For running I use suction—suction sockets are molded around your leg, and the liner and socket fits very tight into each other. As a general rule, a blade which is designed for sprinting is generally longer than those designed for marathons due to the extra force exerted while sprinting. The Winter Wonderwheels event, as part of the Superhero Series, is the UK’s only disability sports event for everyday Superheroes! The label ‘runner’ really is real-identifying so how do you get feel like a runner when in your head, you may be thinking that you’re too slow, too big or too old?

Whether you’re isolating on your own or with family, for some, this period is maybe the most time you have spent with yourself in a while. I hope that more people have the opportunity to have a running blade, as I would completely feel lost without mine. This time last year (mid-May 2017), I had just received my first walkable prosthetic leg, following my amputation in late 2016 and started to walk with two crutches. It isn’t as simple as putting on a pair of running shoes, stepping out the door, and going for a run when you are an amputee.Run straight ahead → perform a crouch-jump → at the last moment before hitting the ground while still in the air crouch again to activate sliding on landing and immediately jump again.

While most people were sleeping in their beds, I was running around in a field on my quest for the ‘Unholy Grail’ - a 12-hour, overnight obstacle challenge with three other obstacle races over two days.You feel a pit in your stomach while butterflies work their magic inside of you, eating away at any confidence left - these are all very common feelings for an individual with runners anxiety. However, I found that the pin socket is great for walking—and it is easy to take on and off at night if I need to go to the bathroom—but I didn’t like it for running. Now although the rules only really matter with high-level competitions, there are strict rules within running blades. This is a super important piece of equipment, and it needs to fit properly otherwise you won’t be able to go very far.