Me vs. Beethoven… And a Bike Older Than My Grandma!

From a broken antique hand cycle to 5 missing spokes, my first marathon in Provo Utah had it all — crashes, laughs, tears, and life lessons. Here’s how I kept pedaling to the finish line. What happens when you try to tackle the Utah Valley Marathon on a bike that belongs in a museum? You get a wild ride of broken parts, missing gels, wobbly downhill terror, and one unforgettable victory. From hospital wheelchair to hand cycle, I share how a chance meeting with Paralympian Curt Brinkman and a giant gulp of gel saved the day. 🚴 Lessons? Find your people, start where you are, expect setbacks, keep pedaling, and redefine success. Whether you’re into racing, motivation, or just great stories, this one’s for you. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and why this story is different 00:50 – Childhood bone disease and the first moment of inspiration 01:56 – The “Beat Beethoven” 5K and finishing in an everyday wheelchair 03:30 – Meeting Kai and discovering the connection to Curt Brinkman 05:55 – The emotional first “knee to knee” meeting with Curt Brinkman 07:50 – Trying out the antique lean-steer hand cycle for the first time 09:55 – Prepping for and starting the Utah Valley Marathon with the hand cycle 13:57 – Mid-race chaos: broken pedal, lost spokes, and support from Victoria 17:25 – Hitting the wall: total exhaustion, loss of gel, and the turning point 21:35 – Lessons learned: inspiration, starting, persistence, and redefining success