On the road with DeVann Murphy

DeVann Murphy

GoHawkeye Equipment Grant Recipient

(Courtesy photos.)

Hi GoHawkeye!

The new handcycle was delivered in September and it is absolutely AMAZING!

I’ve attached a few photos of our adventures. I have taken 27 minutes off my marathon finish time so far! I did three virtual marathons last fall; one on the old handcycle and two on the new. Admittedly, they were virtual marathons, so I was able to choose my own course. We mapped out a course that almost mirrored the Boston Marathon course in terms of elevation gain and loss.

My finish time on the old handcycle was 1:52 (Virtual Boston Marathon). My times on the new handcycle were 1:33 (Virtual Marine Corps Marathon) and 1:25 (Virtual NYC Marathon). I used the same course for all three events. I’m sooo excited to see what this year brings!

I’ve trained on an indoor trainer all winter using Zwift and Trainer Road, as well as a startup art bike to help keep the muscle development I have left in my leg and lift weights several times a week. I also completed a Virtual Talent Development Camp with the US Paralympic Committee in December.

Off the bike, I was able to do a little adaptive Nordic skiing. I absolutely love it, but I have a moderate cold intolerance from my chemo days and Raynauds, so I try to keep the time spent in the cold limited.

My husband is fully vaccinated (he’s a police officer; healthcare workers and first responders were among the first vaccinated here in NYS). I’ve had my first dose and will receive my second on the 25th of this month.

We’re traveling to NYC for a biking trip next month (more than two weeks after my second shot). We hope to ride the Kissena Velodrome, along the Hudson, and in Central Park. We’re usually only in NYC for the marathon, so I’ve never had the opportunity to enjoy the sights while riding.