraising is down to you with no set limit, which enables you to focus on the event and works well if you have a limited amount of people able to sponsor you.There are also no set finish times so you can take as long as you wish. If you want to see what an event is like then you can also register as a Volunteer. This would be well appreciated and you could see how events run so you can enter one in the future. When you search for an event near you, make sure you click on the accessibility tab to ensure you can get round the course. For example it will state if wheelchairs cannot be accommodated or if the course involves hills. So you can feel safer they have a great guide called How we are Keeping You Safe which will answer any questions you have about COVID-19.
3. Aspire Channel Swim The Aspire Channel Swim is exactly what it says! The normal format for this is to swim the equivalent of the English Channel which is a whopping 22miles in 12 weeks. Clearly to do that in the current climate is pretty impossible and out of reach of many people. It would also be out of reach of many with disabilities and LTHC’s. However, in 2020 the decision was made to go completely virtual. Understanding the difficulty that COVID has caused with pools open and then closed etc they have extended the deadline for completion until the 5 April and they are still accepting entries. They have also allowed walking miles to be included. So, If you are a swimmer you could still sign up and complete the challenge plus you can do it as a team or on your own. In the process you would be raising money to help those who suffer spinal cord injuries that lead to paralysis. Theres a lot of support and great advice on swimming and meeting the challenge.
So there we have it! We have crossed the line of the marathon! From cycling and swimming to virtual challenges, virtual events, transitional participation and fund-raising events! A whistle stop tour that we hope you have enjoyed and can find some sanctuary in away from the depressing scenarios that dominate our news right now. We hope that something that we have uncovered here will bring you some joy, happiness, hope and better health and well being. As ever, stay safe, be happy and enjoy what you have as much as you can despite the adversity that we all face in such uncertain times. Something to channel your focus to that will help you navigate this intrepid pathway which we face and back into normality.
Next week we are heading towards Rare Disease Day and so we will be looking at some incredible Charities who support those with LTHC’s and/or Disabilities considered as ‘Rare’. This essentially means around 70,000 people or less in the UK. Look at it as preparation and readiness for exercise, which can throw up many challenges, so a rounded approach and support network is crucial.