[Sportsandrec] Road Racing

[Lori M. Miller]

Mike and All,

As I've already stated, "Just get out there and do it," but where I do feel that it is important to maintain the categories and especially there break them down into more categories is at the Paralympic level or other equivalent competitions. It is awesome to compete, but sometimes it is nice to compete on a level playing field against other athletes and find out who is on top.  I can't recal ever hearing of a totally blind athlete in timed races surpassing the times of an Olympic record holder. There is just so much involved in training and learning technique. Not saying that it can't ever be done, and I hope to see it happen one day.
special category, you're still likely to receive the "your so amazing" treatment.  
Lori
And, well, even if there is not  ----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Sivill" <mike.sivill at viewplus.com>
To: "'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'" <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
Date: Friday, Apr 17, 2009 12:51:32
Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Road Racing

>
>
> Not to mention that there will always be a small number of blind runners in
> the race so you'll be likely to win a trophy just as long as you beat the
> other two blind people, where fifty sighted people beat you. It sounds like
> a mortifying situation. "You're amazing just for doing it" comes to mind. 
> I agree with Mr. Kelly.
> Mike
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Thornbury, Kelly
> Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 5:33 AM
> To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Sportsandrec] Road Racing
> 
> While I probably stand in a minority in my thinking, and might receive some
> flack for it, I wonder if it is really necessary to create a separate "blind
> classification" at running events. Unlike cycling where tandem teammates
> both contribute to the speed of the bike, running with a guide shouldn't
> help you run beyond your physical capabilities, and a blind runner should be
> able to compete with sighted peers based on their own merits. In a society
> where we are trying to compete as equals with sighted counterparts in so
> many aspects of sports and life, does it send the wrong message to seek out
> the use of a segregated category for blind runners? In a venue where I could
> compete equally with sighted runners, I personally would rather accept a
> 100th place certificate over a 1st place "blind" trophy. To me it would be
> like asking for a separate blind category in a cycling event simply because
> the stoker of a tandem was blind. I guess if I were in your running shoes I
> would see this as an opportunity to demonstrate the equality of blind
> athletes by competing in the open events (the prohibiting of the use of a
> guide not withstanding). Take inspiration from the fact that there are
> Olympic-level blind runners competing with sighted peers. This might be a
> case where a little extra adaptation on our parts may go farther towards
> proving we are capable of more than many expect of us. 
> 
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