Kyle Robidoux on Running, Skiing, & Being Legally Blind - a podcast by BLISTER

Kyle Robidoux is a passionate runner and skier and beer enthusiast. He has run 25 marathons and ultra marathons, including three 100-mile races, and the Boston Marathon six times. He also happens to be legally blind.

Like the vast majority of us, Kyle Robidoux grew up loving sports and the outdoors. But at the age of 11, Kyle was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease, and he was declared legally blind at the age of 19.

So Kyle and I talk about his background, his anger about his receding vision and what he did about it; how he got into running and trail running, his efforts to create more inclusive trail races; his advice to all of us about how to deal with loss of any kind; and what specific things we all can do to be better to and more supportive of everyone dealing with disabilities. (And we talk about beer.)

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Kyle’s work with the Massachusetts Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (2:30)
• Growing up & playing sports (3:37)
• Being diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (5:20)
• The changing condition of Kyle’s vision (6:18)
• On losing sight immediately vs. progressively (8:54)
• Facing feelings of frustration & shame (14:40)
• How Kyle got into running (28:24)
• Proudest accomplishments? (32:04)
• From road running to trail running (38:51)
• Kyle’s first 100-mile trail run (34:41)
• Running Western States with Scott Jurek (44:47)
• What makes for a great sighted guide? (48:11)
• Future plans and aspirations? (49:48)
• How can ski areas improve adaptive skiing? (52:53)
• Kyle’s takeaway message for each of us (1:03:34)

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