Ok, I've been promising this post for awhile, and here it finally is!
Vicente is my very good friend that I met at Back on My Feet. The first thing many notice about him is that he is visually impaired, but there is so much more to him that I wanted people know about. Vicente allowed me to interview him about his experience with running and his experience with Back on My Feet. Naturally he mentioned a lot about the friendship we've formed over the past year and a half. I promise that these are his words (translated from Spanish to English by me), even though at some points it will definitely seem like he is being waaaaaay too complimentary of me and I put words in his mouth!! Enjoy :)
Cynthia: Vicente, can you share a bit about how you got to Chicago?
Vicente: I was born in Mexico, but I saw that it wasn’t the best situation for me. I wanted to find a better life, I never found peace with myself while I was there. So I came to the US, first to California, later to Michigan, and finally here in Chicago.
C: So how did you find out about Back on My Feet?
V: They [Back on My Feet] came [to San Jose Obrero] and
I asked them about the program. It motivated me a lot. I asked if someone like
me could do it, and they said yes, and they believed in me that I could. So I
signed up. Everyone at the shelter laughed at me, saying that I couldn't run. But Carli believed in me and said they'd find a way to help me run. I wanted to run, and Back on My Feet gave me
that opportunity. But you came to the group, and you
motivated me to continue.
C: What made you want to run?
V: Since I was
very young, about 5 years old, I always wanted to run. I became aware that it was
something I was interested in. I would run with my friends, and it felt great.
20 years ago when I was younger, I was very active. In Mexico I climbed trees, I ran around in fields because I knew there wouldn’t be any obstacles. Joining Back on My Feet, it gave me that sense of freedom again.
C: I'd love to hear what your thoughts were when you and I first started running together!
V: The first
time I saw you in the shelter, I was in a bad mood. I thought "Who is this woman here who is so different from the others? Why is she so positive?" You were the only one who was showing a lot of
positivity in your life and in what you were doing. BOMF made a great decision
in getting you on board as a volunteer. Without BOMF we wouldn’t have met, and I'll never be able to repay them for that.
C: Aw! I didn't know you thought all of that! BOMF has a lot of wonderful volunteers.
When we first started running together, I was not used to guide running and it made me nervous to have that responsibility. But you also never seemed nervous when I was guiding you! In fact, you seemed to be more concerned that I was going to fall and not that you'd fall!
V: Well of
course! I was scared if you'd fall and then you couldn’t run, then I wouldn't be able to run! When we run, we run
united. Also, as soon as I ran with you, I felt very safe with you.
C: Well I'm glad you felt that way! Sometimes when we're running it feels like I'm not actually guiding you, because you tend to run slightly ahead of me. Mostly I'm just trying to move you out of the way of any big potholes, or slow you down to a more reasonable pace, but otherwise you're doing it all on your own.
Vicente, can you share some of your favorite memories at Back on My Feet so far?
V: The most beautiful feeling was when I came to the [half marathon] finish line, and you congratulated
me, and gave me a hug. I felt important to someone for the first time in my life. It made me very happy because I had someone who supported me and believed in
me.
C: Of course I do! And I will keep supporting you in your marathon. And you have been so supportive for me also as I've been preparing for my marathon. I will be just as happy when I see you after the race on Sunday.
V: I'm telling you, it gets me very excited that you meet your goals. When you were in the triathlon earlier this year, I was happy to be able to talk to you the day before. When we got off the phone, I was jumping with excitement for you. The other guys at the bar I was at asked me what was wrong with me, and I had to explain why I was proud of you.
C: Thank you Vicente!!! You know that you have been a big inspiration and a big reason that I'm running this marathon. Any other memories from BOMF you want to share?
V: Hmm, do you remember that one time we ran in the pouring, cold rain?
C: Oh my gosh, yes. That was literally the most painful run I've ever done in my life. It was freezing cold and the rain was just pelting us. I remember you were a gentleman and kept asking me if I wanted to turn around. And I said "No!! We're going to suffer through this together!!"
V: I remember you asked me, "Do you want to do the 3 mile loop or 5 mile loop?"And I chose the 5 mile loop, but later regretted it!
C: (laughs) But we did it! We did it then came back soaking wet for the Thanksgiving dinner. Great memories!
Vicente, can you share what running has taught you?
V: I love running in the morning, I feel great and comfortable when I do. When I run in the morning, I have a clear mind for the rest of the day. I've never
thought before that in order to run, you need to have a positive attitude. And if you don’t have it,
you can't do it. If you're going to run with a bad mood you might as well not do it. Also, if you have positive thoughts, you will always reach the finish line. I confess sometimes it's not
easy, but you've helped me to be a better person in this aspect. I think the other thing I've learned is "Para atras ni para coger impulso" (never go backwards, not even to gain momentum). In a race or in anything you do in life, you must keep going forward.
C: That's some great advice! I know sometimes I've pushed you hard during our runs, but you know it's all been out of good intention and because I want you to reach your goals. I know there are some times it's easy to say "my leg hurts" or "I don't think I can make it" but I hope you know I will never let you quit a race :)
V: I know. You’ve helped
me to get rid of bad habits. I was sometimes rude, I said some things that were
maybe hurtful people, you’ve taught me that I shouldn't be that way, that I should
be more polite. I value that so much about you, and I don’t know how you’ve put
up with me. I know I've caused you some discomfort. All you’ve given me is your
attention and your support. No one has ever told me the things that you
did. We have a great friendship. I never thought I'd meet someone like you!
C: (Clearly beginning to hold back tears) We do have a great friendship Vicente!! I know that we are close enough that if I ever felt uncomfortable with things you said, I could let you know. I am happy that I was able to bring enough positivity into your runs as you have for me.
V: How long did you run at BOMF before we met? Wasn't it three weeks?
C: Yeah that sounds right! I remember I showed up to BOMF ready to run miles upon miles, only to see that everyone there was a beginner runner and a majority of people only walked or could only finish one mile.
V: Oh, like me (laughs)
C: (laughs) Hahah yes! But it taught me to put others' goals ahead of my own. When I went to BOMF, it was about partnering with someone at the shelter that day and helping them meet their goal, and not worrying about my personal goals. One day the goal would be to walk one mile with a member. Another day it'd be to run several miles. I think it humbled me and made me a better person to truly learn to volunteer at BOMF.
V: I'll never
forget one morning, I was sad because I ended things with my girlfriend. I saw you and you gave
me a smile and it was the best gift. It made me think, “Not everyone hates me! She
just smiled at me!” It gave me the strength to run. I left the run that day and I was in a better mood.
C: I never heard that story Vicente! Thank you for sharing. Can you talk a little more about the help that BOMF has provided to you and other members?
V: I only
wanted them to show me how to run. And I got that! I have to thank them, I can
never be thankful enough, they helped me do what I've wanted to do since I was
little. There are people who they helped get apartments, helped get them back on my feet,
they helped get jobs, and I'm happy for them. I didn’t think I needed their resources, but today I do have my own apartment and my own job.
C: Do you think that running somehow helped you gain all of that?
V: I think so. When
I started running, I thought, "Okay, finally I'm a runner, which is hard for a blind guy", so I knew I overcame a big obstacle. It gave me the strength and confidence to leave the shelter and find a better
life. I got stuck in a miserable life, I was able to decide that I wanted to
leave and get a better style of life.
C: What else have you learned in this experience so far?
V: I
learned a lot about myself. I've grown as a person. Meeting you motivated me to
be a better person. You’ve been a role model for me, I see how noble you are
and I want to be like you. I've left my bad habits, I don’t have the same bad
mood. I've learned to respect people more. You taught me not
to put myself at the same level as the people who got to me. I still have
bitterness, from how people have treated me in the past. I reacted the way I did
because I didn’t know what else to do. I had a
sad life, with lots of obstacles. I have to put a lot of effort to forget
things in the past and move past them. Without you I wouldn’t have changed. God
put you in my life, to make me reflect. You found me, but it was for the best.
C: (No longer withholding tears). Vicente!!! I am glad we found each other as well. And I'm very excited for you to continue with your running goals. What are some of those goals you have, both running and otherwise?
V: I have a few goals:
- Run the Chicago
Marathon next year
- Talk to
reporters while I'm training to show that disabled people can do it. I want to motivate them. I want to be an example for people that are disabled, to show them that we
still able, and I want to represent them. All of us who are blind still have value.
- Maybe one day hold a full race or marathon only for blind people!
- I want to
get more involved with BOMF, and get more people involved, and bring more volunteers to the organization
C: Well I can't wait to help you with your goals!! And I especially can't wait to help you finish your marathon next year!
V: Thanks! And I will be there for you on Sunday.
I may have just signed myself up for the 2019 Chicago Marathon....
3 DAYS TIL MARATHON DAY!
I'm off now for a final shake out run with Vicente, plus packet pick up. After that I am literally just resting at home for the rest of the day, watching marathon documentaries, reading inspirational quotes, probably letting the anxiety build up in my apartment....haha....
