SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (AP) Beth Sanden crashed her bike after hitting a wet, broken patch of asphalt during a race 15 years ago. The elite Southern California Ironman athlete was paralyzed.
She thought her days of competing were over, along with her career as a personal trainer and triathlon coach – but they were just beginning.
After regaining partial movement in her legs, Sanden resumed competing and now spends much of her time helping other athletes who have suffered severe injuries get back on track, in the pool and on their bikes.
Sanden, now 62, is one of only a handful of disabled USA Triathlon-certified coaches.