Village of Support

Saturday I will be running my next marathon with my two amazing friends and running guides - Brenda and Suzette.  I am so very grateful for their friendship and their willingness to run tethered with me for a full marathon.  As if running a marathon isn't enough - their willingness to also guide me is inspiring!  Love these beautiful women!  (We will miss you Melissa).

My first marathon two years ago was a wonderful experience.  We worked hard in the training and did well.  Looking back, I didn't fully appreciate the blessing of training and running a marathon without an injury!  Well, there was a concussion in there to heal from :) but otherwise simply a lot of hard work and yes, fun.  

Last year, in training for our next marathon I broke my foot on our 16-mile run.  Instead of running a marathon, I spent a couple months in a boot and further healing my seismoid fracture.  Thankfully, after three months I was back running 10K's and a half marathon.   On to this year to begin training once again for another marathon.  Just before leaving for Guide Dog for the Blind for training with my new guide, Georgie, I broke my foot (different bone)!  We were in the middle of training for the marathon.  So, instead of continuing my marathon training at GDB on the treadmill,  I spent the evenings icing my foot as it healed from the latest break.   I returned home and after a couple more weeks was able to resume running.  A couple weeks later I began to have challenges with my IT Band.  Did I need to turn in the running shoes for a while?  Oh, the balance of being driven to a goal and listening to my body's needs.  I decided I would do everything possible to run this marathon while being wise.  I also agreed that if a doctor or other professional told me not to run, I would listen to their advice.  There are other marathons ... however, this one was in place with my two friends training as well.  I have spent the last two months with a physical therapist team, a podiatrist, and an orthopedic doctor as well as awesome friends helping me reach the point where I am excited and ready to run the marathon on Saturday.  I have been inspired by the professionals who have believed in me and have done everything possible to make this happen.

We are grateful the doctor, physical therapist and podiatrist are all in the same building!  Some days have even been able to coordinate appointments.  Georgie knows the routes well to their offices!  She has learned that find the elevator means not the first one that is the freight elevator.  She has even learned the routine of machines at physical therapy.  She has learned that I'm okay while x-rays are being taken.  She has become my cheerleader waiting on the entry way rug until I return from a run.  She is part of the team!  

I don't know if the IT Band will act up at mile two, mile ten, mile twenty or not at all.  Perhaps there will be something else totally different that will flare up.  I know that I have put in the preparation and given 100% for this goal.  Whether I cross the finish line in the time we hope for or reach a point where I am injured, can't walk and have to call for help; I am grateful for the journey.  I have learned much.  I have gained a deeper appreciation for the blessing of being able to run.  I am grateful for the incredible village of support that have helped me along the way.  Husband,  forever cheering me on; doctors and physical therapists who have helped me have a 'game plan' throughout the process and amazing friends.  They have walked me back to the house when the pain flared up - been willing to stop and stretch or walk up the hills to keep the healing process going.  I recall going in to one of the doctors and telling him - I know I'm injured and I don't want to do anything crazy.  However, I really want to run the Boston Marathon for my 50th birthday and need your help to make that happen.   He said: We will support your determination.  I love that and thought ... do I support others determination?  

I have returned from each run to two yellow labs sitting on the entry rug eagerly waiting.  They will be there greeting me at the end of the marathon no matter what the outcome.  They seem to know Its about the journey and being a part of the support.

Rounding the corner back to our house.  Final run before the Marathon on Saturday with Suzette.   Steve was just pulling out and took a quick picture :).  

Inspired

Yesterday we went for our run - an eight-mile run as we prepare for our marathon in 15 weeks! I love having a schedule, setting a goal and going for it.  In order for me to run, I rely on a running guide. I am so very grateful to have some friends that are willing to not only run with me but take on this aspect! I can't speak for them, but I know I have a lot of fun!  Even if I could run without a guide, I can't imagine doing it without them ... it is just so much more fun to share in the journey! I care deeply about them and love the opportunity to run and be their friends.

Yesterday one of my friends that has run with us ran the first time as my guide runner. She was awesome. I have found myself reflecting what that must have been like for her. I don't know what its like to be on that side of the tether especially for the first time. I think it must be much harder than on my side. I just go for it with no worries at all. Like Cricket when we are walking, they have to be aware of what is all around us - share verbal cues, go around obstacles, traffic, etc, etc. I am SO inspired by them.

Hope you have a cozy, relaxing weekend. I think Cricket has the right idea :).  Although her body language seems to be saying - when is this winter going to be over! Hang in there, Crickers

In our dining room -- now, are 96 hygiene kits prepared by some wonderful women and girls.  As the items began to arrive, I felt inspired by the work of so many to make this service possible.  The girls wrote such sweet notes in the bags ... "Somebody loves you", "You are special"  "Have a nice day"  "I care about you" to mention a few.  Their sweetness and love is inspiring and I think will be felt by this community.  

The power of love gives meaning and purpose to life.  Love reaches beyond the borders of our challenges, and we find ourselves doing what we came to earth to do.  Ardeth G. Kapp

I'm sitting here doing my braille homework through the Hadley School for the Blind - all free of charge.  Inspiring story of making a difference:

Hadley's History: A Dream Realized

When he lost his sight at age 55, William A. Hadley faced many challenges. A former high school teacher, Mr. Hadley taught himself braille so that he could continue to enjoy reading, but was frustrated to find that there were few educational opportunities for blind individuals.

Mr. Hadley's dream was to help others acquire communication skills that foster independence. Together with Dr. E.V.L. Brown, an ophthalmologist and neighbor, Mr. Hadley conceived the idea of teaching braille by mail. In 1920, the school opened to its first student. When Mr. Hadley mailed the braille course to this Kansas woman desperate to continue reading, one wonders if he ever imagined the eventual result: a school that would become the single largest worldwide educator of blind people.

When Mr. Hadley died in 1941, the school had 800 students enrolled. Today, the Hadley school has an annual enrollment of more than 10,000 students from all 50 states and 100 countries.

We at The Hadley School for the Blind remain committed to realizing our founder's dream for decades to come.