A Chair Pusher's Guide to Running

Team Rocket at the top of Heart Break Hill during the 2006 Boston Marathon. Photo by Bud Morton

"Team Rocket" at the top of Heart Break Hill during the 2006 Boston Marathon
Photo by Bud Morton - http://www.gallery.budmortonphotography.com

Let me preface this article with a few caveats...

  1. I'm not a professional in dealing with the needs of the physically challenged. All advice on this page has been gleaned from personal experience of living and running with my daughter Amanda.
     
  2. Any references or recommendations of manufacturers and/or retailers are strictly from personal experience and are not due to paid endorsements.

Article Headings

Why Are You Here?

So, running and racing solo isn't challenging enough and you feel the need to push someone as well? If so, you have come to the right place. Not only is it tough dealing with a handicap, but as a runner pushing a wheelchair, you are going to be challenged finding any information on how to do this and where the resources are to help you get on the road. Which is probably the reason why you are here on this web page in the first place.

If you have a wheelchair bound child, relative or friend, you probably got the silly idea to take on this challenge from Rick and Dick Hoyt. They are the reason that I'm running with Amanda and the reason that I worked so hard to get both of us qualified to participate in the 2005 Boston Marathon. I did it so we could start the race with my personal heroes. Amanda and I are just rookies following in the Hoyts footsteps.

Rick and Dick have been doing this for at least 25 years and have inspired people with their determination not to let a small thing like a handicap stop them from competing in some of the most challenging sports endeavours around. Not only have the Hoyts have run in 24 Boston Marathons, but they have completed the gruelling 1999 Hawaii Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 mile run). To learn more about the Hoyts and their accomplishments, just follow the link to their web site, www.teamhoyt.com or just "Google" for "Team Hoyt". If you aren't inspired to get out there and push after reading their story, nothing will.

Go Team Hoyt!

You Are A Team Of Runners

Guess what? If you are thinking of either pushing or being pushed in a wheelchair, both of the team members are going to become runners. As in all good teams, it's a team effort.

If you are pushing, you have to remember that you are the muscle. Your job is to help fulfill the dreams and wishes of the person in front of you. I've always considered my job is to get us from the start line to the finish line and to try and step out of the spotlight and let the attention shine on Amanda. I'm running because she wants to go for a run, and if she wants to stay home, I run without her. Fortunately, that doesn't happen too often.

If you are running together for fresh air and exercise, you'll be in for a little extra attention. Some people try and lay the "hero" title on me, but I honestly believe that most other runners with a child in the same circumstances would be doing the same thing that I'm doing (see the index article "Running With Amanda" for more). Like any other runner, just get out there and have some fun.

However, if you are entering a race, because the "team" tends to stand out, you will get a lot of attention. You will also be photographed, you will be interviewed, you will have to deal with people trying to use you to benefit their ends, not yours. Remember why you are doing this, and don't let others deter you from doing what you want to do.

As a pusher, if you are in this gig to get attention, to boost your ego or to do anything but push the buggy, you need to get another gig. It's not about the pusher, but about enabling the person in the chair to participate in the event.

Training The Team: Part I

You don't have to be a runner before starting to push. It helps, but it's not an absolute requirement. You can use this as part of an exercise program and use any "learn to run" program to slowly increase your fitness level and aerobic capacity. Most of the beginner running programs involve some variation on the "10 & 1" program (run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute) to build up your abilities.

No matter where you are, there will probably be a running club or running store that will offer free or paid, coach/trainer led clinics. If you don't have one of these resources available, the Internet is a great way for the beginning runner to find information. There are a lot of online running clubs geared to the beginning runner. Some great places to start looking for a group that suits you are Yahoo Groups, Runners World or Cool Running web sites.

Training The Team: Part II

Obviously, it's tougher to push a chair than it is to run solo, but with the right chair, it's not as hard as you might imagine on the flats. However, hills will be tougher and will require focused training to build up your leg strength and endurance.

Through personal experience, I found that pushing Amanda changed my running form slightly, so that you will have to train specifically for pushing. I found that pushing Amanda used similar muscles as I use while cycling, so this might be a good place to start a training regimen.

You may want to consult with a trainer to include focused weight training in your total fitness program. I can also recommend they should be working on their upper body strength for chair control. I was surprised at the amount of upper body required to keep our chair running in a straight line and pushing a standard chair will be even tougher.

I would suggest that the team starts slowly with shorter distances and increase your time and distance over a four month period, before attempting a 5k road race. This will give the team time to get used to running together with minimal chance for injury.

Training The Team: Part III

Something else to consider is the fitness and comfort of the chair occupant. When possible find ways to include both team members in the running process. Can the seated member help climb hills, can they help with braking, can they help manage the fluids and fueling? Be creative in finding ways of including both members. For us, Amanda pulls me down hills, chooses the music we play during the run and where we eat after our run.

The chair has to be comfortable for the rider. Bumps, potholes and curbs aren't much fun if you have to sit in an uncomfortable seat, in an unsupported position for long periods. If you are doing hour long training runs, you have to make sure that both the pusher and pushee are putting in their training time in the most efficient way possible. In our case that means a custom seating system to give Amanda the hip and back support she needs.

The other thing to consider especially for the occupant is weather. Sun, wind, rain, heat and cold take their toll on both members. In the excitement of our first marathon I forgot to put sun block on Amanda's face. Her face was badly burned by the time we finished. I have never forgotten since then. Prior to race start, I make sure that sun block, Vaseline, lip balm and sunglasses are all applied and in place.

Temperature is the major weather factor to consider. The runner will be kept warm by all that physical exertion, but the chair bound member won't. Amanda's grandma modified a standard sleeping bag to cover her legs and wrap the upper body to keep her warmer on the winter training runs. Even with the bag we have problems keeping Amanda's hands and feet warm and have found that the personal chemical hand warmers work really well in connection with the running bag to keep her toasty.

Running Chair vs. Wheelchair

Having pushed my daughter in her standard chair, I can't recommend it for anything other than short distances over flat, smooth courses. For running, I found a regulation wheelchair to be very unstable. At slow speeds (walking), it's great and comfortable, but a standard wheelchair at running speeds is extremely unstable.

  • The center of gravity is too high, it's very tippy when cornering
  • It is very hard to control, as it will not track in a straight line, making it very hard for the pusher
  • The push handles are too close to the chair to get a proper stride
  • Having the push handles parallel to the direction of travel makes it ergonomically incorrect for the pusher , and difficult to apply force to propel the chair forward.
  • There are no usable brakes, unless the chair occupant can assist. Not having brakes can be extremely dangerous for both the passenger and runners in front of them. For hills and especially in the finish line chute of a race, brakes are required.

In my opinion, a regulation wheel chair is too dangerous to use at running speed for the runner, the occupant and those around them.

The only three options that I have found:

  1. A fold up type jogger
  2. A modified push rim wheelchair racer
  3. A custom-built modified push rim wheelchair racer

Our Running Chair Specifications

Amanda and I used a Special Needs III from Baby Jogger for six years, purchased in 2000 by our running club, the Burlington Runners. Baby Jogger has revamped the chairs over the years since we purchased ours and you can check their web site to see their current models. It isn't cheap, but at about $1600.00 US (last time I checked) it's still the most inexpensive alternative that I have found. I can vouch for the quality of their product. We've logged over 3000 miles in six years of training and racing in our old jogger before Amanda and I finally outgrew it.

After the 2005 Boston Marathon, I decided that we had to get a new chair for Amanda. She has rods in her back to keep her upper body from twisting and she didn't have enough support with the sling seat in the Baby Jogger for the longer training runs and races. It was also starting to get a little tight through the shoulders for her and I really wanted to cut down on the wind profile when racing on windy days (imagine pushing a sail).

In May 2005 I started looking for a replacement. I searched all over North America for a manufacturer. I tried contacting both Quickie and Invacare with no success. However, all the Internet contacts I made and any wheelchair racing clubs I spoke with pointed me to Eagle Sports Chairs as someone that could build a custom chair. After spending a lot of time looking, I don't think there is another manufacturer in North America that is willing to do this type of work.

We retired the Baby Jogger in December 2005 and will be donating it to a local school with a very active special needs class. We are now training and racing in a custom built racer from Eagle Sports Chairs. While it did take us a while to get all the details worked out and the chair built, I have been very happy with the new racing chair. If you want more information on this, let me know and I'll give you the details. We ended up working very closely with Eagle Sports Chairs, Amanda's Occupational Therapist and the local seating clinic to make sure that the new chair could properly support her trunk and make her as comfortable as possible. The custom build race chair cost approximately $2500.00 US ($3000 Canadian) and the custom seat insert was $750.00 Canadian.

I had done quite a bit of research on what we needed through personal experience and study of push rim racers and their design. In the end I found that we required a number of features:

  • The push handles and wheels had to be removable for shipping and transport.
  • The push handles also had to be approximately 18 inches from the back axle (foot clearance) and 42 inches off the ground (my elbow height), for the best pushing ergonomics.
  • The seating cockpit had to conform to very specific dimensions and angles to properly support Amanda and allow for the seating system being built locally to be mounted and allow for ease of removal for transport and storage.
  • A frame attached seatbelt for Amanda's safety.
  • A braking system of some kind. As it turned out, we had to custom design a better brake system.
  • A non-steer-able, locked position, front wheel. The race buggy must track in a straight line with minimal intervention.

Since receiving the Eagle racer, we have had to make a few modifications to the shipped system. A number of these changes were made because of the different way that this racer is used compared to the push rim model that was the base design:

  • Custom build seating insert to support Amanda's hips and back.
  • Foot sling to support Amanda's feet and cushion her ankles from banging against the chair frame.
  • The front tire brake was removed and replaced with a drag bar brake that rubs against the tire. The calliper brake on the front didn't have enough weight on it to work, the tire just locked up and skidded along with no stopping power.
  • Mountain bike bar ends and road bike handlebar tape were added on the push handles for added control and comfort.
  • We moved the wireless speedometer from the front tire and frame, to the back tire and the push handle. The original location was designed for a push rim athlete. This allowed me to see the read out for distance and speed.
  • A bike bell was added, to alert runners and other people that we share the road/trails with.
  • Water bottle holders were added to the push bar uprights, to hold two water bottles.
  • A fanny pack type bag slung between the seat uprights to hold keys, gels, energy bars, tools and repair kit.

The two pushers (Team Hoyt and Team Hagkull) I have had the pleasure of talking with use bicycle type aero bars to push against, but I do not. I found that not swinging my arms to be too restrictive. I generally run the flats with one hand on the buggy push bar and the other swinging normally, switching up hands every five strides or so. This "style" wasn't planned, it's just the way I run with the racer. You will have to figure out through trial and error out what works best for you.

Follow the link below to see detailed pictures of Amanda's racer, brake system, custom seating insert and foot support.

Detailed Pictures Of Amanda's Racer

Pushing Etiquette

Pushing and running solo are two different beasts. When you are running solo, you can easily deke around dogs, walkers, runners, cars and other obstacles. You also provide a very small obstacle to those around you. When you are pushing a running chair, you make a bigger target and you have more things to consider.

Stopping - You will have to stop the mass of the runner, chair and occupant. You just can't stop or turn on a dime. That means you have to plan your stops and anticipate what other people are doing around you.

Turning & Manoeuvring - Just as with stopping, you can't turn as quickly with a chair as you can by yourself. Be aware and make allowances for distances and obstacles around you.

Passing - When passing runners and pedestrians, let them know you are there and on which side you are passing. Give other trail and road users enough time to process and react. Surprising people is not a good thing. This is where the bell or horn comes in. I have found that the following routine works for me.

  1. Ring the bell to announce your presence.
  2. Say where you are going. For example, "Passing on your left."
  3. Slow down if you have to. Give right of way to everyone else.
  4. Smile, wave and say thank-you as you pass.

Rules Of The Road - Follow the rules of the road. Pass to the left when possible, run on the sidewalk when you can, stay in bike lanes when you can't, and run facing traffic. Use common sense and keep yourself and the chair occupant safe.

Be Seen, Be Heard - Make you and the buggy as visible as possible. Generous use of lights, flashers and reflectors are needed to let people see you. A bell or horn is absolutely essential to let people know you are approaching.

Note to self: Never give Amanda the button for an air horn. She won't stop pressing it. It also scares the crap out of runners in front of you and causes them to jump into your lane, defeating the whole purpose of the horn.

Safety First - Assume that other pedestrians, runners, cyclists and motorists are out to get you. They might not be, but in this case a little paranoia goes a long way. The rule is to anticipate and give way.

Racing With Runners

Running solo is one thing, running with a chair is another, but it's a completely different thing if you enter a road race with other runners. Not only do you have the usual problems and challenges that solo runners have, but you have additional challenges.

In a race there will be runners all around you and a lot of them will be supportive but there will be a few that think you don't belong in "their" race. We've had runners cut into my lane, stop and then blame me for running into them. I've had runners refuse to make way for us to get to the start line or purposely block us when we try to pass them. We've had race marshals try and pull us off the course. If you can imagine it, you can bet we've experienced it!

How do you deal with these issues? Well I think that most bad race experiences fall into a few categories and that there are steps you can take to minimize the impact and problems with other runners.

Courtesy First

Remember that the team is different than all the other participants and you should minimize your impact on the race in general and other runners you are sharing the road with in particular. There are jerks out there that will go out of their way to make your life difficult but most runners will be supportive and helpful if you don't do anything stupid.

Registering For The Race

Communicate with the race director and ask for permission to participate. Most races forbid the use of baby joggers and MP3/Walkman's with headphones for safety and insurance reasons. If you just show up on race day you may be denied a race bib or pulled off the course during the race. So far we have been turned down by the Corning Wineglass and Chicago marathons, for safety reasons, but most race directors will be supportive if you state your intentions up front. Be prepared to pay the price of publicity for participation.

We've been very lucky. We have always been a welcomed part of our local running community. VRPro events based in Burlington, Ontario have been very supportive over the years and let us participate in all their races as sponsored runners.

Starting The Race

If there is a wheelchair division, try and start at the back, with them. If not, try and work your way as close to the starting line as possible. I know that you are supposed to find your place in the pack (faster to the front, slower to the back) but it's safer for the runners and the team if the bulk of the people go around you, instead of the team trying to work through slower runners.

During the first kilometre or so, try and stay to the outside of the course route, avoid the center or curb lanes. This gives you options should you get cut off or run into slower runners. If you are on the inside, and something happens, you will have no place to go and someone is going to get hurt or upset.

In the past, I have had fellow runners run in front as blockers to keep people from jumping into the space we clear. I always warn people that get we might clip their heals or ankles if they get too close. Most people are pretty good about it.

If on the other hand you aren't there to race, feel free to start at the back of the pack and have fun with the crowd. Just be aware that you'll be running with and passing a lot of other runners, so you have to be extra careful. We have a number of races where we do this and have a lot of fun. Sometimes it's not about finishing fast, sometimes you just want to make the experience last.

Running The Race

Always signal your intentions to the runners around you. You are most likely to run into issues on corners. Be aware of runners and never cut corners sharply. Set your line and follow it around the corner in a predictable fashion. That sometimes means that you have to take corners wide to avoid other runners.

Use your bell or horn and communicate with the other racers. Smile, thank the runners that give way and never respond to anger. The team stands out in the crowd and if you cause an incident, chances are it will be reported to the race director and you will not be welcomed back.

Water Stations

Water stations are a concern, for traffic reasons. Be aware that in shorter races you probably won't be able to use them. Five to seven feet of buggy and runner will effectively cut all other runners off from the water station if you use them. This is another case of thinking of the other runners first, don't use them if you don't have to. My recommendation is to have a support crew hand you water between water stations or have water bottles in a water bottle belt or mounted on the chair.

Finish Line

Heavy traffic is always your enemy. Throw in tired runners, crowds, sudden stops and you have a recipe for trouble. You have to anticipate the reactions of other runners and react accordingly. There will be people that want to out sprint you to the finish line (who wants to be beat out by a guy pushing a jogger?) and there will be people that cross the finish mat and collapse in front of you. You will have to use judgment and be prepared to slow down before the finish to control your speed and be able to come to a complete stop quickly. Also be prepared for people behind you not expecting you to stop.

My usual plan is to try and hug one of the sides of the finish chute, not to sprint down the center, ringing a bell all the way. This gives people an opportunity to finish beside you and not try and cut you off.

Other Advice And Info

I have a page setup to answer questions about Amanda and myself that you can check for pictures and other information:

Team Rocket: Running With Amanda

My personal experiences with my first run with Amanda in her chair and how we got the Baby Jogger race buggy are documented here:

On The Run Article: Sometimes Christmas Comes Early

Resources On The Web

Other pushers on the web

Off the shelf manufacturers:

Custom build manufacturers:

People that help us get on the road:

  • Burlington Runners Club: www.burlingtonrunners.com
    The Burlington Runners are the running club that Amanda and I belong. The club is in Burlington Ontario, Canada.
     
  • Foot Tools: www.foottools.ca
    John Lawson and Paula Desjardan have a small running stuff store in Burlington, Ontario that we run out of on Wednesday nights. They keep us in clothing, rubber and cookies. The are supportive of everyone, of every ability.
     
  • Tetra Society: www.tetrasociety.org
    The dudes and dudettes in the Burlington chapter helped us by designing, manufacturing and installing a completely custom brake system for Amanda's new racer. The Tetra Society has branches all over North America and helps the handicapped by building neat stuff to make day to day activities a little easier.
     
  • VRPro Races: www.vrpro.ca/hm/
    Kelly & Mark Arnott not only have supported us at their races, but Kelly won't let me pay for races I enter with Amanda. I guess you could call us VRPro sponsored runners.

Revised: January 19, 2007.

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During warmer weather we run with:

the Foot Tools Run Club on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM at Foot Tools in Burlington, Ontario

- or -

with the Burlington Runners Club on Saturday mornings at 8:30 AM from the Aldershot High School pool parking lot in Burlington, Ontario

You can drop me a line to make sure we are going to be there: Team Rocket