Running Guide

One of the most rewarding opportunities I've had was to serve as a running guide for Achilles International.

The first time I'd heard of the concept of guide running was from Peter Sagal in a podcast episode from The Moth called "Keep Going" in which he describes running the Boston Marathon with a visually impaired runner in 2013 with the Team with a Vision:

"running is something you do for yourself. . . . It's good for you, and really that's about it, right? It's kind of solipsistic. I have run thousands of miles, and yet I am still right here. So I was excited to try to run a few miles, 26 in fact, for somebody else."

This notion really resonated with me, as I'd been feeling similarly in regard to the individualistic nature of running. So after some Google searches, I was connected to Achilles International and became a guide for a woman who had recently moved to Boston. She quickly became one of my closest friends.

We ran a half marathon, a few 5Ks, and the Providence Marathon together.

The story came full circle when Peter Sagal offered to guide my friend in a marathon, but she turned him down to finish the journey together. I was truly honored.

Running the Providence Marathon

The finish line!

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