Runner Insight

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!!

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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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