Post by ray on Jun 14, 2011 11:53:11 GMT -5
Running is hard enough, but for this blind runner who is training for an ultra marathon in 10 days (June 24, 2011) it is an even greater challenge. Add to that the fact he lost his training partner and had to run his training runs by memory (through the camber of the pavements or identifying the different foot strikes to give an indication of location on the pavement. paired with the audio cues) makes for a very inspirational story.
Monday Inspiration: Simon Wheatcroft, Blind Runner
05/16/2011 | Sunny Delaney
We recently received this note from Simon Wheatcroft in the UK. I think you’ll agree that his story is both amazing and inspirational!
Simon Wheatcroft
Over a decade ago I was registered blind. I lost my vision through a degenerative disorder called Retinitis Pigmentosa. For the past 6 years I trained exclusively with assistance, be it a guide runner for running or someone at the gym.
Last year my guide runner moved to another city so I was left alone.
Without the money to buy a treadmill or even afford a gym membership I thought my running career had come to an end. For a while I wondered what I could do until one day I just decided to head out on my own.
I began by running up and down a football pitch by positioning myself between the goal posts and using audio GPS to get a distance marker. I figured I wouldn’t run into anything. This didn’t pan out very well as dog walkers seemed to love to walk into me.
While I had my guide runner we had always run the same route, so I wondered if I would be able to run that route alone. I began by training on a closed road that was on the edge of the small route. I was using RunKeeper audio cues to aid with distance and pace. I would run this small .15 mile road up and down, up and down. Until one day I plucked up the courage to leave the road and attempt the old route.
Over time I added a little bit more of the route, first walking it to learn the curbs bumps and pole placements. I would walk into a post or fall down a ditch quite regularly in the early parts of learning the route. But after 4 months of practice I knew the route.
I was able to tell where I was through the camber of the pavements or identifying the different foot strikes to give an indication of my location on the pavement. I paired this with the audio cues on RunKeeper to get distance markers. I am still able to perceive light so I am able to identify particular contrasting marks on the floor, such as a yellow line indicating to turn and so on.
So after months of practicing I now run alone. To set myself a true challenge I am now training to compete in ultramarathon events. My goal is to hold the record for a blind runner at BadWater and Comrades as well as any other ultras I can afford to attend. This summer I will be competing in my first ultra race: The Cotswolds 100.
- Simon Wheatcroft
Simon sent us a video he shot while on a run. He held his phone and talked about how he knows all the different sections. It’s a little tough to watch — in part from the jumpy camera (he’s running) but mostly because I was on edge every time he came to a corner (he’s running BLIND).
Simon is looking for pacers for the Cotswolds 100 on June 24-25, 2011. If you’re in the UK and can run 10+ miles at a pace of around 11 min/mile on trails, he’d love to hear from you!
You can learn more about Simon on his blog, Adapting to Going Blind.& www.blind100.com/
Monday Inspiration: Simon Wheatcroft, Blind Runner
05/16/2011 | Sunny Delaney
We recently received this note from Simon Wheatcroft in the UK. I think you’ll agree that his story is both amazing and inspirational!
Simon Wheatcroft
Over a decade ago I was registered blind. I lost my vision through a degenerative disorder called Retinitis Pigmentosa. For the past 6 years I trained exclusively with assistance, be it a guide runner for running or someone at the gym.
Last year my guide runner moved to another city so I was left alone.
Without the money to buy a treadmill or even afford a gym membership I thought my running career had come to an end. For a while I wondered what I could do until one day I just decided to head out on my own.
I began by running up and down a football pitch by positioning myself between the goal posts and using audio GPS to get a distance marker. I figured I wouldn’t run into anything. This didn’t pan out very well as dog walkers seemed to love to walk into me.
While I had my guide runner we had always run the same route, so I wondered if I would be able to run that route alone. I began by training on a closed road that was on the edge of the small route. I was using RunKeeper audio cues to aid with distance and pace. I would run this small .15 mile road up and down, up and down. Until one day I plucked up the courage to leave the road and attempt the old route.
Over time I added a little bit more of the route, first walking it to learn the curbs bumps and pole placements. I would walk into a post or fall down a ditch quite regularly in the early parts of learning the route. But after 4 months of practice I knew the route.
I was able to tell where I was through the camber of the pavements or identifying the different foot strikes to give an indication of my location on the pavement. I paired this with the audio cues on RunKeeper to get distance markers. I am still able to perceive light so I am able to identify particular contrasting marks on the floor, such as a yellow line indicating to turn and so on.
So after months of practicing I now run alone. To set myself a true challenge I am now training to compete in ultramarathon events. My goal is to hold the record for a blind runner at BadWater and Comrades as well as any other ultras I can afford to attend. This summer I will be competing in my first ultra race: The Cotswolds 100.
- Simon Wheatcroft
Simon sent us a video he shot while on a run. He held his phone and talked about how he knows all the different sections. It’s a little tough to watch — in part from the jumpy camera (he’s running) but mostly because I was on edge every time he came to a corner (he’s running BLIND).
Simon is looking for pacers for the Cotswolds 100 on June 24-25, 2011. If you’re in the UK and can run 10+ miles at a pace of around 11 min/mile on trails, he’d love to hear from you!
You can learn more about Simon on his blog, Adapting to Going Blind.& www.blind100.com/
