Runner Insight

2009 Missoula Marathon:  Expo

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Wow, hats off to another awesome Missoula Marathon event this year!

With 1,000 more people registered to run or walk this year, it put the total at around 2,400 participants. The event was bigger and better than ever!

We stood in line to get my race packet and number, and this year the packet came in a reusable tote bag and we used it for all of our other goodies that we bought at the Expo. So after getting my race number (#930), it was time to shop! I checked out the Runner’s Edge booth hoping to find a last minute running singlet, but couldn’t find what I was looking for. But not to worry, I found plenty of other shirts with the Missoula Marathon Logo on it.

As we were checking out the cool custom bags that a Missoula woman makes with your running bib numbers and other race paraphernalia, another woman approached me and asked if I was the one who had a website. She said she’d been to it once, but couldn’t remember what it was called. Her daughter has RP, the same genetic eye disease that I have.

I actually had heard of this local teenager from several people I knew that knew her. I’d heard that she was only 17, and going blind from RP. It was great to talk to her mom. She said that Janie wanted to connect with other people with RP, so I gave her my phone number in case Janie wanted to talk, she could give me a call.

Then it was off for more shopping! We spied…LOL… these SPI belts we had seen on Donny Deutsch’s “The Big Idea” show last year. (The SPI in SPI belt stands for “small personal items.) I discovered a red one that I liked and decided I would try it out during my half marathon the next day to carry my honey beads. The woman promised that it was designed not to bounce around when you run.

Later we came across a booth with winter running caps and head bands. These lightweight hats and wraps are great for me. Since I have to wear my running hat all the time to help cut the glare, it’s been difficult to find a cap thin enough to wear under my running baseball-style cap. I ended up buying the head band, as it’s mostly my ears that get cold during winter runs.

After browsing through the farmers market that was going on in conjunction with the Marathon Expo, we made our way to my favorite Italian restaurant, Johnny Carino’s. We had the soup and salad lunch special. Later that evening I prepped for my half marathon the next morning by getting some take-out pasta from there as well.

Before bed, I got all my race gear and clothes laid out, ready for the next a.m. I put on my running outfit, so we could pin my race number on, and we placed the timing strap on my running shoe.

Of course, I had to test out the SPI belt I got at the expo. I ran around the house and jumped up and down, and it stayed in place the way it was supposed to…no bouncing. So I was satisfied it would work just fine. It was getting close to midnight before we hit the hay. With a 4:40 a.m. alarm, I knew it would be a short night!

 How ’bout it?

-Vision Runner

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Today I’ll be doing an interview with our local NBC station about my Run Over To the Ellen TV Show (Run Over To Ellen’s) and the half-marathon that’s coming up on Sunday. We’re getting quite a little bit of promotion for my fundraising for Guide Dogs for the Blind cause here lately, thanks to T and Carol. 

They also just did a blurb on my fundraising efforts in the July issue of JUST CAUSE magazine which just came out a couple of days ago…here’s the link: I’m on page 65!

http://www.zinio.com/reader.jsp?issue=416088048&o=ext

Below is an interview I did via email for a pets website…. http://blog.k9cuisine.com/ 

I don’t know for sure when they’ll post it, but I figured that I might as well let you, my loyal blog readers, check it out first!

1.   What is your story-how did you get into running for Guide dogs?

I was diagnosed with RP (retinitis pigmentosa) over 12 years ago, and have been slowly losing my vision over the years.  I have also been a runner for 17 years.  Running is my passion, and that was something I didn’t want to give up. In Sept of 2008 I started a blog about being a blind runner.  It’s about overcoming obstacles and envisioning a new reality.  The way I got into running to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind was I wanted something to challenge me in my running.  I was healing from a severe case of sciatica this spring, and needed some motivation.  So my partner and I came up with a virtual Run Over to Ellen’s. It’s a 1,222 mile fundraising event that will take me 8 months to complete with the goal of raising $30,000 for the “Guide Dogs for the Blind” organization.  I don’t need the use of a guide dog right now, as I get along okay with my white cane, but there are a lot of blind and low vision people who,  without the use of a guide dog, have lost not only their sight, but their sense of freedom and ability to be independent as well.  I know how important it is for me to be independent, and I wanted to be able to help others have that too.

2.  What is the secret to your success with your running-how have you gotten to where you are today?

I guess the secret to my running, is that I enjoy it so much.  I do things to keep my running fun and new, like this virtual Run Over to Ellen’s fundraising project to raise $30,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.  The challenge of running well beyond what I thought I could accomplish in a week, to the thought of actually getting on the Ellen TV show are all motivating to me!

I have always run for enjoyment, and I’m not a competitive runner, however I have competed in several race events over the years, including finishing a marathon, and a half dozen half-marathons, plus other races.  I think all my running throughout the years has gotten me to where I am today, running more miles in a week than I ever thought I would want to, and not only that, but continuing to do it as my vision deteriorates more and more to the point where I have to run with my white cane.

3.  What makes you different?

I guess what makes me different from other runners out there is that I am running with a white cane weaving back and forth across the path in front of me.  Running is supposed to be one of the easiest and simplest of sports, and for most people, it is. But for me, it has become quite a challenge every time I head out the door to go for my run.  I can’t just head out to run wherever my feet take me, I have to plan ahead and run on controlled paths, and I mentally have to be on top of my game, no runner’s haze for me. I can’t afford to zone out while running.  I have to concentrate very hard on what’s around me all the time. 

4.  What is it about dogs that you love?

 Well the best thing about dogs is that they love you absolutely unconditionally.  We should take a lesson from them in that respect. And of course puppies are the cutest thing ever and they just have to make you laugh.

 5.  What is the neatest part about your work?

 Well right now my work is to run!  And I love to run.  But more importantly, I feel that I can actually make a difference in the world.  That is why we set up this fundraising project for “Guide Dogs for the Blind” to be a grassroots sort of thing.  If everyone gives just $1, they too can be a part of making a big difference in the world.  It’s about a lot of people giving a little to make a big difference!

 6.  Tells us more about the charity you’re running for.

 “Guide Dogs for the Blind” is a great charity.  All the services provided by “Guide Dogs for the Blind” to the blind and low-vision recipients are at no cost whether it’s the dog or the guide dog training or alumni services or retirement of the guide dog…There is no charge to the recipient.  It costs quite a bit to raise and train a dog to become a guide dog, but the service that they provide is invaluable to the individual who receives one.

 7.  What are your future plans related to helping dogs?

 I don’t know at this point, I’m still in the middle of this project…Maybe I’ll do a Run Over to Oprah’s! LOL

 8.  How can people find out more about you and the organization?

 Check us out at www.RunOverToEllens.com , that’s my fundraising project website. My blog is at www.RunnerInsight.com and the donations page is at www.FirstGiving.com/VisionRunner

9.  Tell us a little about you!

I’m 45 years old and I live in western Montana where I was born and raised.  I had 33 years of good eyesight, but over the past 12 ½ years I have been losing my vision to RP, a genetic eye disease.   But that hasn’t kept me from doing what I love to do, and that’s run.  I did have to give up driving, riding my bike, and various other activities that I enjoyed, but I was determined not to have to give up on my running. 

I have a blog over at RunnerInsight where I am updating with new posts three times a week, mostly about being a blind runner. I try to keep it inspiring and motivational, because even though we may not all have a physical obstacle, we all have some kind of obstacle or barrier or issue that we need to face in life. My strong belief is that it’s not what happens to you that matters, but what you do with it that defines your success in life. I am also in the process of creating a video workshop on How to Make Running More Enjoyable.  So watch for that, it should be available before the end of the year, if not sooner.

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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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