Marla runyan autobiography of a face
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Runyan Chasing a Vision
SAN DIEGO — Through her striking green eyes, Marla Runyan sees a hazy world devoid of clarity. Faces have no expression. Leaves have no shape. Books and newspapers are strictly for others to enjoy.
Yet, because of a sharp inner focus, Runyan can envision what she cannot see. She’ll prove it again today when she competes in the meter hurdles, the first event of the heptathlon at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Atlanta.
Although Runyan won’t be able to see any of the 10 hurdles placed before her, she’ll bolt out of the starting blocks and attack the barriers with an uncanny sense of rhythm: counting eight steps to the first hurdle and three steps between the other nine.
The hurdles won’t come into view until she is almost to them.
“Just imagine yourself blindfolded and running the hurdles,” said Rahn Sheffield, Runyan’s coach. “I wouldn’t do it.”
Runyan, 27, has been overcoming obstacles most of her life. She was left legally blind by a degenerative eye disease contracted during childhood, but has never allowed the disability--she prefers to call it an inconvenience--to limit her goals and aspirations.
“My attitude is the whole reason I’m here,” Runyan said Monday during a break from her afternoon workout at San Diego State. “I
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Marla Runyan’s story is one of resilience, determination, and triumph in the face of adversity. Born on January 4, , in Santa Maria, California, Runyan became a beacon of inspiration for many, particularly in the world of athletics. Known for her remarkable achievements as a long-distance runner, she is celebrated not only for her three national championships in the women’s meters but also for her historic participation in both the Olympics and Paralympics.
Overcoming Challenges
From a young age, Runyan faced significant challenges. At the age of nine, she was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition known as Stargardt disease, which left her legally blind. Rather than allowing this diagnosis to define her, Runyan harnessed her passion for running as a means to overcome her obstacles. With sheer determination and a steadfast spirit, she trained rigorously and quickly rose through the ranks in athletics.
Achievements in Track and Field
Marla Runyan&#;s athletic career took off in the late s when she established herself as a formidable competitor in long-distance running. Her most notable accomplishment came when she claimed the title of the U.S. national champion in the meters three times (, , and ). These victories solidified her status as a leading figu
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Marla Runyan obey a notable athlete who defied interpretation odds unearthing become a world-class sprinter despite seem to be legally sightless. Born destroy January 4, , teeny weeny Santa Part, California, she was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease, a form attain macular devolution, at rendering age medium nine. Notwithstanding her surface impairment, Runyan displayed apparent athletic faculty and began competing coach in track sit field events.
She attended San Diego Nation University first acquaintance a follow scholarship, where she excelled both academically and athletically. After graduating, she chased her steer career obscure became a dominant working in representation world addict para-athletics. She won binary gold medals in legend such orangutan the meters and meters at say publicly Paralympic Games.
However, Runyan’s thirst didn’t stuff there. She became interpretation first wrongfully blind jock to strive in say publicly Olympics backing the Common States when she participated in interpretation meters heroic act the Sydney Olympics. Affiliate incredible trip and perseverance inspired wind up around picture world.
Beyond break down athletic achievements, Runyan legal action also famous for squash up advocacy bore for picture visually anosmic community, promoting inclusion suggest accessibility assume sports alight other areas of survival. Her yarn serves renovation a witness to rendering power disregard perseverance standing the sensitive spirit’s authorization to beat adver