Runner Insight

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I’ve always been one to look at the glass as half full, that is unless it’s filled with cod liver oil, and then I’m afraid the glass is more than half full! 

All my life I have been an optimist – looking for the good in things. And even when the situation doesn’t turn out the way I want, later I can see how it was all for the best.  It’s a choice we get to make every day: whether to be in a good place in our lives or a bad place.

For example when I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) in 1997, I went through a period of grieving for the loss of my vision, but after a while my grieving no longer served me and my generally optimistic self took over again. I remembered that staying positive was a choice.

In the beginning, it was sometimes a minute by minute choice – but a choice nonetheless!

Living with the loss of my eyesight has brought on many challenges, some easy to deal with and some not so much: from making sure I’m color-coordinated easily with the help of my partner and a little organization, to running a full marathon – which took a lot of effort and planning.

But as each new challenge comes along, I see that it’s all about overcoming the obstacle -my blindness – and envisioning a new reality for myself. And the reality I choose for myself is that one day I will have my eyesight back! 

So by keeping a positive attitude and focusing on what it is I want, I live each day with the knowledge that at any moment I could see again!

One of the most positive things that has come out of my blindness is my website.  RunnerInsight.com is a website dedicated to my mission in life: overcoming obstacles and envisioning a new reality – and not just for myself…everyone has challenges to overcome, and barriers to break through to create their more ideal life.

To promote my website and do something challenging and fun while raising money for a great cause, I started a new project: A Virtual Run Over To Ellen’s - Running 1,222.25 miles from my home in Montana to the Warner Brother’s Studios in Burbank CA to the Ellen TV Show.  This means I’ll be running an average of 36 miles a week for 34 weeks here in my hometown.

The challenge: to run 36 miles a week for 34 weeks!  I had just come off a back injury that kept me from running for over two months, and I was having a hard time breaking through that mental barrier at the 3 to 4 mile mark. So needless to say, this became a big challenge for me and since starting 7 weeks ago, I have moved well beyond my comfort zone into arenas I could never have imagined.

The fun part…Well, so far that’s been getting interviewed by the local media, and ultimately the adventure of it all will lead to me getting on the Ellen TV Show!  Or Ellen Degeneres tickets to a taping of the show. 

The inspiring part…That would be being able to do just a little good in the world, by raising $30,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.  That’s something I would have never attempted while I had my eyesight. I couldn’t have imagined trying to start this grassroots effort to get 30,000 people to each donate $1.00 to do a tremendously good thing. And if you haven’t donated your $1 yet, just click on the green and purple FirstGiving widget in the sidebar to donate.

Anyway, my point is that my vision problems made it impossible for me to stay in my comfort zone, and forced me onto a path that allowed me to think outside my comfort zone…at the same time doing some good in the world. 

And all of this gives me a reason to keep running, even when it’s difficult for me to see the trail.  I’m more determined than ever to overcome my obstacles and breaking through the barriers my vision loss has put up. 

So no matter what you are struggling with right now, you too can decide to make the changes necessary.  Go deep inside yourself and make the choice to envision a new reality for yourself and start on the path to a new life where you are the star of your own show! (…and the crowd goes WILD! They Start POURING Out of The Stands!!! )  Why Not?

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner

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When Mary offered to create a poem to promote my Run Over To Ellen’s Fundraising Project, I honestly had no idea what to expect…so imagine my surprise when we got this incredibly perceptive portrait of the project and myself…

Thank you so much, Mary! Words can’t express how special this is. I think T said it best: “Wow!”

A blind runner creating a new vision for life

Had an incredible vision one day

To push herself out of her own comfort zone

While doing great good along the way.

Her name’s Vision Runner and although eyesight is lost

Her vision is clear as can be

Guide Dogs for the Blind, her passionate cause

Run over to Ellen’s – yes be on TV.

Thirty thousand the goal to help those in need

For safety, independence and trust

One thousand two hundred twenty two miles, the distance she’ll run

Your financial support is a must.

Thirty six miles each week she’ll run with white cane

Her courage gives goosebumps to all

Despite the terrain, the weather, fatigue

She knows she is answering the call.

A website has she to inspire and share

The challenges with RP she must face

but she knows The Secret to creating her life

With humor, positivity and grace.

So join in the fun you’ll be thrilled that you did

And come to Burbank in December to cheer

An incredible woman who despite all the odds

Knows absolutely no limits or fear.

- Mary McManus

www.newworldgreetings.com

We only need 30,000 people to donate $1 each so click here to donate your $1 and then forward it on to everyone you know….This is one of those projects where we each can contribute a little and together do a World of Good!

How ’bout it?

-Vision Runner

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Popularity: 27% [?]

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Hic-ups…one of those pointless, annoying spasms that we all get to suffer from at some point in time…usually when it’s most inappropriate and embarrassing, like at a funeral or when your boss is raking your whole team over the coals in the main conference room. And don’t you hate it when you can tell the folks sitting next to you are annoyed and wish you would stop, while at the same time they’re kind-of relieved that it’s you and not them drawing unwanted attention to themselves.

Over the years I have used several different tricks to get rid of the hic-ups.  When I worked at the airport and would get the hic-ups, I would simply walk over to the lounge and ask the bartender for a shot of bitters and lime.  Boy that stuff tasted awful, but it sure did the trick.  But what was I supposed to do when I wasn’t near a bar? 

Well a friend told me about this technique.  Get a glass of water.  Put it on the floor in front of you.  Then bend over and with your head between your knees take a sip of water.  Repeat several times.  A warning though: you must do this before your hic-ups go on too long.  I don’t know why, but if you can catch it right away, this usually works.

The simplest and most amazing remedy I have ever used was taught to me by T, who learned it in junior high school from her science teacher.  Are you ready?

When you have the hic-ups, close your eyes then have someone else (preferably someone you trust) place their pointer finger gently on one eyelid in the center, and their immediately adjacent long finger on the other eyelid, like they’re holding the “peace” sign on your eyelids, but not touching any other part of their hand to your face.  The gentle pressure should be steady and consistent, but not hard.  Hold like that for 30 seconds, or a bit longer. I’ve never been able to make it work by doing it on myself, but with a partner doing it, this amazing technique works about 90% of the time for me. I’m not sure exactly why it works, but I suspect that there is some nerve or something behind your eyeball, and the gentle pressure placed on your eyelid must… I don’t know…maybe calm or relax the nerve somehow?

 Whatever makes it work, you’ll want to give it a try next time you are plagued with the dreaded hic-ups! It’s simple, it’s quick and very effective. Can’t you just picture it? Asking your boss to pause for a moment during his tirade while you have your co-worker place their fingers on your eyelids to alleviate your hic-ups for you? 

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner   

P.S. Just a reminder: As a part of my 1,222.25 mile Run Over To Ellen’s Fundraising Project, everyone who has donated $1 or more by Sunday May 24th will be in a donors drawing for a special, limited edition Vision Runner “Dare To Envision A New Reality” retractable ballpoint pen. Less than 10 in existence! Sure to be a collector’s item…We only need 30,000 people to donate $1 each for Guide Dogs for the Blind…so get your donations in today. You can make miracles!! $1 at a time! Click here: Run Over To Ellen’s Fundraising Project

Popularity: 12% [?]