Guide

the other runner

This year my son and I discovered the Paralympics. By discovered, I mean it’s been there for years, but this is the first year we actively watched.

One afternoon, YouTube suggested the 5000m run for T11 athletes and we clicked the bait. I’ve been a runner for over half my life and I’m ashamed to say I never thought about how athletes with visual impairment competed. Glued to the screen, we watched a beautiful partnership unfold between the athlete and guide runner. One with sight, one without.

According to the International Paralympic Committee, “In track events, Para athletes with vision impairment are classified as either T11, T12 or T13. Athletes in the T11 class use blindfolds and compete with a guide-runner…both the athlete and the guide receive medals on the podium.”

One athlete puts complete faith in the other. The guide cannot pull or lead, his or her role is to talk through the race, filling in details and matching stride perfectly. The T11 athlete barrels forward, trusting.

Brazilian Julio Cesar Agripino Dos Santos smashed the world record, and tears sprung to my eyes as he accepted the gold. His guide whispered almost unnoticeably when it was time for Julio to duck his head to receive the medal, proud smile playing across his lips as he spoke. This guide, who ran countless miles with him and had probably seen him on his worst days, the ones where he was injured or wanted to quit. What were their conversations when a race did not go their way or Dos Santos cursed his lack of sight? All of those dark moments led to this bright one.

Western culture is in an era of distinct individualism, yet I believe the greatest moments of success are found when we tether ourselves to others in total faith and match stride, each laying something down for the sake of the other.

I wonder, am I running with the patience and humility of a guide? As I run alongside my children, do I fiercely whisper encouragement and counsel? Or, am I pulling at the tether, trying to make it my race?

After lifting his medal high, Dos Santos reached out his other arm to pull his guide into the moment. Dos Santos is an incredible athlete whose greatness was found in accepting the support of another. Instead of boasting or ignoring this fact, he pulled his friend into the glory.

When I reach success through the help of another, do I acknowledge them?

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13. Only one man was perfectly capable and yet willingly tethered himself to us, giving all, forgiving us from every failure. We have only to let go and give him the credit.

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” John 15:26

Photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash