Runner Insight

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If you’ve donated and been following the video blog daily updates on my Run Over To Ellen’s fundraising project, you know that I’ve been dealing with a bunch of heavy equipment and construction machinery and closed roads on my running path this past month. Well, now the construction project has been completed, and my running trail has open and easy access again.

I wanted to let the crew know how much I appreciated everything they did to help me out this past month, so I wrote a letter to the Editor of our local newspaper, and am also mailing a copy to the construction company that they work for.

Here’s the letter to the Editor that I sent this week:

 Editor:

I just wanted to give a big shout out to the crew at Jensen Construction Co. for being so helpful and kind to me during the road work out on South Ave. the past few weeks.

I’m legally blind, and I’d just started my virtual Run Over To Ellen’s (www.RunOverToEllens.com ) 1,222.25 mile fundraising run for Guide Dogs for the Blind.  (See Missoulian article: Wednesday June 3, 2009.) Since my vision is limited, I have been running on South Ave. as it’s a controlled path that is easy for me to navigate with my white cane. 

When I was told that South Ave. was going to be closed, I became concerned.  How was I going to get the mileage in that I needed each week to meet my goal? So not knowing what to expect, I ventured out the first day construction was to begin. With my white cane in hand and running clothes on, I made my way slowly and cautiously to the “Sidewalk Closed” sign.  After waiting less than a minute, one of the workers approached me.  I explained to him about my dilemma and he was more than willing to accommodate me.  He put his elbow out, and escorted me around the enormous construction equipment and mounds of gravel until we were on smooth sidewalk again. 

He told me it was no problem, just wait for one of them each day, and they would be glad to help me around.

So for this past month, that’s just what I did.  I know Brad helped me several times, and Tom a few times. And while I can’t remember the names of all the other great folks that served as my eyes for me, I really want them ALL to know how much I sincerely appreciate their kindness and willingness to help me run my 36 miles a week on the path I can navigate.

I’m sure that construction crews don’t get enough recognition for a job well done, but in this case, it goes well beyond an “Atta boy” and “Job well-done”. You folks at Jensen on the South Avenue crew all made what could have been a major setback for me, a huge success! So a monstrously huge Thanks!

How ’bout it?

- Vision Runner 

 www.RunOverToEllens.com

www.RunnerInsight.com

www.FirstGiving.com/VisionRunner

P.S. If you donated and can’t find (should be in the FirstGiving email response you got when you donated) or remember the private access link to follow the daily video blog updates, email us at admin at RunnerInsight dot com and we’ll be happy to shoot you the access website link again.

My Slapdown

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On Thursday I was interviewed by Dr. Andrew Shatte’.  He is on the faculty at the University of Arizona and is currently working on a book about people who have overcome adversities.  He’s interviewed lots of people who have been handed some sort of “slapdown” by life (his term). He was intrigued by my slapdown story, and we had an insightful and somewhat introspective conversation.  He asked me a lot of questions in reference to my reaction and the subsequent acceptance of my life with the eye disease RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa). 

But there was one question in particular that Andrew asked me, that I had a hard time articulating an answer for. It was “Did faith or spirituality play a part in how you handled your “slapdown”?”  I told him yes, it most certainly had, but I felt my answer was inadequate in expressing how much it truly has helped me to not allow myself to be limited by my vision constraints.  Even though I’m legally blind, and I do have to deal with that every day, I don’t define myself that way or see myself as “broken” or “limited”.

I’m constantly aware that I’m part of something much bigger than just myself.  It would be nearly impossible to continue on the journey that I’m on if I had chosen to live as a victim.  There’s an inner knowledge that we are all connected, and that gives me hope and a sense of security.  And it’s not just the hope that I will someday see again, but the knowledge that what we do here in this lifetime counts. It matters, and we are here for a reason. 

That reason may not be fully revealed to us until we are no longer a part of this physical world, but it doesn’t matter whether it’s made clear or not. I have the unshakeable faith that what I’m doing at this very moment in time is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. 

There was no way for me to know what my life was going to bring me.  No way to know that it would take going blind for me to even begin to understand what being of service to others is all about. I’m absolutely confident that had I been living my life without this particular challenge, I would not be working on my current 1,222.25 mile fundraising run in an effort to raise $30,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind, or have even considered running to the Ellen TV Show! 

I could have looked at my “Slapdown” through the eyes of a victim, but at the time, I chose this road, not because I’m more evolved or smarter, but because it was the only road I knew. And that journey would allow me to eventually end up where I am today.

I do have faith in the Universe and its infinite wisdom. Look where it’s brought me so far!! I live a beautiful and peaceful and contented life that is only getting better literally every single day.

 How ’bout it?

 - Vision Runner

P.S. If you’re getting value out of this blog, you can do me a favor by linking to us and mentioning my Run Over To Ellen’s fundraising project to friends and co-workers.  Here’s the link information for this article:
Title: My Slapdown

URL: http://runnerinsight.com/2009/06/22/my-slapdown/ 

P.S.S. Here’s an informational website all about guide dogs…www.Guide-Dogs.info

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The Day Before My Marathon – The Marathon Expo

So my marathon day 2007 was drawing near. I had put in all the hard work and dedication required in my six to seven month long marathon training program in preparation for my first marathon.  I was very excited and a bit nervous about the big day the next day.

One thing I had been looking forward to was attending the Marathon Expo.  It really turned out to be a great experience.  Not only was it fun, but it helped me to put all of my marathon training program into perspective: I was part of something far bigger than just myself.  For the most part, I had been training alone. It didn’t really feel like I was a part of something so massive until I went to the Expo. Seeing all the people at the Marathon Expo really got me hyped up…I was one of them too, I was…a marathoner!  This Expo was for me! Kind of a cool and eye-opening revelation for me.

There were all sorts of vendor booths set up at Caras Park, a beautiful park right downtown by the river.  And let me tell you, it was hot out!  We had been having record- breaking heat for the past few weeks, and the forecast for race day was for more of the same.  But the Expo was set up under the bridge, so we were mostly in the shade. 

I stood in line to get my race packet where I would find all sorts of goodies, including my race number.  Race packets are great.  I love to see what little treats are in them.  There was a pair of running socks from the Runner’s Edge, our local running store that I love to pieces! (Hi!)  There were a handful of nutritional snacks and a blister kit, along with coupons for some free stuff from different merchants around town.

Once I had my race number, I was free to wander around the Expo.  As you might imagine, I was drawn to the running clothing  And I found a nice RED sleeveless Hind running shirt.  I also bought a Missoula Marathon tank top.  Then I hit pay dirt!  A Missoula Marathon running hat!!  This was great.  It did however leave me in a quandary about my running outfit. The Missoula Marathon hat was grey. I had planned on wearing my red Runner’s Edge hat. So of course, that evening I had to try on my race day outfit and the two different hats.  In the end I decided to go with the red hat as planned. 

After wandering around the Expo, the last stop we made before heading out was to buy some cool, delicious Flathead cherries.  They are the best!  Big dark red jewels of pure delight!  They hit the spot.  A refreshing treat on a very hot 90 degree day!

The Expo served to fuel my excitement and calm my nerves…I realized that I really wasn’t alone in this 6 month long trek ending with the final 26.2 mile portion of my journey.

And the next day it would all come together…or not.

How ’bout it? 

-Vision Runner

P.S. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but if you haven’t made your $1 donation yet, you’ll want to do so today. Because everyone who donates through today (Friday June 12) will be put into the drawing for the free pair of Runner’s Edge running socks! So get your donation in today!! Hurry, hurry! Just go to www.FirstGiving.com/VisionRunner or click on the Donate button on the green and purple FirstGiving widget in the sidebar.  You can get the details on  my 1,222.25 mile Run Over To Ellen’s (Ellen TV Show) fundraising project by clicking here: www.RunOverToEllens.com   Thanks!!