Just over a year ago, Patti Apel was in a wheelchair, recovering from a serious car accident that left her with severe whiplash, a hyper- extended leg and a broken vertebrae, among other injuries.

On Sunday, Apel will be in San Diego, competing in the Imperial Beach Triathlon, which involves a half-kilometer ocean swim, 15K bike ride and 5K run.

"It's just another challenge for myself," said Apel, 38, an administrative assistant who also teaches kickboxing, spinning and cardio. "I think I'll do pretty good, so I'm ex-cited."

Sustained stamina

A triathlon is an athletic event consisting of swimming, cycling and long-distance runs.

In most triathlons, the events are done back to back, and a competitor's official time includes the time required to "transition" between the individual legs of the race, including any time necessary for changing clothes and shoes.

As a result, proficiency in swimming, cycling and running alone is not sufficient to guarantee a triathlete a competitive time; trained triathletes have learned to race each stage in a way that preserves their energy and endurance for subsequent stages.

To prepare, Apel has been running three miles at least twice a week, in addition to swimming and mountain biking several days a week.

"I've never done a triathlon before," said Apel, who has been an athlete most of her life.

Now flash back to July 16, 2006.

Apel had gone to the eye doctor that day and, with her eyes still dilated, was being driven home by her father.

"We were waiting at a red light, coming home and some guy plowed into the back of us at 15 miles an hour," recalled Apel, who was wearing a mask around her face while her father was driving.

"I heard the screeching, so I just relaxed in the car and waited for it to happen," Apel said.

After the accident, Apel — whose body has been conditioned to endure chronic pain from sports injuries — didn't go to the hospital right away.

A few days later, "my foot swelled up and my back was a little sore," she said, so she saw a doctor.

At first, she was on crutches for three weeks. But then she had to undergo hand surgery for a torn ligament on the tip of her finger, which left her hand in a half-cast.

"I couldn't walk on crutches anymore," she said.

'It didn't bring her down'

In a wheelchair, she continued to teach her kickboxing class at Simi Valley Workout.

"It didn't bring her down at all," said Kathy Studnicka, club supervisor in charge of the instructors. "She was just as motivated and passionate and continued on."

Despite her temporary setback, Apel's kickboxing class on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays didn't dwindle in attendance, Studnicka said.

"It was even more motivating to the club members to see her do that," said Studnicka. "She still came in and taught her classes, wheeling around in her wheelchair, and they were just as intense as they were before she was injured everyone looks up to her, men and women. She's an amazing instructor and excellent at what she does."

For Apel, who was in a wheelchair for a month and a half, taking a break from teaching her class wasn't a consideration. "It sucked," she said, "but I got out of my chair as much as I could so I could demonstrate."

People like Apel are living proof that the power of the mind can overcome physical obstacles, said Robert Ortiz, owner of Kid Gloves Boxing and Fitness Studio in Simi Valley, where Apel honed her cardiovascular strength for the triathlon.

"She continued to train and strengthen her body, despite her injuries and physical pain," Ortiz said. "She shows that with focus and determination, anything is possible."

For Apel, sitting still is never an option.

"I just like to work out; I like to stay active," she said. "When I'm not active, I don't feel good."