Posts Tagged ‘Run Over To Ellens’

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Keep on Keeping On

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
 

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I love running!  And I’ve been doing it for 17 years.  As you may or may not know, for all but 5 of those years I have been running blind.  Well, legally blind anyway, but it’s only been the past 4 years that it has become increasingly more difficult for me to see the path I’m running on.  This has forced me to run on a controlled path near my home.  About a year ago I started using my white cane to help me navigate the trail while out running.


Now some would say I have one of the best excuses in the world not to run anymore.  And it’s true; I do.  I mean a blind runner?  What’s that all about?  But my love for the sport, and yes, more than a little obsession has kept me pushing through all sorts of obstacles.  The main challenge of course is in not being able to see the path I’m running on. 

Before I started using my white cane, there were times when fear and frustration nearly won out. I would take off running on the controlled path as I usually did, only to find that the lighting on some days made it even more difficult for me to navigate.  Stumbling off the path several times and almost falling, I was tempted to turn around; head back home and just forget the whole thing.  But after standing there in the middle of the path for awhile, my stubbornness would kick in, and I would slowly start to pick my way down the path again, clear in the knowledge that this overwhelming sense of defiance was something bigger and stronger than just my stubborn ol’ self working through me. I can’t really explain it, other than to describe it as a voice within confirming “I’m not going to allow my outside circumstance to determine my reality.”  Everything was against me: the angle of lighting, my fears and insecurities.  Yet the undeniable power of belief and persistence became my friend and champion.

They say “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” And I buy that…because will can come in the form of faith or of passion or both, but it all molds your determination.

I’m happy to proclaim and even celebrate that I haven’t stopped running although my obstacles will seem insurmountable to many…but that’s just a figment of their imagination, because the obstacles are surmountable, truly. Look at me, I’m surmounting!

Two years ago, I ran a marathon. Now I’m doing a 1,222.25 mile virtual run from Montana to Burbank, CA to raise $30,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind, while looking to get on the Ellen TV Show. My virtual run is not only for a good cause, but to prove to myself and others that anyone can overcome their obstacles. We all have obstacles, but your obstacles don’t have to define your reality or your identity. Even when life throws it in your face and screams at you: “It’s okay to quit….you’re blind.”

But let me tell you, I don’t define myself as handicapped or disabled at all. I don’t even describe myself as a blind person, although other people choose to use that label for me. I simply consider myself a runner…who just happens to be blind. ;)   Which begs the question…who truly has the vision and insight?

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: Keep On Keeping On

URL: http://runnerinsight.com/2009/06/15/keep-on-keeping-on

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Posted in 2009 Fundraising Run, Everyday Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Running, Vision Stories | 5 Comments »

Baby Steps

Monday, June 15th, 2009

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Baby Steps

 We have always made changes in our lives by taking baby steps.  We did this when we wanted to start eating healthier, when we switched over to drinking more water by getting re-usable BPA-free plastic water bottles, and more recently here, we have done the same thing with our desire to be more environmentally conscientious.  One of those “baby steps” was to buy reusable shopping bags.  Now the ones we bought to put our groceries in, we keep in the van.  And they are easy for us to remember when we pull up to the store.  But we also use the bags to haul in stuff from the van, such as mail and other items we have accumulated while out running errands. For example, if I have to go to say, maybe the running store to buy a couple of things, for example maybe a new running shirt!! (Yee-ha!) and some energy gels, we don’t have to get a bag from the store, we just drop them into the re-usable grocery bag on the back seat. In fact, sometimes we refer to it as “the errand bag.”

When it was light enough out for me to start running home from work in the morning, I needed to bring my lunch and running clothing to work with me.  I was using a backpack during the months I would walk or take the bus home, but I didn’t really want to run home with a backpack on.  So at first I started using plastic grocery bags. But since we were trying to cut down on our use of plastic bags, I thought I would get several tote bags to take to work.  Later during the week, when we were out running errands, we could swing by the hospital and pick them up with all my re-usable lunch containers and work clothes. 

So off we went in search of tote bags.  My plan was to buy four, one for every day I worked during the week.  I found some small tote bags that would work, but then T pointed out a nylon re-usable grocery bag that folded up into a little pouch with a small carabineer on it.  It seemed perfect, as I could just get the one bag instead of four, and bring it home each morning clipped to my running shorts.

So that’s what I got and it’s worked out great!  I no longer use the plastic bags to carry all my stuff to work.

It’s just one more baby step we are taking to go green.

How ’bout it?

-Vision Runner

 P.S. Way to go Robin! Robin won the Runner’s Edge running socks that we gave away in the donor’s drawing over at my fundraising project for Guide Dogs for the Blind www.RunOverToEllens.com. If you haven’t donated yet, go to www.FirstGiving.com/VisionRunner and donate your $1 to be entered into the future drawings…and once you donate, read your email for the special private donor’s only access link to be able to watch the daily video blog.

 Thanks!

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: Baby Steps
URL: http://runnerinsight.com/2009/06/15/baby-stepsbaby-steps/

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Marathon Training Program:The Day Before – The Marathon Expo

Friday, June 12th, 2009

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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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