Wasatch Back continues to improve

When a car accident robbed Katie Terry of her ability to walk, she immediately started looking for ways to continue to maintain the active lifestyle she'd always enjoyed.

It took a few years, but eventually she discovered both her ability and her affection for hand cycling.

"Two years ago, I was the first hand-cycling participant in the St. George marathon," said the 33-year-old mother of two, who is now a member of the Utah Hand Cycle team. "It kind of lit a fire."

But even she admits participating in a race that tests her individual endurance and ability is totally different than participating in an event like the Ragnar Relay's Wasatch Back.

Which is where good friends come in. The relay is unique in that it brings the team concept to the sport of running, which is considered a solitary endeavor by most die-hards. And while runners have to navigate three different legs of the 188-mile course on their own, they don't do it without the support, encouragement and guidance of their 11 teammates.

Terry was a member of Jogger Nauts and was assigned to be runner No. 2, in part by race officials who had to make sure she didn't draw one of the legs that traversed mountain passes or trails.

She said her friends didn't hesitate to make accommodations for her hand cycle in the 24-hour race that packs six runners into two vans where they eat, sleep, sweat and laugh together while testing their physical limits.

"They're runners," she said. "My friends saw this as, 'You can totally do this.' "

She said she'd heard good things about the race and wanted to share in the unique experience. She also hopes others see her participation and find their own way to live an active lifestyle — without excuses.

She said after her accident, she witnessed the adjustment, including the doubt, that patients like herself had about their futures.

"No matter what the injury is, almost all of them feel like their life, like their active life is over," she said. "I've learned from other people and their experiences. It's good to pave the way for others, to show them what's possible. Life is not over. It's different. There are going to be new challenges."

The support of good friends and a great family, including her 9-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter (with whom she was pregnant when she was paralyzed from the waist down), make her want to push herself even more.