COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 14, 2016) – How do you stay in top physical form when you live nearly 2,000 miles from your teammates and coaches? James Stuck (New Kensington, Pennsylvania), relies on individual and partner training, balanced with being a parent to two young boys and husband to his wife, Kim.
The U.S. Men’s Sitting Team veteran lived and trained in-residence at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond for a little more than seven years before relocating to the Tacoma, Washington, area in July 2014, so he and his wife could raise their children close to family.
Stuck joined the Men’s Sitting Team in 2007, two years after a Humvee he was driving struck a roadside bomb, resulting in his right leg getting amputated below the knee.
He is one of nearly a dozen U.S. Men’s Sitting Team athletes that reside away from the team’s Oklahoma headquarters. To help athletes stay on target, coaches supply players with suggested training plans; some players, such as Stuck, send video feedback in an effort to stay updated with changes to the team’s strategy.
Each month all members of the team and coaching staff gather in Edmond for an intense three-day training camp. Head Coach Greg Walker and his staff use the time to introduce and cement new game plans while also encouraging team growth through team-bonding activities such as team dinners or bowling.
Recently, Stuck shared what a normal training day looks like while he’s home in Washington training for the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics:
“I usually wake up and cuddle with my boys while watching our cartoons. My breakfast usually contains four eggs with whatever else I can find, but I must say that egg, waffle and cheese is my favorite.”
“After breakfast, I usually head to the gym to get some training in with my partner. When he is unavailable, the entire family comes along for the ride.”
“After training a small lunch is in order, followed by cardio and weight training.”
“On Tuesdays and Thursdays this year, I coached two teams with Lake Tapps Volleyball Club. On the other days, I head back home to the family. We like to wrestle, play at the park or with the dogs or do story time at the library.”
“When the weekend arrives, it’s usually off to coach my girls in a tournament, waking up around 6 a.m. and arriving home by 5 p.m.”
“The evenings are spent playing with the kids. If they’re good we can play LEGO Jurrasic World on Xbox 1! Then my wife and I usually relax and have a quiet night in.”
“Once a month it’s off to Oklahoma, then the process starts all over.”