Kyle Robidoux: The Running Community Is More than Just Running - R4R 271

Kyle Robidoux was ready to run the Boston Marathon this year, with Tina as his guide, until fate intervened in the form of a stress fracture.  Any runner would be gutted to have to DNS, and Kyle is no exception.  However, he's well versed in overcoming adversity and tough situations. When he was eleven, he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a degenerative eye disease that can lead to blindness, and he was declared legally blind at nineteen.  Today he shares the story of his journey, how he ensures that he isn’t defined by the boundaries that others place on him, and a few beer recommendations. “I had high cholesterol, high blood pressure in my early 30s and I knew I needed a lifestyle change.”  In 2010 Kyle found that he got tired playing with his two year old daughter; he got tired bending over to tie his shoelaces, for that matter.  He was overweight, his biomarkers were bad, and he knew he had to improve his health. He started walking, then running, gradually increasing the time he ran.  He didn’t have a goal in mind, other than trying to run a few minutes longer every week.   “When I hit two hours I said, ‘wow, when am I ever going to be able to run two hours again? I should sign up for a race.’  And that was when I signed up for my first half marathon.”  One day, his intended 90 minute run extended to an hour and 45 minutes. He felt great, so he kept going, and when he hit two hours, he realized he was ready for a half marathon. Since then, he’s  completed over 25 marathons and ultras, including five 100 milers and the grueling six-day, 120 mile Transrockies Run. Getting to that point wasn’t easy, not only in the sense of the physical training, but coming to terms with the progressive loss of his eyesight. “I felt angry because all these things were being taken away from me, and what I realized at the end was I was giving up on all those things that I loved and I just needed to adapt and change things up a little bit in order to continue doing them.” When Kyle was diagnosed with RP, doctors said that he would be totally blind by college.  He and his parents talked about some aspects of the prognosis, but didn’t address the emotional impact of vision loss.  And for a time, they didn’t have to.  Kyle was declared legally blind at 19, but it wasn’t until his late twenties, he says, that “it really started taking things away from me that I loved, like skiing independently and playing recreational baseball and pick up leagues for baseball and softball. And I was just becoming really bitter and angry.”   At the urging of his then girlfriend, now his wife, he started seeing a therapist.  It was hard for him at first, but ultimately it helped him work through the loss and anger, and gave him tools to cope with his diminishing eyesight.  Now he encourages anyone struggling emotionally to at least give therapy a try.  As he says, “you don’t have to commit 100%, but  if folks go once or twice, I feel like you start to see the benefits really quickly, even if it's just once a week for an hour.  I think there's tremendous value in that and I certainly feel like if I would have started it earlier, it would have been much more beneficial to my overall well being, and quite possibly my physiological and physical health, in addition to my mental health.”  “And then I asked, I'm like, ‘well, you know because I am an idiot and have an ego sometimes, what happens if I do run Boston?” The coping mechanisms that he’s learned through therapy are helping Kyle now, as he processes not being able to run the Boston Marathon.  He’s run it the past eight or nine years, and was ready to continue that streak this year, with Tina as his guide.  But shortly before race day he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot, and reluctantly accepted that it would be best not to run.  He could have done it, albeit painfully, but it would have resulted in having to take up to four months off from running, rather than 3 - 8 weeks.  The tradeoff, he concluded, wasn’t worth it. Since he’s usually running Boston, he’s only spectated there once, so this year, he says, “I'm gearing myself up to get really excited to cheer.”  Oh, and also to get together with friends to have a few beers and possibly fill squirt guns with Fireball to shoot at people as they walk by.  Basically, he says, “I'm hoping to truly embrace the spectator side of what is so special about the Boston marathon.” “I would just say that anyone and everyone can be a guide.” Kyle runs accompanied by a guide.  Guides are needed for runners of all abilities, and there’s training and support available for anyone who would like to be one.  United in Stride can help you locate runners who are visually impaired in your community and connect with them.  Achilles International has a list of their chapters around the country.  Kyle strongly believes that “with a little bit of training and support and strong communication everyone can be a sighted guide.” “I tell folks also that part of being a sighted guide, it's great because you're volunteering while doing something you'd already be doing if you're an active runner, right?” Resources: Kyle's website Kyle's Instagram Kyle's Twitter United in Stride Running for Real podcast with Rich Hunter, founder of United in Stride Achilles International Thank you to goodr, Athletic Greens, and Beam for sponsoring this episode. I have been a fan of goodr for YEARS and I literally have their sunglasses all over my house. I recently had an episode with co-founder Stephen Lease where he tells the story behind his company and I appreciate him being honest with me about it. The design behind these sunglasses really takes into consideration look and comfort. They are 100% carbon neutral and a part of 1% for the Planet.   Go here and use the code TINA15 for 15% off your order. Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It’s simple to make and it tastes good! Go here to get a FREE year’s supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription. A new product that I’ve been trying out is Beam; they help athletes with balance, performance, and recovery. I’ve used “elevate energy” and “elevate balance” and the flavors were great. I felt that the hydrating electrolyte energy powder, formulated with beetroot, green coffee bean, and citrulline, really helped me and I know it will help you too. Go here and use code TINA for 15 % off your order or 20% off a subscription. Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player. Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here. "Thank you" to Kyle.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.