26.2 miles. A marathon is a lot to ask.
Now, imagine doing it in a wheelchair. With impaired vision.
We caught up with a unique athlete training for the New York City Marathon in this week’s ‘Western Washington Gets Real’.
“My condition’s getting worse, but when I play sports, I don’t have that feeling.”
Blind in one eye, Amy Wiegand has also been diagnosed with paralysis. She’s slowly losing feeling in her legs, too.
But when a chance to compete in the upcoming New York City Marathon, a lifelong goal, popped up in a company newsletter, she raced toward the opportunity.
“So, kind of like a lottery system,” she explained. “You put your name in the hat and see what happens.
“And, I was selected out of thousands of people…before I’d even sat in a racing wheelchair.”
You heard that right! A daunting ask. Even for the accomplished athlete who discovered sled hockey a couple of years ago.
“It was probably the scariest day I’ve ever had,” she recounted.
“I got myself there, got on the ice. And it was the first time since becoming disabled that I did not feel like it was holding me back.”
But, when it comes to a marathon, for Amy, it’s not as simple as lacing ‘em up.
“You have to find a place that has the right equipment for you to borrow,” she said.
“And, in Washington, there’s only one program that you can do.”
Enter local non-profits ‘Seattle’ and ‘Rainier Adaptive Sports’, both of which help provide access.
“They’re able to offer sports for a cost that’s super affordable,” Amy beams.
“Between free and maybe $200 a season…which you can’t even buy any of the equipment for $200.”
And chairs vary in cost.
“Just a basic starting racing wheelchair is between $5,000 and $8,000,” according to Amy.
“Going all the way up to $15 or $20,000 for the more elite athletes,” she said.
As a result, she set up a GoFundMe to help cover expenses.
She’s also looking for a ‘Guide Runner’ to join her in New York. But let’s be clear: this is Amy’s race.
“No one can touch your chair,” Amy reiterates.
“They actually inspect the chair to make sure there’s no motors or what not. So, you have to do it with no help.”
The marathon is coming up on November 1st. Amy’s goal is to finish. Hopefully, in about five hours.
As for the takeaway?
“What has all of this taught you about yourself?” I wondered,
“To take the chance and try something scary,” Amy chimed. “It can change your life if you let it.
“But, you have to try it first. And, just go for it.”
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