Morehead City, NC -- Quadriplegic hand cyclist Paul Kelly, 62, climbs the bridge to Atlantic Beach over the intercostal waterway on a training ride for the Boston Marathon. The strenuous climb can take 10 minutes. Tuesday, March 27, 2018. (Justin Cook for The Wall Street Journal)<br /> <br /> SUMMARY:<br /> <br /> Paul Kelly, hand cyclist, Beaufort, NC Training for the Boston Marathon so we would want to shoot in March to run the week before the marathon or marathon Monday, Apriln16. Life as a quadriplegic doesn&rsquo;t keep 62-year-old Paul Kelly on the sidelines. After breaking his neck in a swimming accident in 1978, Kelly was determined to find fitness activities to maintain an active lifestyle. He discovered handcycles while watching his niece compete in the 2006 Marine Corps Marathon and was inspired to start his own marathon career to stay fit. Paul has competed in over 100 half and full marathons. On April 16, he will celebrate his 40th year of living as a quadriplegic by taking on one of the most coveted races for a marathoner -- the Boston Marathon. Kelly is among the 60 handcyclists competing in the 2018 Boston Marathon with a qualifying time of 1:26:37. Most of Paul&rsquo;s distance training takes place at Bogue Banks, which includes Atlantic Beach, Salter Path, and Emerald Isle, N.C. It&rsquo;s Nicholas Sparks worthy scenery with its marshes, waterways, inlets and small islands. Paul is particularly fond of the approach from Atlantic Beach to Bogue Banks -- it&rsquo;s via the high-rise bridge. In cold weather, Paul has to be mindful of the environment and dress in a manner that insulates his legs while also allowing his upper body to ventilate. Paul chooses to train at times of day when the temperatures are more reasonable. He uses hand warmers in his gloves, on the inside the grips on his handcycle and in the legs of his trousers.
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