March 8, 2005

I was selected as a member for the USA Triathlon Paralympics Team.   I have begun training for the Olympics that will be held on October in Oahu, HI.  I hired a Triathlon coach, Paul Martin of Amplitude Multisport to assist me in my training.

June 19, 2005 
Maumee Bay Triathlon

July 10, 2005
New York City Triathlon

August 13, 2005
USA Triathlon National Championship, Kansas City, Missouri
 

October 8, 2005
International Triathlon Union World Championship, Honolulu, HI

[Article in Toledo Blade, November 1, 2005]

Congratulations to Dave McGranahan for Winning a Gold Medal at the 2005 ITU Triathlon World Championships

Dave McGranahan won a Gold Metal at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Triathlon World Championships held on October 3-9th, 2005 in Honolulu, HI where he finished first in his classification, Male Transfemoral Amputee.  An Olympic distance triathlon is a 1500 Meter Swim, a 40K Bike and a 10K Run.  These distances are about 1 mile swimming, 25 miles biking and 6 miles running with an above knee prosthesis.  

At the National AOPA Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas, Vern Swanson, CP, LP, Clinical Director of Swanson Orthotic & Prosthetic Research Center gave a presentation entitled “Solutions For Active Transfemoral Patients” (this presentation and video files can be found at www.swansonopcenter.com/links.htm).  During his presentation, Mr. Swanson presented a case study of David McGranahan, a transfemoral amputee who has been competing in triathlons for several years using a custom designed running prosthesis containing a Shock Absorbing Cushioned Socket™, the high performance Bionix HP Knee™ and the Energy Storing Quad Control Band™.  A special ultra lightweight biking prosthesis was also presented utilizing a thermoplastic socket and a free pedaling knee joint that would be compatible with his racing bike.  Both prostheses were designed by Vern Swanson for Mr. McGranahan to compete in the Triathlon events. 

In 2002, Mr. McGranahan’s first generation shock absorbing socket was created which allowed him to run in a 5K race.  The shock-absorbing socket was designed for him to tolerate the extreme socket forces and friction that occur while running with a transfemoral prosthesis.  In 2003, this socket design was enhanced with the addition of a two-valve system and drain tube to remove perspiration from the socket and the energy storing extension band accelerator called the Quad Control Band developed by Vern Swanson.  These changes improved his running time by almost 3 minutes per mile.  In 2004, additional changes to the running prosthesis included adding a specially designed Shock Absorbing Cushioned Socket which has multiple density proximal cushions and dual flexible sockets to increase his running toleration to a 10K or 6 mile distance.

Mr. McGranahan’s biking prosthesis was designed and fabricated in 2002.  The initial biking prosthesis was held on by full suction suspension.  This socket design was prone to lose suction and get loose during a race due to perspiration, and was greatly improved in 2003 by creating a custom co-polymer socket with special custom bike trim-lines held in place with a locking pin suspension and a Powerbelt.  Further changes to the biking prosthesis included changing the hydraulic knee to a lite weight friction free knee to reduce the amount of energy used to pedal the bike for the 25-mile race.

Mr. McGranahan began training for triathlons in 2001 and was selected earlier this year as a member for the USA Triathlon Paralympics Team.  Mr. McGranahan finished the 1500 Meter swim in 29:04 minutes, the 40K bike in 1:28:16, and the 10K run in 1:05:31, with an overall time of 3:09:55 including transitions from each portion of the race. 

Mr. McGranahan won the 6-mile Triathlon running event by an impressive 9.09 minutes.  His first place overall time, combining all three events won the gold Medal by 5.09 minutes.

This inspiring story gives hope and confidence to other lower extremity amputees.  In particular, because David McGranahan, age 37 never ran or did anything athletic for seventeen years after having an above knee amputation due to an unfortunate lawn mower accident that occurred when he was 14 years old.

David McGranahan resides in Sylvania, Ohio.  He is the Executive Director of The Champions Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for amputees through the advocacy and support of healthy lifestyles and physical fitness. 

Mr. McGranahan teaches amputee fitness and exercise programs at local YMCA Facilities in the Toledo area.  Vern Swanson presents high technology prosthetic devices at these fitness clinics. The next Amputee Fitness Clinic is on Saturday, December 17, 2005, from 12:30 to 3:30pm at the Francis Family YMCA, 2000 W. Dean Road, Lambertville, MI  48182.  The December Fitness Clinic will feature a demonstration of the Rheo Microprocessor Knee.  For more information on this fitness clinic or to RSVP, please call Swanson Orthotic & Prosthetic Center at (419) 472-8910.
 

To learn more about Dave's accomplishments select one of the links below to read his journal and see photographs from the Triathlons he has participated in.