Up and Running at PACE Day
On a very wet and windy Sunday in Leicestershire, a group of amputees were certainly appreciating the indoor running facilities, at Loughborough University’s HiPAC centre, for the inaugural Running Day held by Pace Rehabilitation.
Under the expert guidance of Hayley Ginn, UK Athletics Paralympic Coach, and Carolyn Hirons, Pace physiotherapist, the amputees were provided with an educational and practical day of teaching to run on their prosthesis.
The majority of participants took their first running steps as an amputee, as Carolyn explains, “All of the patients today have a prosthesis which they can at least attempt to run on. You don’t have to be an elite athlete and have a ‘blade’ like Oscar Pistorius to start running. You just need the will to have a go”.
The group consisted of above and below knee amputees, ranging from ten to seventy-two years of age, proving that age is no barrier!
The day started with corrective postural exercises, core stability and glute activation, under Hayley and Carolyn’s guidance. Hayley informed the group, “Understanding which muscles do what, and how to use them efficiently, provides the foundation to run efficiently, which is of particular importance to an amputee”.
The group then performed various ‘drills’ demonstrated by Paralympic sprinter Jonas Zimnicki, who Hayley coaches. Initially everyone began at walking pace and then gradually increased to a light jog, before a well-earned rest and drinks break.
As the participant’s recuperated, hand-outs addressing residual limb care and sweat management were provided and discussed. Thanks to the generous support from the prosthetic companies Endolite, Ossur and Otto Bock, participants were provided with a complimentary Pace kit bag each, containing samples skincare creams and lotions, and an all-important towel and water bottle!
The session concluded with practical tips and personal experiences regarding increased activity levels as an amputee.
Following a lunch break, the group were keen to begin the afternoon session, with everyone gradually increasing their speed and confidence as their technique improved.
Prosthetists Toby Carlsson and Howard Woolley were on hand throughout the day, with their spanners and allen keys, to cast expert eyes over the variety of prostheses and to carry out minor adjustments and tweaks. As Toby explains, “A prosthesis can begin to behave differently as the user places greater demands upon it, particularly when running. Therefore, some subtle adjustments are often required, which we were happy to carry out trackside”.
The packed programme concluded with the all-important cool down exercises and a recap of the day.
Above the knee amputee Debbie found the whole experience worthwhile. She said, “I cannot tell you how much the running day has benefited me. I feel so much happier now and will hopefully get back to the runner that I used to be”.
Similarly, Pete (below the knee amputee) summarised the event by saying, “Prior to today, I’d not been able to run, but thanks to Hayley and the PACE team I was racing ten year old James in the afternoon! Well, at least trying to!” He continued, “It was a great day and I'd love an opportunity to have another day along the same lines in the future”.
Pace hopes to repeat this very worthwhile day, in a year when the Olympics and Paralympics will be an inspiration to everyone.
Pace Rehabilitation would like to sincerely thank Hayley for generously donating her time and making an otherwise miserable Sunday extremely worthwhile for a group of new amputee runners.
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