Amazing Race ... of my cousin

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Wasatch Back continues to improve

Terry hopes to be an inspiration as race's only hand cyclist

By Amy Donaldson Deseret News

Published: Sunday, June 20, 2010 1:12 a.m. MDT          

When a car accident robbed Katie Terry of her ability to walk, she immediately started looking for ways to continue to maintain the active lifestyle she'd always enjoyed.

It took a few years, but eventually she discovered both her ability and her affection for hand cycling.

"Two years ago, I was the first hand-cycling participant in the St. George marathon," said the 33-year-old mother of two, who is now a member of the Utah Hand Cycle team. "It kind of lit a fire."

But even she admits participating in a race that tests her individual endurance and ability is totally different than participating in an event like the Ragnar Relay's Wasatch Back.

Which is where good friends come in. The relay is unique in that it brings the team concept to the sport of running, which is considered a solitary endeavor by most die-hards. And while runners have to navigate three different legs of the 188-mile course on their own, they don't do it without the support, encouragement and guidance of their 11 teammates.

Terry was a member of Jogger Nauts and was assigned to be runner No. 2, in part by race officials who had to make sure she didn't draw one of the legs that traversed mountain passes or trails.

She said her friends didn't hesitate to make accommodations for her hand cycle in the 24-hour race that packs six runners into two vans where they eat, sleep, sweat and laugh together while testing their physical limits.

"They're runners," she said. "My friends saw this as, 'You can totally do this.' "

She said she'd heard good things about the race and wanted to share in the unique experience. She also hopes others see her participation and find their own way to live an active lifestyle — without excuses.

She said after her accident, she witnessed the adjustment, including the doubt, that patients like herself had about their futures.

"No matter what the injury is, almost all of them feel like their life, like their active life is over," she said. "I've learned from other people and their experiences. It's good to pave the way for others, to show them what's possible. Life is not over. It's different. There are going to be new challenges."

The support of good friends and a great family, including her 9-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter (with whom she was pregnant when she was paralyzed from the waist down), make her want to push herself even more.

"It's just to be an example to my kids," she said. "I just want to be an example of hard work and dedication for my kids."

Terry was the only hand cyclist who participated this year, but she hopes to offer some suggestions to organizers about how to include others — including more handicapped accessible Port-a-Potties.

"I've done a number of marathons, and I've never been as sore and as exhausted as this," she said. "I think it was the stopping and starting, cramped in the car and not getting any sleep. But it was great. I had a lot of fun doing it. It was fun to see the reactions of people and fun to be the only hand cycle."

Not only that, she said, it lets others know it's an option.

"It is empowering to know with any trial, with any disability that you can do it," she said. "That if you don't, it's because you choose not to do it. Personally, it's empowering."

This year, the number of participants jumped from about 650 to 1,050, and despite a few glitches, the country's largest relay was a success with organizers and runners.

"There are always improvement, but we're really happy with things," said co-founder Dan Hill. "It's like this year was the dream come true. Every other year was building to something. So much more we can do. It doesn't mean we're done. But this is the dream."

Nordic Track is the presenting sponsor of the race, and its corporate team turned in the fastest time on the 188-mile course that starts in Logan and ends in Park City. The Nordic Track Elite men's team finished the race in 18 hours and 26 minutes.

The country's largest relay was not without its glitches.

Many race participants complained about the parking congestion and difficulty in getting to the top of the Canyons Resort where the finish area was set up amid a carnival-like atmosphere that included free concerts and plenty of vendors.

"I think the finish was an improvement over last year, but we definitely have some things to work out," Hill said. For one, racers had to compete with the public for parking spots, and some missed the finish of their final runner.