January 15 - Blind Athletes

Last weekend our son and daughter-in-law participated in a half marathon run in Disney World, and so, Lyle and I flew down to Orlando to watch the big event – and a big event it surely was! There were over 27,000 runners, and I am sure that the number of spectators was even greater.

On the day of the run, we set our alarm for 3:30 – yes, that was A.M. By 4:30 we were in the thick of a massive traffic jam on the road leading into Epcot where the run was to begin. I keep saying “run” because it wasn’t actually a race. Each runner competed solely to achieve a personal best time.

Lyle and I were standing in the parking lot when the national anthem was sung and a blast of fireworks lit up the predawn sky. It would have been nearly impossible to find our kids at this point so we made our way via the monorail to the five-mile point in Magic Kingdom. The air was alive with energy, excitement and enthusiasm. The air was also quite brisk and I was wishing that I had on an extra sweater.

The wheelchair athletes and time qualifying runners were first along the track. Our son had told us what he and Laura would be wearing and so when they came along in front of us, Lyle was able to pick them out of the crowd. I was happy enough with this, but even more so when we moved to the twenty-kilometer mark and saw them still running. The noise generated by the spectators – bands playing along the route, individuals with bells and clappers, and of course rousing cheers from onlookers – was contagious. I even forgot to be quite so cold!

Now, I have titled this post “Blind Athletes” and you might be wondering why. After the run, our son told us that he had spotted two blind athletes running with guides. He noticed the first of these as a runner passed him around the five-kilometer mark. He noticed the runner particularly because there were three runners abreast with the outside ones wearing yellow vests with the word “Guide” printed on the back. Later in the race, Jon passed a similar team of three and looked back to see another blind runner between two guides.

My hat goes off to these two athletes and to their guides. What confidence to run amidst such a confusing crowd. I found the noise and the milling about of the vast number of people distracting to me as a spectator.  How much more so would it have been to be running on the track.

I have great admiration for anyone who chooses to run a half marathon but especially for those who have the added challenge of visual impairment. I need to remind myself that it isn’t a competition for me. My own personal best is achieved in other ways and so it is for each of us. We need to set our own goals and run or march to our own drummer. 

In the picture below, there are about 14 runners as they come to the last mile. Our son is the one in the red t-shirt. They are all still running quite strongly. 

Jonathan running in the half-marathon