Paratriathletes are impressive on a number of levels. It's seemingly obvious that someone who has a "disability" and then chooses triathlon as a challenge would be considered impressive. This past week I had the privilege of coaching at another High Performance camp for the National Paratriathlon team. The team is being groomed for success for such events as PATCO (Panamerican Triathlon Confederation), ITU World Championships and the 2016 Summer Paralympics. One might presume that because of a disability these paratriathletes would at best be average in their performance. That presumption couldn't be further from the truth.  

Here are a few examples from actual triathlon race results of current and former Team USA paratriathletes that can illustrate my point:

• male with congenital arm amputation- 5K run - 15:20 (4:57 min/mile)
• female with below knee amputation- 5K run - 23:48 (7:56 min/mile)
• male with above knee amputation- 750 meter swim (1:20 per 100 meter)
• male blind- 20 km bike- (tandem) - 29:52 (25 mph average)

Certainly these numbers are only part of the story. We, as triathletes, know how tough the training can be at times. Consider for a moment an hour swim in the Pacific Ocean with "blacked-out" goggles. We will tether you to a guide but you won't be able to see anything. Or going for a two hour bike ride on a handcycle, that means only using your arms. Day to day life challenges must be tough enough but add a three-sport lifestyle to the mix takes it to a new level.