Diana Golden Race & Boston Marathon Restaurant Raffle

This past Sunday was my first ski race of the season. It was a Diana golden race held at Gunstock Mountain in New Hampshire. Diana Golden is a race series specifically for adaptive skiers so there were skiers from Main Adaptive, New England Healing & Skiing Association (who I ski with), and Gunstock's Lakes Region Disabled Sports program. It was great to see the Maine Adaptive crew I met at Ski Spectacular in CO and in total there were about 25 racers with a range of abilities.

Gunstock was my first race ever last season and I crashed on my first run. The course is very narrow with fencing on both sides which left very little room for error on a few gates. Bob Golub, who is a fabulous NEHSA instructor/guide volunteered to be my race guide, and during course inspection we focused on the narrow turns and the finish. Thankfully, this year the timing system allowed for Bob to ski through the gate with me instead of turning off at the last minute.

My first run was clean with strong communication between Bob and I. I managed to stay within a gate of his turns with a strong finish. I felt like we could ski the top half a little faster on the 2nd run. Unfortunately, we didn't see our time at the bottom. I came out of the gate more agreesively on the 2nd run and immediately communicated to Bob, via our two-way headset, to speed it up. There is a small roll around gate 4 and I think I turned a little late on this gate. I scrubbed a little bit of speed before the the last three gates, which were in a straight line and somewhat flat. I knew I skied the top part faster but was concerned about how much time I lost mid-run.

My first run is listed at 38 seconds. Someone mentioned that there were some timing issues during my run (I was the first racer down)  so this seems to be inaccurate. My second time was 31.55. This is a full 10 seconds faster than last year's time so I am happy with the improvement. I also posted the second fastest adjusted time of all the racers. It is nice to see all of my training and gate practice starting to pay off. I am also confident that my time will improve the more Bob and I ski together. Fingers crossed we will ski together at an upcoming International Paralympic Committee race at Loon Mtn later this month.


Boston Marathon Raffle

It is time for another raffle to benefit the Massachusetts Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired and Team With a Vision. I'm going BIG with a package of wonderful restaurant gift certificates.

Row 34: $100. Just named a Beard Foundation finalist, which is the culinary equivalent of the Oscar's, as the best beer program in the country. Yes, the beer lineup is THAT good and the local oysters and seafood is not to be missed.

Parish Cafe II: $50 Wonderful, casual restaurant specializing in sandwiches made from local chefs. Lucy has been eating their mac n cheese almost monthly for 7+ years so they have some good non-sandwich options, too.

5 Horses Tavern (South End): $25 very tasty American/casual food with an excellent craft beer list. The bar and table seating offer a super cozy, n'hood atmosphere.

$15 contribution gets you one entry into the raffle and $50 gets your FOUR! You can contribute to my Team With a Vision page here. The drawing will be the week of March 14. Thanks for supporting MABVI!

Happy Running & Skiing!.

Win a pair of Topo Athletic shoes!

This week and next I'm raffling off a pair of Topo Athletic shoes (I'm a very proud Topo Athlete Ambassador) as part of my Boston Marathon fundraising. Although I am a qualified runner, I am honored to once again run with Team With a Vision and leverage my running to support the Massachusetts Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired.

For every $20 donation to my campaign, you will receive one entry into the raffle. A $50 donation yields you THREE entries and so on. I'll draw the raffle the week of February 22nd. 

Topo has a wide range of running (road & trail) as well as gym/cross-fit shoes for both men and women. Their shoes are lightweight, supportive, and come in a wide range of flashy and styling colors. Most of the shoes range in price from $100 to $130 so scoring a pair for a $20 donation is a sweet deal. And just last week they rolled out the Hydroventure, a water-proof shoe great for the trails and winter running!!! 

My current Topo collection: Fli-Lytes, Magnifly, & Runventure!

You can donate here and check out the Topo Athletic shoes here. Thanks for supporting me and the Massachusetts Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired. 

Boston bound, again

I have decided to run the Boston Marathon again as a preemptive strike to regretting not running it come marathon weekend. The Boston Marathon is one of the biggest weekends for (all) runners who are blind/visually impaired (B/VI) so it is a highlight of my running calendar. Well over 20 athletes who are B/VI run Boston and we have an entire weekend of fun and social events. 

Although I am a qualified runner, I have decided for the third straight year to run with Team With a Vision and raise money for my work, the Massachusetts Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (MABVI). Check out my fundraising page for why I am running to support MABVI (hint: it is not because I work there). I am also thrilled to be sharing the Boston Marathon experience with my fellow Topo Athletic Ambassador Francis David. Francis has kindly volunteered to be me sighted guide for the entire Marathon!!! More on this soon.

I am fully aware that I have asked a lot of my friends and family over the past couple of years between marathon fundraising and asks to support my skiing adventure. So this year I have to make it interesting and therefore I am raffling of a number of prizes to those who contribute to my campaign.

The first item is a terrific hair cut and color donated by my fabulous sighted guide and talented stylist Cory Gardner and MOP Salon. If you donate this week and next you will be entered to win this prize valued at $165!!! Every $20 donation gets you one entry and $50 gets you three. You can donate here.

Check back every couple of weeks as I will raffle off a number of gifts (running shoes, beer, restaurant certs, etc). Not all gifts will be for just Boston folks! Thanks for your support and Happy Running. 

Race Camp & Sighted Guide Search

I would like to thank ALL of my friends and family for supporting my Ski Adventure over this past year. Whether you texted words of encouragement, inquired about my next steps, or generously donated to my fundraising campaign, your support means the world to me.

2015 will forever be remembered as the year I fell back in love with skiing. Last month, through the support of many, I was able to attend a national race camp as part of Ski Spectacular, which is a week-long conference/camp organized by Disabled Sports USA. It was held at Breckenridge Ski Resort so this was also my first time skiing in Colorado! I used most of my work time off to attend and Jill and Lucy were very supportive in his decision. After camp Jill and Lucy joined me at Vail for three days in which we skied with Foresight Ski Guides!

It was a race camp so the first two days were focused on Giant Slalom and the next two were all about Slalom. On the fifth day we raced.

Photo Credit: Reed Hoffmann courtesy Disabled Sports USA 

I was paired with three to four other skiers who are blind/visually impaired (and their guides) and we were very lucky to be matched with Coach Diane, who is very involved with the Maine Adaptive Program. Members of the U.S National Disabled Ski Team were also present providing valuable advice and support.

Diane led us through drills on regular trails, then took us through the intricacies of running gates. We did slip-slide drills, skiing around brushes (aka mini gates), learned a bunch of ways to better transfer our weight and get on our downhill ski more quickly and efficiently, and a whole host of other important race techniques.

Let me say this-ski racing, especially Slalom and Giant Slalom (GS), is no joke. It definitely is not as “easy” as the superstar skiers on TV make it look. There is so much technique involved, different types of Slalom gates (into, delay, hairpin, etc) and then you mix in the need for precise communication with your sighted guide. As many people say, ski racing for a skier who is B/VI is a team sport. I was very fortunate that my guide Ron is an excellent skier and communicator and also has some race experience.

Photo Credit: Reed Hoffmann Coutesy DUSA

I took it all in and tried to apply what I learned on the mountain to running gates. This continues to be a slow transition. But every day I ski I work on the drills and techniques I learned at camp so I can apply them come race day.

So what is next? My absolute Number 1 priority remains finding a guide to train and race with. I am determined to attend two International Paralympic Committee Alpine Series (IPCAS) races this winter. One is in February at White Face Mountain in NY and the second one is in March at Loon Mountain in NH (midweek). I continue to network and reach out to some of the folks I met at Ski Spec and through my skiing at Mount Sunapee and the New England Healing Sports Association (NEHSA) adapted race program. I am prepared to pay for transportation, lodging, meals, and the needed licenses. I need someone with Slalom and GS race and ideally guiding experience. But right now I’ll take a racer who is a quick learner.

Please share this post with anyone who you may make an ideal guide or may know someone who would. In the meantime, I will continue networking and improving my ski race technique.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated. See you on the slopes!!!

 

Photo Credit: Reed Hoffmann courtesy Disabled Sports USA

Tackling the TARC 100

Let me put this right out there-training for a 100K trail race was the most difficult mental and physical thing I’ve done. From my very first training run, I struggled running in the woods. My legs and calves ached and my already weak ankles were toast from frequently rolling them. I also put up two DNFs in my first two trail races/trg runs, a 12K in the Blue Hills and 50K in Medfield, MA, both Trail Animal Running Club (TARC) races.

My confidence was shattered and for the first time ever I was questioning if I was able to accomplish a goal because of my low-vision. Running trails is so different than running on the street. Due to my narrow field (I have a 3-5% field in both eyes) and inability to see contrast (i.e. rocks and roots on the trail) I was tripping and falling everywhere and forced to walk through technical sections-even with outstanding guides calling out every root, rock, step down/up, and turn.

I had already put it out there that I was aiming for a 100K in October but at the time of the 2^nd DNF I hadn’t signed up. I finally decided to reach out to Adrian Broca, Jason Romero, and Richard Hunter, peers who are excellent runners, have completed ultra trail runs, and also have low-vision (two of them have the same eye disease as I do). Talking to them and getting tremendous feedback about trail running (Jason even recorded a video about poles, lights, etc!) reaffirmed my commitment to making this work and gave me the confidence to push forward.

Fast-forward to the end of my training and welcomed taper time. I spent my taper weeks running on pavement and doing ankle strengthening exercises multiple times a day, including while waiting for the MBTA bus. I felt confident going into the race and felt like I had a shot at the 18 hour cutoff.

Taper time is often spent mentally preparing for a race as much as it is resting your body. I felt mentally strong and confident. However, I started to have a lot of feelings around my role as a runner who is also blind/visually impaired (B/VI). Like all athletes with disabilities, I often just want to be a “runner,” or “skier” with not the added B/VI qualifier. Part of this is driven by the fact that I was embarking on something so few runners attempt. So why not call me a runner, or ultrarunner, and leave it at that?! This is also why I advocate so often for person-first language. I also know that I, and many of my peers are often in a position to raise awareness about being active regardless of your vision and breaking down barriers at every opportunity. I’ve somewhat made peace with this and accept my awareness raising role, but be warned it still kicks up some feelings for me.

Race morning was here and my guide Michelle and I pulled into the Hale Reservation parking lot right at 5:30AM. When we got to the Start/Finish line the Race Director introduced himself by saying “Hey Kyle, its Josh Katzman” and I replied “Hey, how did you know it was me (I had my white cane out)?” Josh quickly replied that he recognized my foot fallJ Josh and the entire TARC crew have been SO supportive of me and my desires to run TARC races. Without blinking an eye, they said yes to my guides, made it possible for me to switch out guides at different spots, and continually asked what else they could do to help. True class acts all around.

After a quick trip to the woods (one of the top reasons why I love trail running), the group of about 20 100kers were off just a few minutes past 6:00AM, roughly one hour after the 100 milers. Due to the unpredictability of being able to run different parts of the course, it was tough putting together a race strategy with firm paces. However, I thought I could finish the first 12-mile loop in about three hours.

With our headlamps, reflective gear, and Black Diamond Trekking Poles, Michelle and I jogged down the beach and headed into the woods. We were able to run this section at a somewhat comfortable pace so I constantly reminded myself to breathe and take it slow. Michelle is an incredible guide so I was very comfortable running two steps behind her, with her calling out the footing and when we were turning. The first 12-mile loop was mainly on the larger 25-mile loop but there were a few sections not on the official course.  

After an hour or so I felt pretty good and settled into a decent groove as the sun began to rise. It is really cool being in the woods and getting to experience daybreak. A few times Michelle called out “smooth sailing, lazy feet” which is my favorite cue. I can totally relax, both mentally and physically, and simply enjoy running. It was so quiet in the woods-all we could hear was nature-birds chirping, small animals scurrying about, and small twigs breaking beneath our feet. Simply beautiful!

 I was running with my Nathan pack filled with Tailwind and pockets stuffed with bars, gel caps, and salt tabs. We cruised through one of the smaller aid stations and shortly the trail opened up into Powisett Farm. This spot was a highlight of my day partly because we were running on grassy farmland, the scenery was beautiful, and the Farm aid station was less than two miles away. When we left the farm I asked Michelle our pace and it was just over 16 min/mile. This took me down a notch or two. I thought we were running more than walking and would be closer to the 15 min goal. After the farm we popped back into the woods and were greeted by some rolling single-track and a few small hills, but nothing too major. After another couple of miles we dropped our average pace to 15:30 which picked me up.

Somewhere in this section I tripped and went down knee first. I actually executed a nice roll and almost stood right back up but my left knee took the brunt of the fall and had a nice gash on it. Thankfully, I had some Advil on me so I immediately downed two and kept going. We were able to run a little bit more so I excitedly asked Michelle our pace. Turns out she lost her phone somewhere behind us, and my Garmin was off, so we didn’t know our pace or mileage. Oh well, keep running we said.

Now the fun begins. We soon came upon Mark’s Knob which is a gravely hill, roughly at 30% grade, but short. We power walked the hill and were soon engulfed in some gnarly single track that was strewn with small jagged rocks, roots, and numerous boulders to climb over. I was not expecting this and it rocked me (pun intended) mentally. Our pace became laborious seeing that we were constantly stepping up onto and off of rocks. I spent the next mile or so stewing on why I was doing this-it was no fun constantly tripping and regularly falling. I was done and already crafting my drop out excuses to my wife and guides.

We finally cleared this section and had about .7 miles of easy terrain back to the Start/Finish. About a ¼ mile from the S/F Jill greeted us and I could tell she was “curious” on what took us so long from the last aid station. That last section dragged us down and we were well over my goal pace and even behind the cutoff time pace. We finished the 12 mile loop in 3:43, almost 45 minutes past my goal time.

Michelle & I finishing the first 12 miles. 

I downed half of a breakfast burrito (should have held the spicy salsa), a bar, some delicious noodle soup from the aid station heroes, and stuffed a salted baked potato in my bag while Jill refilled my Tailwind. My new guide Steve lost his phone right before we arrived so we were once again without pace or mileage. Maybe in a road race this would have been a big deal but in all honesty this didn’t stress me out too much. Our plan anyway was to run the runnable terrain at a comfortable pace and walk the other sections as quickly as possible.  

Steve and I headed out on the first of two 25-mile loops shortly after 10:00AM and there was a mix of runnable single track and “rock gardens” as Steve likes to call them which we had to walk. We ran past a number of gorgeous ponds and even crossed a narrow dam like structure in which there were about 40 students/tourists cheering us on (what exactly were they doing out there?).

Steve is an experienced trail runner and was very good at simply saying “let’s run and make up some time” and off we went. We passed through Grossman’s aid station and again was greeted by Jill. I downed a few pieces of watermelon (my new favorite trail item), refilled my pack and continued plugging along. I was pleasantly surprised that my stomach was feeling great. Although not low on energy, I was constantly getting hungry a mile or so before each aid station which was fine by me.

Shortly after leaving Grossman’s we entered the Noanet Woodlands section which is a combination of very runnable trails along with the tallest peak. Steve pushed the pace when we could and I felt really good. The climb up Noanet is about a 5 minute, calf/quad burner. We climbed this a ton during our training runs, including a few repeats, but I swear it got a little higher come race day. The top afforded a nice view of Boston and there were a few hikers up top to say hello to.

We picked our way down and were able to run a bit. At one point, Steve saw a runner in front of us stretching his legs on a horse jump (some serious horse dung on the trail!) and I was THRILLED that I may actually pass someone. Steve called out “let’s run” which I think got the other runner moving. I had him in my sights for a few minutes then lost him when we came onto a technical section. Oh well.

Steve guiding me through one of the many "rock gardens" w/ "basketball" size rocks.

We arrived at the Noanet aid station feeling good and once again Jill greeted us (see a pattern here-she rode her bike to every spot!!!). The two TARC volunteers were incredibly helpful in setting us up with food and refilling my pack. VIP treatment all around. Jill said there was another 100k runner about 30-45 minutes ahead of us so she told Steve and me to get going.

Around the 18 mile mark of the loop (hey, I was already 30 miles into the race!) Steve handed over the guiding reins to Samantha. Like Steve, I met Samantha through the TARC Facebook community (you all rock!) and we did a number of training runs at Hale, including a 5:00AM run in the dark. Samantha is a strong and resilient runner who also keeps me moving forward.

Samantha & I cruising in Powisett Farm. 

I was still smiling and looking forward to sharing the Powisett Farm section with Samantha. At the farm, about one mile from the aid station, the 100k leader cruised passed me. Yup, I had been officially lapped. We ran strong into the aid station which I found out later from Jill created some confusion because folks thought I was in 2^nd place. Nope, but still moving forward.

We left the farm and headed toward the Mark’s Knob section. See above for all the fun had in this section. 

It was close to 6:30PM and dark when we arrived at the Start/Finish. That lap took 9 hours and I had been running for 12:36:13, a new personal record for time on my feet! It was clear that I was not going to make the 18 hour cutoff but there was no doubt I was going to keep going. I may have even joked with Josh that I may have a third lap in me. My feet were starting to get sore with a few hot spots on top of my toes so Jill kindly helped me change my socks and apply a fresh coat of Vaseline (don’t knock it until you try it) on my feet, change my shirt, grabbed more potatoes and a half of rice/bean burrito, and Samantha and I took off.

Heading out for the second lap! 

About a mile in Samantha saw some sort of small four-legged animal but she didn’t know what is was. Maybe the Yeti? Times like this I am thankful I cannot see a thing in the dark! My left knee was throbbing by now and the multiple Ibuprofen wasn’t having an impact. It hurt to bend my knee and killed going downhill so I knew this was going to be a slow lap. My main focus was relentless forward progress and to finish regardless of the time.

A mile or so before Grossman’s we ran past a wedding reception in the middle of the woods. That “whip/nae nae” song played. My 8yo daughter loves this song so I may or may not have busted out a small “stanky leg” in her honor.

I was pleasantly greeted at Grossman’s aid station by my friends Michael and Chris and Michael’s son. Jill mentioned earlier that they were coming out and this helped to keep my spirits high. I downed what may have been the greatest grilled cheese ever, stuffed two more halves in my pocket (dirt was the least of my problems at this point), and said goodbye to everyone around 10:30PM.

Michael, Chris and Harry (nice photobomb!) out cheering us on! Thanks, fellas. 

I think Michelle hopped on the trail with us after Grossman, hiked up Noanet Peak with us, and took over at Noanet aid station. I was getting pretty tired so very thankful for Samantha’s guiding expertise getting me up and down safely.  I had calculated previously that Noanet to the finish was 10.91 miles so I was excited when one of the volunteers said she ran it this morning at it was 10 miles. I had already gained .91 miles! I downed two cups of hot coffee and set out (slowly) to tackle miles 52-62. We left Noanet at about 1:00AM Sunday!

About ½ mile from Noanet I started to shiver. I had a long-sleeve on and gloves but couldn’t get warm. Michelle kindly gave me her sweatshirt, which went to about my bellybutton, but fashion would have to take a back seat to comfort.

My knee was done with the whole running thing so I was power-walking the runnable sections. At some point a runner came flying up behind us and when we pulled over to let them pass it was Steve out to join us for the final stretch! These guides are rockstars, right?

A runner had returned Michelle’s phone and Steve found his so we had mileage info (I could care less about pace).

We came upon our old friend Mark’s Knob and slowly climbed up it. My legs actually had some life in them but my overall body was fading quickly. At some point I figured out I had passed the 55 mile mark which was a new personal high. At this point I was taking anything I could to pick me up.

I don’t know how to describe this section other than pure physical and mental suffering. My eyes were closing mid-step and I couldn’t stop yawning. My quads had some energy in them but both knees were shot so it was a challenge to simply sit down to slide down some of the boulders. At one point my pole got stuck in a mess of underbrush and when I pulled it out I swung my pole in a fit of fury (aka mini-tantrum). Thankfully, I didn’t hit Michelle or Steve. On a couple of occasions I stepped onto a boulder only to rock backwards. I’m pretty sure Steve held me up once or twice.

I was totally honed in on the mileage and I just wanted this to be over-or to be able to take a nap on a rock.  I was minutes away from full on tantrum mode. I convinced myself that Steve and Michelle, also known as the two sighted people in our group, had gotten us lost. I was so pissed I had to count back from 10 multiple times to keep from yelling at them. At one point I asked Steve to run ahead to see how much farther to the top of Mark’s Knob. He (correctly) said no as to help light up the trail. It took us another 30 plus minutes, and yet another sunrise (not as memorable as the first), to circle back to the top of Mark’s Knob. Michelle and Steve did an amazing job tuning me out and focusing on moving forward. We are almost there…

Samantha was waiting for us which afforded me the opportunity to run the final mile or so with all three of my sighted guides. We quickly stopped at the Road Crossing aid station so I could take off the sweatshirt (had to look good for the finish!).

Adios, small sweatshirt! Photo Credit: Dave Metsky

After a brief section around the water we met Jill and were shuffling on the beach heading to the finish. I could hear people cheering and cowbells ringing with 200 feet to go. Michelle was guiding me and we took a right up the rock stairs, onto the paved path, and across the timing mat with Jill, Samantha, and Steve right behind me. 100 kilometers in the books at a time of 25:22:18. The second lap took me approximately 13 hours.

L to R: Jill, Steve, Kyle, Samantha, Michelle aka the best crew & sighted guides ever!

I am disappointed in missing the cutoff but this doesn’t take away from the fact that I ran 62 miles in on very technical terrain. I trained for this opportunity and I achieved it, regardless of my vision or lack thereof. I will officially finish an ultra trail run but for now I am going to enjoy this one.

Quick Hits

·         I didn’t pass one single runner but more importantly every runner who passed me was so supportive and friendly.

·         Enough can’t be said about my three guides and Jill for crewing the entire race. You all have my complete TRUST (even walking over that narrow dam) and RESPECT.

·         TARC volunteers are the unsung heroes of this event.

·         I only rolled my ankle 3-4 times so the last minute, two weeks of PT and strengthening exercises paid off.

·         Carrying trekking poles for 62 miles was tough but it made all the difference. Props to Mike Wardian for being the first one to recommend them to me.

·         At one point I counted how many times Samantha called out “roots” and it was well over 200.

·         I’m always looking for trail sighted guides so holler if you want to run with me (kylerobidoux atyahoo dotcom).

·         If not in Boston but interested in being a sighted guide, check out www.unitedinstride.com

·         Congratulations to everyone who started both the 100k and 100 milers and to all of the finishers.

·         I will expect watermelon at every trail race!

Skiing the Running Trails

I’m new to running trails and so far I love being in the woods and outside of the urban running environment. However, the actual running and racing has been a struggle. As someone who is legally blind, I am having a tough time running confidently on the classic New England style trails that are filled with roots, rocks, and the occasional fallen tree. I find myself walking more than I thought I would/should and my overall pace is slower than even the normal road>trail drop-off. 

By far, trail running is my most challenging athletic endeavor since my sight has decreased.  Additionally, running with a sighted guide on the trails compared to the road/sidewalks is completely different because of the single-track.

I realize that there is something else holding me back. It is a combination of fear of falling and injuring myself (very much looking forward to the upcoming ski race season) as well as failing on my next big trail race. Both are renting space in my head but I am determined to make this happen.

Trail running with Jill at Hale Reservation.

It dawned on me this past weekend while running trails with my wife (thanks for being my sighted guide) that there are so many similarities to trail running and alpine skiing. I remember the first time I skied in the trees at Sunday River off White Cap Mtn and Spruce Peak (these were off-trail stashes of steeps & pow pre-glade era). I was trying to keep up with my then roommate Josh Tostado (now one of the top U.S. endurance mountain bike athletes around) and I continually found myself in the backseat, holding back, nervous about cranking out turns in very tight trees. Similar to skiing the bumps, the more I leaned back the safer I felt but in reality the less control I had. I finally decided to attack the steeps and began to carve out some nice turns in between the trees and loved every minute of it (I still couldn’t keep up with Josh though!). Skiing also taught me, and I’m learning more about it as I get into ski racing and running gates, to keep my head up and always think two to three turns ahead.

My trail running to date has been very similar to that first ski run or the feeling I had when I began skiing bumps and I stared down a mogul-filled trail. Whenever I get nervous running trails, I tend to lean back and not stay over my feet which throws off my balance. Then my confidence drops. Although I can no longer see everything on the trail (I also recognize that these hazards are issues for all runners), I can work with my guides more strategically to ensure that I am planning for two to three steps ahead and not what is immediately in front of me. One ski turn/step at a time.

So regardless of the challenge, here is to plunging forward, attacking whatever is in front of us, and confidently kicking some ass. See you in the woods.

P.S. Thanks to all my running peers who have imparted invaluable trail running and guiding wisdom. YOU ROCK!!!

Falling (Back) In Love with Skiing

Yes, I know this post isn’t about running or local beer. But it is about being active, creating new challenges, and building community. And setting the most ambitious goal to date: making the US Disabled Alpine Ski Team with an even higher goal of skiing in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics.

The same year I was diagnosed with my eye disease (11 yo) my family took up skiing because doctors told my parents I could always ski-with or without sight. We jumped right in and skied almost every weekend and spent a number of holidays and school vacations on the slopes. We were the quintessential “weekend warriors” and I fell in love with skiing so much so that I took a year off of college to live, work, and ski at Sunday River Mountain in Maine for an entire season. I was immediately humbled by the hardcore, mostly local, skiers and began chasing them all over the mountain and sometimes through the woods (pre-Glades). That year I logged 100+ days including 44 straight!

However, as my vision continued to decrease (I currently have about a 5% visual field so similar to looking through a paper towel roll) so did the joy of skiing. I enjoyed the social aspect of skiing with friends and family (especially seeing my 7-yo have so much fun) and being outdoors. But the need to ski slower and constant concern about running into someone or something was always weighing on me.

All this changed in February 2015. I attended a United State Association of BlindAthletes (USABA)  and Vermont AdaptiveSki & Sports weekend for people who are blind/visually impaired (B/VI). I was matched with a trio of talented sighted guides and after the second or third run something started to creep back into me. I could ski hard, make whatever turns I wanted to, all while being safe due to the sighted guides. I left the mountain that day with renewed excitement for the next day.

Three fabulous guides at Vermont Adaptive & PICO Mountain

My family and I skied all over MA and NH the next two months and I visited a handful of adaptive ski programs-all which are AMAZING. I also skied in two Diana Golden Races (thank you George & New England Handicap Sports Association), which is specific for adaptive skiers. I also had the pleasure of meeting and skiing with U.S. Disabled Team members and coaches, including Para-Olympian DanelleUmstead and her husband/guide Rob (really great people) who gave me positive (and valuable constructive) feedback. I definitely caught the ski racing bug and my competitive nature began to kick in.

Diana Golden starting gate at Gunstock Mountain.

So I’m taking the step to compete on a more national level. My plan is to ski in a few national races this coming season (‘15/’16) and the next with a goal to make the U.S Disabled Ski Team the second year then get selected to compete in the 2018 Paralympics! There are many talented skiers who are visually impaired on the national circuit so I have two plus years of hard work. I need to train, learn how to race, and condition my mind and body for a full ski season. I just signed up for a fall 100K ultra-marathon so that should keep my legs in shape! But I’m confident that my strong skiing background, level of fitness due to running marathons, and with more racing experience and coaching I can compete.  I am also VERY thankful that my wife and daughter are supportive of this adventure.

To make this a reality. I need to raise approximately $13,000 before the ‘15/’16 ski season. This will help me to attend the premiere ski racing camp for skiers with disabilities this December in CO, upgrade my equipment from the early 1990s (this includes regulations that require me to have different skis for each type of race I do so I have to buy three pair of skis), travel expenses (flights for me and my sighted racing guide), accommodations (will always try to secure homestays) and other race related expenses. I would also love any leads on a potential sighted guide who can train and travel with me.

Please visit my USABA Athlete Development Account for more information about my fundraising.

Training and setting the bar high is not new to me. For the past five years I’ve been an avid long-distance runner. I’ve completed one ultra-marathon (54.7 miles in 12-hours) and eight marathons (including two Boston Marathons). So committing to and dedicating the necessary training time is something that I thrive on. Although I will continue to run as cross-training and for the enjoyment, I will focus on ski racing and the necessary training and fitness that will allow me to accomplish my goals.

Life is funny in the way it presents different opportunities. I am very thankful for the adaptive ski programs that embrace and empower athletes with different abilities. If for not them, I would not have rekindled my love for skiing. Regardless of my ski racing adventure, I can now truly enjoy skiing again and participate in this fantastic activity with my wife and daughter. One of this season’s highlights was cruising down a trail behind my guides, coming to a quick stop, and turning around and seeing my daughter about 15 yards behind me. She was chasing me and we both were loving it (this will probably last for only two more seasons before she is smoking me down the hill.

There is no better feeling than being able to do a sport you love with the people you love! -