Day 3 for Dedan started out with an early morning 6.30am bike ride with Chris, along the Pacific Coast towards Oceanside and then inland on a designated bike path which we use for time trial training.
Chris and Dedan were riding at an easy pace of 20 miles per hour and they were still passing lots of two legged cyclists. Chris refrained from making any 'cute ala smart' comments to the slower cyclists as to who was passing them but I'm sure they noted that Dedan only had one leg.
Dedan came to the studio after breakfast and Chris put him through an initial work out to see what we needed to do in terms of strength training.
Chris found that what he has of a right leg needs to be strengthened as it has not had any force placed through it since he lost his leg 16 years ago. The end of his stump needs to be de-sensitised and the whole right hip complex has to be strengthened so he can fully utilise the new limb. Chris had him in a sweat but you could see that Dedan's attitude was definitely "Bring it on!"
After lunch Chris took Dedan for his first fitting with Kel Bergman at SCOPE. It was really interesting to watch how they custom fit the stump and make the plaster cast mould. Chris videoed the whole appointment and so once we finalise the footage I'll post some to a future blog or put it on youtube. They also gave Dedan a taste of what is to come. You'll see the photo of him standing in a prototype of a prosthetic leg and what he will end up with ....that apparently was a very special moment.
When I got home last night he was on the couch fast asleep and I felt terrible having to wake him for dinner but an athlete has to eat regardless of how jetlagged they are. He also got his first voicemail from an old friend who lives in Chicago - thanks for calling Robert and we sent emails to his support network in Kenya.
Today he has an indoor bike session with Chris and then a well deserved massage at 5.30pm. I know it sounds as if we have him in a training camp and that it is currently all work and no pleasure but don't worry we will have some play time and make sure he gets to see a lot of Southern California.
Thanks to Joash and Mark Aswani and Ingrid Monroe from Nairobi for your emails this morning.Joash to answer your question. The bike Dedan is riding for now is one of my bikes a Principia frame with Shimano Durace..it's a sweet bike. His new one? We don't know yet as he has the fitting Thursday morning...we'll have to wait and see.
Great to hear from you all.Thanks for your support.
Cheers
Janet
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