We first introduced paralympic athlete and paratriathlete Aaron Scheidies on our blog last Spring. Aaron has been a physical therapist with Infinity Rehab at the Shoreline Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shoreline, Washington for nearly three years.
He began competing in endurance sports in high school after he was diagnosed with juvenile macular degeneration. Fast forward to today, where Aaron most recently competed in the Tokyo Paratriathlon World Cup and the World Championship in Switzerland.
Tokyo paratriathlon proves challenging
In Tokyo, Aaron earned the silver medal in the PTVI men’s division. The Tokyo Test Event was an opportunity for Aaron to “scope out the course” that will be part of the 2020 Paralympic Games. Although the Tokyo event was not a qualifier for the upcoming games, it was a chance to size up the competition.
The path to Tokyo was not easy for Aaron. Having had hip surgery in March of 2019, the road to recovery proved to be long. He was facing several months of rehabilitation, enduring up to eight hours of rehab some days. Although Aaron noted that the rehab process was grueling, particularly balancing it with work and family life, he continued to push through.
“I am probably one of very few that perform the juggling act of working full-time, having a family of two little ones under two years old, rehabbing from hip surgery, and training to win in Tokyo,” noted Aaron. “It is not an easy path, but it’s what I need to do. I am happy with how this year went.”
Competing at the world championship in Switzerland
After Tokyo, Aaron competed in the Paratriathlon World Championship in Lausanne, Switzerland. He was part of an elite group of only seven US paratriathletes that earned a medal. Aaron was awarded a bronze medal. It marked his 11th appearance on the podium at the annual event.
Finding balance and time to train as a paratriathlete
One may wonder how Aaron achieves such amazing feats, balancing his full-time job as a physical therapist with Infinity Rehab, a full family life with two children, training, and competing.
“It is truly a juggling act, and I am happy that I have a supportive family,” Aaron shared.
On the horizon are the Pan American Triathlon Championships (PATCO) in March 2020, followed by World Triathlon Series races in Yokohama, Japan and Milan, Italy. These competitions are crucially important to securing a spot on the US paratriathlon team for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic games in August.
For now, Aaron is looking forward to family time over the holidays before the intensive training he will begin for these events in January.
