Hello my name is Hans H.
From the moment I could walk, I did all kind of sport activeties ( football, windsurfing, tennis, Running, cycling, skiing, snowboard, etc.).
I started with the age of 4 playing football and reached a 5th division level from the top in the German competition.
In 2010 June I had a minor motorcycle accident with slow speed but with major impact. I ended up with a Spinal cord injury in T 5 (Dorsal 4 ) complete and thought my sport days were over because of the lost of use of all abdominals and legs.
When I was in the hospital… my son showed me a picture of a handbike and told me that we still could ride together.
In 2011 January, I did the first tryout of my bike only after leaving the hospital for 1 month. This turned out to be very heavy and I only could do 500 meter giving all I had.
From that moment I found my new sport…. starting to participate in handbike races. My first goal was to participate in the 10km of Castellón at which I runned the year before. Luckily the organizing company, 42ypico, made it possible to join the race for handbikes.
After working a lot on my fitness and strength in my arms, I can go now easily 25 till 30 Km a day, which for other handbikers isn´t much but…. I am just a beginner…..
In Spain the popular running races can be found in many villages and, where ever possible, I try to join as well as in special races only for handbikes. I enjoy this kind of sport like I used to do in the days before my accident.
With the support of companies like Xieta International, it is possible to go to races outside Castellón or outside Spain. My plan for this year is to participate in a race in Germany.
I am therefore now training to get an acceptable time over 42km.
Hans H
