Benjamin, Vipamat’s technical assistant, knows the Hippocampe wheelchairs inside out. On a daily basis, he follows the production and manufacturing of the wheelchairs, thinks about and tests possible options.
Passionate about sports, he practices many disciplines including running. For Vipamat users, he has prepared some advice to succeed in his Hippocampe Marathon and Trail challenge: training, preparation of the wheelchair, discover his tips.
Successful wheelchair training
Do a variety of workouts:
As with any run, remember to alternate well between long runs and split sessions.
Check the course profile:
Whether you’re training or racing, you can adapt your options to the ride you’re going to do. Trail wheels for example on a course where you’ll encounter trails or an umbrella on a courseexposed to the sun in the middle of summer 😉.
Alternate training with and without the Hippocampe Marathon and Trail:
A run is a mixture of endurance and performance. Training without the wheelchair will allow the pusher to work on his endurance, while training with a wheelchair will allow the duo to be more efficient in turns or when crossing small obstacles.
Install the push horn kit beforehand:
If the race is long enough, the push horn kit allows the pusher to vary the hand position for comfort. An upstream installation will allow to test this configuration to find the right position on our manual wheelchair.
Learn to run with a one-armed push:
This technique allows the pusher to free up one hand to loosen up an arm a bit or even to get a stitch through the side 😉.
Provide an inner tube:
Going into the race with a fresh inner tube in your pack will save you time in case you get hit. Once you get home, you’ll have plenty of time to fix the first tube quietly.
Training on hills:
For the duo, training on hills allows them to perform better on uneven ground when running. Depending on the person’s disability, the person being pushed may lean forward slightly to facilitate their teammate’s stride 😉.
Lots of rain :
If it’s raining, installing a rain canopy before the race will keep the person being pushed dry! And if the weather is good, you can take with you a leg protection especially if, like us you live in a region where the rain invites itself by surprise!
Spend time with your partner:
A Marathon race with a wheelchair is a shared adventure. The more you know your partner, the more you will understand each other during the race.
Do your preparation check:
Some elements are important to succeed in achieving your challenge in the best conditions:
Brakes: like on a car, you have to change the brake pads of the Hippocampe Marathon and Trail from time to time so that they are at their maximum efficiency.
Tire pressure and wear: if the tires are in good condition and well inflated, you are ready to ride!
Harness or seatbelt attachment: these options are essential for comfort and safety!
In any case, we wish you to enjoy your challenges and objectives, whatever they may be!
