11. Grace Norman on Owning Your Story: Paralympic Medalist, World Record Holder, & NCAA D2 Runner

Triple Knot

At age 18, Grace Norman made history winning gold at the first ever installment of the 2016 Paralympic Triathlon event. Twenty four hours later she was tearing up the track, winning bronze in the 400m (the longest track race offered for amputees). Meanwhile back home, she was already 3 weeks past the start of her first-year year of college. In this episode we talk racing experiences, overcoming injury, the biomechanical and controversial aspects of being an amputee athlete, what it means to be a Paralympian, and the current challenges Grace is facing due to COIVD-19. Hear from Grace on how she's worked with what she has and learned to not take anything for granted while balancing life as an elite triathlete, NCAA runner, and oh did I mention she is also a nursing major.

Some compelling info on amputee runners:

• TEDxBoulder - Alena Grabowski - Put Yourself in Someone Else's Legs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiLLZKp0ReA
• Blade Runners: https://www.colorado.edu/coloradan/2018/06/01/blade-runners
• For 'Blade Runners' Taller Doesn't Necessarily Mean Faster: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200220182745.htm
• Curve-running in Uni-lateral Amputees: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/tcob-asw031016.php

Grace's Team USA bio:

• https://www.teamusa.org/usa-triathlon/athletes/Grace-Norman