Runner Insight

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

Don’t Worry, The Bridge is Still Standing

As you may know, I have been training for my 2^nd full marathon coming up in July.  After writing my soon to be published book, “Running Blind: The Journey of a Blind Runner Training for Her First Marathon” I decided it would be fun to run another full marathon to be able to put into practice all that I had learned from the first time around. 

So starting in March, I have been adding miles onto my long run on Sundays.  A few weeks ago, I ran the 18 miles that my marathon training schedule said I was to run.  Not really having a route that is long enough to run straight out and back, I had to come up with a plan that would allow me to get my 18 miles in somewhere around town, in areas that I was familiar with. 

It did involve me having to back track some of my miles, and run past my house again, which usually makes me want to head straight for the barn like some kind of out of control horse, but since it was only a few miles into my run, I didn’t have a problem passing the barn…err my house. 

I was now 6 miles into my run with another 12 to go.  I knew if I ran all the way down the Kim Williams Trail, an old railroad route turned into a bike and pedestrian path, I’d be able to get my full 18 miles that I needed.  I have always enjoyed running this trail, but since my eyesight has gotten worse, I have not run on it by myself in a few years. 

The main reason I don’t run it is because I have to go a lot slower and really watch out for tripping hazards such as rocks, fallen branches, and small children. 

Once on the trail, I remembered how much I loved running on the well traveled path. The mostly dirt trail runs right alongside the river.  It starts at the edge of the U of M campus and goes in about 3 miles.  It’s very peaceful and pretty, but as I said, lots of opportunities for me to get tripped up.

So on this particular Sunday, I had to be extra careful as I was running the trail with 12 miles already logged on my pedometer.  My legs were getting fatigued as I turned around to head back, the last 6 miles home.  

But it wasn’t on the rocky, family and children-infested trail that I “ran” into trouble.  The trouble was much less obvious to anyone with eyesight. It  came on the newly paved Riverfront trail that hooks up with the Kim Williams Trail.

I had deployed my white cane after coming off the dirt trail, and was weaving it back and forth on the shiny new path, thinking how nice it was.  The weather had been a perfect 56F degrees and partly sunny. All of a sudden a gust of wind and some light rain began to fall, just as I felt myself leaving the path. 

I was on a downward slope, and I knew I had gone off the path, and was preparing to stop, when a very large and very hard concrete pillar stopped me instead! 

Imagine my shock and disbelief as I did a face plant into concrete.  My nose and upper lip took the brunt of the impact.  Thankfully my running hat and white cane kept me from hitting it super hard.  I’m not saying I didn’t hit it hard, but at least I didn’t knock out any teeth or break my nose!

This concrete pillar is attached to a major bridge.  Yup about the only obstacle on this path, and I run right in to it!

So I stood there licking my wounds….well, not really licking… I used a tissue, and made an assessment of the damage.  Other than a fat lip and a small cut on my upper lip, I would live to run another day.  I debated with myself whether I should call home.  But since I was not hurt too bad, and I really did want to finish my run and get my 18 miles in, I pulled myself together and continued on.  I’m just glad I couldn’t see the people’s faces as I ran by, I’m sure I was a sight to see.  I did stop and run cold water on my lip from a water fountain.

Sometimes it sucks to be a blind runner!

When I got home we got an ice pack for my lip.  I said, “At least I didn’t come home without any teeth.” 

T replied, “Just come home, we’ll deal with the teeth later, just come home!”  We  both laughed, what else could we do?  I know it’s scary for her to let me go out and be independent, especially when I do things like this, but she knows that I’m doing what I love, and really I am careful, and now I know not to run into pillars…Yes I knew it before, but now I REALLY know!

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner

^ Click Arrow To Listen

Welcome Back, Everyone!

So every Tuesday, except on rest weeks, Vickie would pick me up fairly early in her truck, bicycle loaded in back, and we would drive the 8 miles to the trail in Lolo for my longer marathon training runs.

I have to admit those were some of the best runs of my running career.  Vickie and I soon got into a comfortable rhythm.  She was very attentive to my sight issue, making sure I knew when there was a turn in the path or that other bikers or runners were approaching.  For the most part, the trail was free from cross traffic, especially as we got further away from town.  Having Vickie on her bike was also beneficial in that it gave me a visual anchor. That made it so much easier for me to navigate.

Both of us would start out with several layers of clothing, and I was the first to start shedding my layers, as Vickie on the bike was going at a much slower pace, and she could not stay as warm as I was running. 

Since we hadn’t seen each other in quite some time, we had a blast catching up.  Vickie had moved to New Mexico for a few years and had just moved back to Montana.  She had once lived down in the area where we were running, so she had lots of stories to tell about living off the land and building a cabin.

One morning after a big wind storm the night before, we were starting a long run of 16 miles. As I was running along the path, Vickie stopped me. On the trail a few yards ahead were huge sheets of metal roofing!  I know if I had been running this trail alone, I would have been disoriented, and could have easily run into it or fallen on it or something. 

Most of our long runs took us through Florence about 11 miles from our starting point. In Florence we would pass a little café, and Vickie would say, “We need to come back here and get a piece of that home-made pie.”   Hey, I’m still waiting for my pie, Vickie!

On one of our runs, I think it was a 20-miler, the head wind coming back was so strong, I thought the run would never end.  It was hard to breathe, and I had to shout to be heard, not easy when I was struggling for every breath!  It was very trying, and to be sure one of the toughest runs I have ever done.

Now, here in Montana we are blessed with very low humidity. In fact, sometimes in the summer we have lower humidity than the deserts of Arizona!  But that was not the case this one particularly humid morning.  During that 21-mile run, my liquid intake was nearly double, and I was way more exhausted at the turn-around point.  Sweat was pouring off me, and I wasn’t sure I could finish.  But I kept plugging along knowing it was good for me to experience these different conditions, since I had no idea what kind of weather to expect for the marathon in July.  Little did I know it was going to be one of the worst heat waves western Montana has had in 100 years!

We discussed having her ride along side me during the actual marathon itself, and we got permission from the race organizers to do so. She would have been happy to do it, but it happened that the marathon was the same weekend that Vickie had made plans to be out of town on vacation.  As it turned out, I didn’t need any assistance during the marathon, as the route was very well marked and volunteers were everywhere! 

I am so grateful to Vickie for helping me achieve my goal of running a marathon.  We used to joke that these runs would be a good way for people to unburden their worries and concerns.  I could start charging people to be their running therapist: Just run or bicycle along beside me, and tell me what’s going on with you. I must admit there is something to it.  As we did those long runs, it was great to see how much better Vickie felt about herself and her life in general. There’s something exhilarating about being in the fresh air, just existing and being one with my body that makes me appreciate all the wonderful blessings in my life and gives me confidence knowing that even more and better things are coming!

There’s no need to be afraid of the long runs. They will prove not only to be the most valuable and enjoyable part of your marathon training, but undoubtedly the most memorable as well. 

Remember, training for a marathon is about the journey … and the running!

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner