[Nfbmo] cross country

[Matthew Sievert]

I ran a night through the neighborhood area and around the parks. I found less problems with curbs and uneven sidewalks because we had none so I ran in the street along the edge facing traffic. It was very relaxing and I enjoyed it.

That said,
Its dangerous as all get out.
Cars are the worse part. Along with uneven ground of the same color, such as grass and uneven dirt paths that have dips in them. Leaves in the fall are very bad, since they obscure grade changes and other obstacles.

When I run I do it at the local school tracks or in the YMCA, where the grade is the same and there are no cars.

When I walk I use/carry a cane and have two red blinking lights. One on the front of my backpack and one on the back, and cars still pay no attention to me. Did I mention walking sucks?

I think he can do cross country. He needs to understand it is going to be harder than the sighted folks, but he will make it if he truly wants to participate.

I wish I could have made more out of my high school athletic years. I believe I would have been a very good wrestler. I just needed someone to tell me more often to "do it" and deal with adversity when it comes up.

Discovering what you can do and your limits is such an interesting experience.


Good luck! 






On Aug 19, 2010, at 3:36 PM, Rosina Solano <colemangirly at yahoo.com> wrote:

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> Okay Roman wants to run cross country in middle school this year.  From what I remember when my brother ran cross country (30 years ago) they ran alot at golf courses and the way was chalked.  I just got off the phone with the coach and have some questions for you all.
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> Sometimes when they practice they are on uneven ground.  Okay, I don't think it will be a problem as we are in the country and Roman runs around here all the time.  Yes, sometimes he falls but he usually just somersalts and then comes right back up running.  I know he dosen't have the best vision, but he really likes to run.  But sometimes they run on the road and downtown.  While he might fall down in uneven ground, I am much more worried about curbs and such.  They run in packs usually and so he would be with someone, but does he take his cane?  Wont it get in the way.  But can he depend on someone to call out "curb, ditch, or step"?  I don't really know how to go about this.  Taking his can would definately slow him down and he dosen't want to take it.  He is extremely adaptable and runs out here in the country with me without it, but then it is just the two of us and I warn him about tree roots and such.
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> Does anyone out there run cross country or know of anyone that does that could help us?  We really need some pointers.
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> Thank you in advance;
> Rosina and Roman
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