Deanna Babcock - Thoughts and Prayers (Page 21)

Congratulations on the progress - keep it up!!!

the leg sounds pretty neat... cool that they just give it to you as sponsorship/publicity...

Awesome news!

So cool that Ossum is donating a running leg with all technology for you to be able to do what you love.

IMFL 2009 that would be cool...

Enjoy your runs... 

So Cool!  Miracles/technology keep coming your way and you have the right attitude/humor to handle anything! 

Thanks for the updates!

So great to hear your progress and how you tackle each challenge head on. What an inspiration you are! 

So, here's a little update.

293 days ago, I didn't die.
288 days ago, my left leg was amputated above the knee.
238 days ago, I left the hospital.
193 days ago, I could walk unaided without tipping over...well, usually.
62 days ago, I got a running leg.
13 days ago, I ran 800 m without stopping.
3 days ago, I graduated (MS, soil science, NCSU).

Today I ran a mile without stopping. It took me 11:36 (and it was a proper mile...not the 'merican mile that we say is 1600 m). This is approximately 6 minutes slower than my best mile ever, but it was certainly my happiest mile ever.

I ditched the heart rate monitor for my mile attempt because I get nervous when I see how high my heart rate goes. Most people, if their heart rate gets too high, have to slow down and walk for a second. On the other hand, if my heart rate gets too high (200 bpm to be exact), I will promptly and involuntarily be placed in a position (on the ground, sprawled out) such that my heart rate quickly slows down - this would be courtesy of the AICD that will hopefully keep me from dying if my heart decides to randomly stop again.

Other highlights:

- I've returned to biking on the road. On my welcome back ride, on a quiet friday afternoon, I got the standard honk from an angry soccer mom while standing at a stoplight. For some reason, I was not in a mood to be tampered with, so I flipped her off. While I was angry on the outside, my heart was smiling on the inside because it was just like the old days, me pedaling happily along and getting honked at by impatient motorists. A good time was had by all.

- I'm good at swimming. Guys don't like to get beat by girls...ever. Guys REALLY don't like to get beat by girls with one leg. I love swimming.

- My first race is in a couple of weeks. Kerr Lake aquathon (swim 1500m bike 40k).

Sorry, still no good pictures of me running. I'm so fast they would all turn out blurry...or not.

D

Wow...great week for you...graduate, running your first mile in awhile, kicking butt in the pool, and riding like you have been.

Sweet week~

Deanna, that totally rocks!  Congrats all around!

And it's just plain amazing that you'll be doing your first race soon -- less than a year after your accident.  That takes serious determination and courage.  Please let us know how it goes!

That is a FANTASTIC update!!  Thanks for telling us.  Why, yes, I do hate getting beat, by a girl, even if she did have one leg.  That means that I still have a LOOOOOOOOONG ways to go to have the heart and desire that you show!

As a newbie here at BT, what an unbelievable story and such a happy ending.  I have been captivated for the last hour reading all 21 pages.  The "family" of being a triathlete is something i look forward to being a part of after my first on August 2nd.

Keep up the great work D.  Can't wait to see the pics from IMFL someday soon.

Congrats on Getting your Master's!

Thanks for the update, looking forward about hearing how much fun you have on your first race.

Probably a good idea you don't look at your heart monitor, may stressfully elevate your heart rate. I will pray that it never has need to fire for you.

Do I hear a big BT blowout in FL next year?  I'd definitely travel to see you race Deanna!

This made me laugh!  Its so true for most guys!  But really really funny!