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

Popularity: 1% [?]

On Sunday I decided to try out the trail that heads over towards downtown where I work. I knew some of the city sidewalks to get there were still snow covered and icy.

But it had been close to two weeks since we dug out of our 16 plus inches of snow, and I was curious about the condition of actual bike trail where I like to run. I know that they usually try to keep it pretty clear for bicyclists and pedestrians and runners to have an easy path across town.

So I put on my running shoes and the ice cleats I bought for times when the path is not so clear and dry, and of course, my flashers – oh my!

So the going was still pretty torturous, I mean treacherous –  okay either works in this situation, as I had to go very slow and watch out for…err  rather, “feel” for chunks of snow and ice with my white cane. I knew that they were there just waiting to trip me up and slip me up!

But once I got to the bike and pedestrian trail, it was smooth running, as they did a great job of clearing it.

So, yay!! I got in 12 miles on Sunday, running the bike trail and skating the sidewalks.

Our local running club “Run Wild Missoula” was out doing 13 miles that day, and as I was out running in the same area, I got a big hug from Tim from the Runner’s Edge, our local running store.

It was great to see him. He helped me across some tricky snow berms at the crosswalks. “Thanks, Tim!”

The forecast is for warmer temps, so the route should dry up even better. And maybe the holdouts will actually clear their sidewalks like they’re supposed to (but probably not.)  But the warmer weather means by week’s end I could be back on my normal morning running schedule, albeit with soggy sockies and shoes!

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner

Popularity: 1% [?]

Ya know, I started this blog post several months ago – in fact it was within a month of finishing up the marathon. But you know how things go with life and other things keeping me busy (no really good excuses though) we just never got around to finalizing it and getting it up and posted. So with my apologies, here it finally is!

My O’l Buddy Joe

Runners are hugely loving and generous people in general. And it never ceases to amaze me the genuine compassion and willingness to help that it is exhibited by my fellow runners.

I’ve always had good experiences when running in organized races, especially when running with my white cane.  And the running of my third full marathon was no exception.

Whenever the cannon booms for the start of the race, there is a moment of trepidation and subtle uncertainty inside of me – a hesitation and wondering if I will actually be able to see well enough to make it the entire 26.2 miles to the finish line.  

This feeling only last a few moments and thankfully it disappears as I fall into a rhythmic pace with all the other racers. 

Unlike a lot of runners who take the beginning of a race as a signal to pass as many people as they can, I have to concentrate on a) not running smack-dab into the rear of the person I’m following, and b) not running off the edge of the road.  With all of that jockeying of racers taking place in the initial minutes, I’m content to just let them all pass me as they will.

Adrenaline can really get you into trouble at the start of a long race.  Going out too fast is one of the biggest mistakes a runner can make.  And believe me, I have done it and lived to pay the price!  Sometimes it’s hard to control because it’s such a high to be passing hundreds of other runners as if they are standing still!

But since the decline of my eyesight, I have been forced to take a backseat in the pack of runners, for my own safety as well as theirs!

As the crowd of runners thins out, I can mostly make out the white line on the side of the road, and I pretty much stick to it like a baby monkey to its mama, not letting it out of my sight. 

This year I was able to run for over half of the 26 mile race and it was 16 miles in before I needed to deploy my white cane. 

Even though I was running in very familiar territory, the glare of the sun, and the many turns, and the increased number of runners and walkers, all convinced me that I needed to get out my cane.

It insured that I would be seen.  The white cane not only helps me to navigate the path in front of me, but it also lets my fellow runners, volunteers  and the wonderful crowds cheering along the route to know that I don’t see too well.

It was just after mile 18 that I met Joe. 

He was running along, and graciously asked if he could help me around some tricky turns on the route.  I of course said yes.  He took my hand and gently guided me around some very scary drop offs and uneven pavement on the side of the road. 

As we continued on, Joe and I got to talking, and I found out that this was his 44th marathon in 44 different states since 2002!  WOW! 

What an accomplishment.  Me, with my own little ol’ third marathon nearly in the history books, I was appropriately impressed.  Yup  - he is going to run all 50 states.  How cool is that?!  I don’t know if I would have that in me even if I could see.

We were talking and I told Joe that I had written a book about my first marathon experience, “Running Blind – The Journey of a Blind Runner Training For Her First Marathon.” 

He asked me if it was on Amazon. When I responded that yes it was, he let out a laugh and said that he had seen it.  He couldn’t believe that was me!

Joe became my eyes as he took my hand once again and led me through the tunnel area that always gets me twisted around and going the wrong way. 

At mile 21 T met me again for a hug and some well appreciated words of encouragement.  I quickly introduced her to my new ol’ buddy, Joe. 

 As I always do, I used my rendezvous with T to walk a few blocks and drink some water.  Joe kept running, and I was sad to see him go.

But as luck would have it, I would run (ha, ha) into him a little past mile 23. 

I had run into a small parked car when I had veered too far to the right, and another runner named Daniel offered his help to guide me through this part of the course. 

So there I was running alongside Daniel when I heard my name called out.  It was Joe!  “JOE!” I yelped in excitement.  I was very happy to see my ol’ buddy Joe again! 

Daniel, Joe and I ran along with me in the middle – my two bodyguards protecting me from stealthy walking trees and invisible cars!

Joe and I lost Daniel at a water station around mile 24. 

It was at this point in the race that I told Joe how much I appreciated all of his help and friendship, and that he was making it possible for me to meet my goal of finishing around 5 hours. 

Joe turned to me, his voice cracking with emotion and emphasized how I had made his marathon for him.  He thanked me for running with him!  He said his wife was going to be so surprised that he had got to run with me.

The last two miles seemed to go by like the first two, FAST!  Now how many times have you heard that from someone who has run a marathon? Probably not too often.

We took the turn onto the Higgins Street Bridge for the final  sprint to the finish line.  

Joe said if I would cross the finish line with him, he would buy a finisher’s photo, something he has not done in all of his 44 marathon finishes.  

I replied that it would be my honor to cross that finish line with him, as I could not have had such a wonderful marathon without him.

So with hands clasped and arms raised, we crossed over the timing mat together with the crowds going wild!  Well maybe not wild, but lots of cheering.

T met me to guide me through the corrals and gates and out of the finishing area, and our local TV news anchor, Heidi Meili from KECI TV put my finisher’s medal around my neck.

I gave Joe my card with my website on it and encouraged him to check out my blog, because for sure he would be in it.  

When I told T that Joe had seen my book on Amazon, she asked him if he had bought it. 

A little sheepishly, he said No, that he had bought “Born to Run” instead. Okay  - not  a problem – we’ve read that one and it’s a powerfully good book, too!  

So … all’s well that ends my best marathon to date, thanks to my new ol’ buddy Joe.

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner

Popularity: 14% [?]