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Charlie LewisBritish amputee runner
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- A Life Devoted to Sports
- The Turning Point
- Discovering a New Purpose
- The Long Road to Recovery
- Embracing Change
- Reclaiming His Passion
- Aiming for the World Record
- The Unwavering Determination
Charlie Lewis: Overcoming Adversity to Become a World Record-Holding Athlete
Charlie Lewis, a British runner with an amputated leg, has defied the odds and set his sights on breaking a world record. It took him 12 years, 15 surgeries, and a specialized prosthetic leg to get back into running after a snowboarding accident left him legless and spiraling into alcoholism. Now, at the age of 32, Lewis is determined to become the fastest marathon runner with physical limitations.
A Life Devoted to Sports
Charlie Lewis, a fitness fanatic, had to give up his love for running after the unfortunate snowboarding incident. At the age of 19, his potential rugby career was shattered when he severely injured his lower extremity in the French Alps. Over the next 12 years, Lewis underwent 15 surgeries in a desperate attempt to save his right leg. He lost over £100,000 and almost lost his sanity, turning to alcohol to numb the excruciating pain.
The Turning Point
After undergoing amputation and receiving a sport-specific prosthetic leg with energy-saving and aerodynamic qualities, Lewis, now a resident of London, is resolutely focused on breaking the world record and becoming the fastest marathon runner with physical limitations. He quit his corporate job, feeling like a caged animal, and embarked on a journey around the world.
Discovering a New Purpose
Running had always been Lewis' passion, representing freedom and the essence of being human. Losing the ability to run was devastating for him. However, after his twelfth surgery, he realized that losing his leg would actually offer him more opportunities than keeping it. In February 2004, while snowboarding in Val d'Isère, Lewis crashed into a pile of debris, sending him flying 50 meters down the mountain. That moment changed his life forever.
The Long Road to Recovery
After several weeks in the hospital, followed by four reconstructive surgeries, Lewis returned home to London. Unfortunately, by 2012, his leg, held together by screws, began to fail, causing him excruciating pain. Determined to stay active, Lewis even participated in the prestigious Tour de France, but fell off his bike on the summit of Mont Ventoux. His health continued to deteriorate, and he spent two years mostly confined to hospitals and relying on crutches.
Embracing Change
The idea of amputation crossed Lewis' mind many times, but doctors consistently discouraged him. However, in 2014, he paid £10,000 for the amputation, believing that it was necessary to achieve his goal of running again. On his 29th birthday, January 8th, 2014, Lewis roamed the halls of Charing Cross Hospital without his right leg. The first year after the amputation was particularly challenging, with Lewis undergoing a small reconstructive surgery six months later. But he persevered.
Reclaiming His Passion
After receiving his first training prosthetic to improve his balance and coordination, Lewis embarked on a journey through southern France on his bike. Soon after, he obtained a specialized running prosthetic, shaped like a blade. With this new limb, Lewis completed his first triathlon, a 5km run, in 25 minutes. This marked his triumphant return to running after 12 long years. He wondered how far he could increase his distance and how much faster he could run.
Aiming for the World Record
Last year, Lewis achieved an unexpected personal best time of 38:04 in a 10km race. Currently, he is determined to break the world record among marathon runners with physical limitations. He will participate in the 2018 London Marathon, where he will need to finish in 2 hours, 56 minutes, and 53 seconds to beat the record set by Eitan Hermon, an Israeli runner who lost his leg in the 2006 war in Lebanon.
The Unwavering Determination
Charlie Lewis admits that he still needs a corrective surgery, and his financial situation is challenging due to the immense medical expenses. However, he cherishes his newfound freedom to travel and run. He refuses to let pain or a lack of motivation stop him, reminding himself of how far he has come and how much lies ahead.
