Runner Insight

Winter Running – Winter Obstacle Course

So, how goes the winter running now that our big snow storm of 2012  is a distant memory….NOT!  

With over 16 inches of snow in the main event, not a distant memory at all.

Here it is over two weeks later, and there are still quite a few tricky winter obstacles for me to be on the alert for whilst on my winter runs. One very obvious obstacle is ice in all its forms – from black ice to sleet falling from the sky to ice puddles and everything in between.

The morning temps have been in the mid 20’s F, so I know there is going to be ice when I run to work.

And by the time the afternoon rolls around, the temperatures have jumped up a bit into the high 30’s F to sometimes even low 40’s F. So we do have a significant amount of melting of the enormous amounts of snow we received.  Which means winter running is defined as slushy and sloppy in the afternoons, and treacherous and slick in the a.m.

Snow berms created by the plows are another potential tripping hazard. For me it is sometimes hard to see how big, and wide they are when trying to cross over them to get to the street crossing. But I use my white cane to poke and prod at them until I feel I can step on and over them safely.

Of course, the constant freezing and thawing and rain and freezing and thawing and snow always keeps the footing a question mark. Now that I am able to run in the mornings again, I have been wearing my cleats to help keep me upright.

With all of the obstacles thrown at me recently, it kind of reminds me of that ABC show “Wipeout” where they throw obstacle after hazard after spine-jarring spill at the contestants who actually volunteer for that kind of abuse.  (I imagine chiropractors can’t even watch that show for the horror of the trauma voluntarily imposed upon their bodies.)

There is one obstacle that threw me for a loop a few mornings ago.  As I was running down the very clear and easy-to-navigate bike path across town, I noticed that there was some snow in the middle of the path.

Well since I don’t have much 3D vision left, it is always best that I go around things in the path, but for some reason, I don’t know what it is about seeing something, and feeling I have to step on it?

But can you say, “Snow Boulder?”

Yep, a huge chunk of snow had broken off from the large snow bank along the side of the path and rolled right into the middle of the trail.

But I didn’t see it that way. I just saw a white patch on the black asphalt – and of course, I was thinking it was just snow on the trail – not a monstrous ball of snow standing sentry in the middle of the path.

Luckily for me it was so big, I just kind of fell on top of it. Yes, I know you can visualize it, kind of belly flat across it, arms flailing, very startled and amazed that this thing could just kind of sneak up and do me that way.

So I casually-self-consciously stood up, wondering whether anyone got to see such a fabulous display of grace and style, nothing battered but my fantasy of myself as a graceful gazelle, bounding beautifully across the open plains.

But it’s the small snow/ice chunks that are more dangerous to my life and limb, as those ones will send me flying in a more impactful way!

Anyway, I used my Herculean strength and rolled the icy snow boulder off the path, so no one else would fall victim to its hypnotic beckoning to run straight into it.

Yes, I admit – it was larger than life.

But that’s me; I like to run into big things. Just see my blog post entitled “Don’t Worry, The Bridge Is Still Standing” and you’ll see what I mean.

How ‘bout it?

- Vision Runner

Living Vicariously Through the Eyes of Others

I was reading in a book…err… listening to a book, and the author was explaining how when her partner tells her a story about an experience or a story about his life before he knew her, the story – simply by the telling of it – became hers, too.

That thought really resonated with me.  Not only did I get what she meant because T and I relive each other’s childhood stories, but even more profoundly, with my vision deteriorating to the point where I can walk within a foot and a half of someone I’m looking for and not see them, I actually live every day through other people’s eyes.

For example, one morning while we were out for a walk, T stopped in the alley and told me there was a squirrel up ahead trying to move something.  As we got closer, she told me the squirrel was hunched over something, and seemed very anxious and wary.  We started walking again, and as we passed the squirrel, he did not run away but seemed to spread his body secretively over the object under him. 

T laughed when she recognized that the reason he didn’t scamper off as we encroached on his space was because he had one of those 6” seed bells that people hang from a tree or post to feed the birds.  That little guy was protecting his “Mother Lode” with his life!  Not even the close proximity of “HUMANS” could deter the greedy little fellow!

Okay mind you, I saw none of this.  But from the detailed description T gave me of the event, it is so clear in my mind’s eye that when I tell the story to others I say “We saw a squirrel….”  It is totally “my” story. 

T kids me and says she could tell me that there is a Great Blue Heron, a Canada Goose, and a fox drinking tea with lemon out of mason jars, and I’d believe her.  I told her “Don’t be silly; I would not… However, if you’d have said a Loon instead of a fox…”     

Anyway, you get the point. I rely a lot on T’s willingness to describe our surroundings and what’s happening out there in the arena of her vision…not just to tell me there is a curb and to “step up” or to duck under the low hanging branch…although I greatly appreciate that, too!

Even the insignificant things that a person with their eyesight may take for granted, like a single leaf dangling from a limb, slightly twirling in a light breeze, T will point out to me.

So when you see a “Willy Worm” crossing your path, or a bird preening its feathers, be sure to send up a thought of gratitude. I know I do for my “Sight Donor”.

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner

My Marathon Book

Yahoo!  My new book is finished.  It’s called  “Running Blind: The Journey of a Blind Runner Training For Her First Marathon”

I got it done just before I ran the 4^th annual Missoula Marathon last month. The marathon I finished in July was actually my second time running the full one, cause after I ran the inaugural Missoula Marathon, I’ve run the half marathon the past two years.

When I was finished with my first marathon in 2007, I was convinced that I had no need to put myself through that torture ever again.

It wasn’t until I started writing my book about my first marathon experience that I decided to run another full marathon, so that’s how I ended up running it again a few weeks ago.

But let me tell you about my book – I’m so excited!  “Running Blind” is all about my first marathon experience. It includes everything from what lead up to my decision to run a full marathon, to the long months of dedicated and consistent training and finally to the running of the full 26.2 mile marathon, including all of the many lessons I learned along the way.  It’s full of great stories and the humorous tales of my journey.

I hope you’ll buy a copy for yourself, for friends and family, and be sure to tell everyone you know, too.  ’Cause it’s not just for runners – it’s for anyone who enjoys a great read. We all have obstacles to overcome in our life; this is just my story of how I took on the challenge of one of mine.

Right now there’s a couple of special promos going on to get a discount on the book – Purchase Running Blind: The Journey of a Blind Runner Training For Her First Marathon with 15% off with coupon code BEACHREAD305 or

You can get free shipping with a purchase over $19.95 with coupon code FREESHIP. So use whichever code works better with the amount you’re purchasing!

Just click any of the  links on this page to order your copy today! Click here:  Running Blind or download the first chapter for free at the top of the right hand column/sidebar!

And Enjoy!!

How ’bout it?

-Vision Runner