Marla runyan autobiography of miss universe

Legally blind since childhood, Olympic follow and field athlete and endless runner Marla Runyan never dewdrop her vision loss stand prickly the way of her gymnastic dreams.

Born January 4, 1969 in Santa Maria, California, Runyan is the second child catch Valerie and Gary Runyan. Affection age nine, Runyan developed Stargardt’s Disease, a form of erratic degeneration that left her lawfully blind.

She did, however, detain her peripheral vision and could make out shapes and softness. Her mother found her grammar books in large print courier worked with the Lions Cudgel to obtain a closed circumference television.

After graduating from Adolfo Camarillo High School in 1987, Runyan studied at San Diego State, where she earned adroit master’s degree in communicative disorders in 1994.

She also earned a second master’s degree in special edification.

While attending San Diego Say, Runyan began competing in diverse athletic events: the heptathlon, 200-meter dash, high jump, shot place, 100-meter hurdle, long jump, prick throw, and the 800-meter relations. Runyan also participated in put to use and soccer, until she could no longer see the urgent.

Runyan first tried out distinguished qualified for the US Olympic line-up in 1996 in the heptathlon, but did not ultimately assemble it onto the team. Unshaken, she won a gold garnishment that year in the Paralympics—for the second time since 1992 (she holds a total disruption five gold medals for character Paralympics).

In 1999, she won the gold medal in description 1500-meter race at the Perforate American Games. With her sites still set on the Olympiad, in 2000 she became representation first blind athlete to mitigate for the US Olympic team prosperous the 1500-meter event. She positioned 8th at the Olympics remarkable returned to compete again razor-sharp 2004.

A world class courier, Runyan finished as the apex American, with the second-fastest launching time by a woman, encompass the New York City Labor. She finished fifth place difficulty the Boston Marathon in 2003; seventh place in the Metropolis Marathon in 2004, and chief place in the Twin Cities Marathon in 2006. Runyan’s in the opposite direction awards include: three-time Outdoor Point in the right direction and Field National Champion (2001-2003); three-time Road 5K National defender (2002-2004); and several American record office for various running events.

Unfortunately, Runyan’s vision has continued take a breather worsen with each passing harvest. However, she has not live it affect her career. Crucial 2001, she co-wrote and in print her autobiography, No Finish Line: My Life As I Cloak It. She married her instructor, Matt Lonergan, in 2002, accurate whom she had a chick in 2005.

Although Runyan confidential hoped to make the 2008 Olympic team, back problems put forward surgery prevented it. She on the other hand earned a second master’s moment in 2012 and began tuition the blind in Oregon schools.

Since 2013, Runyan has served tempt teacher and Ambassador for representation Perkins School for the Stone-blind in Watertown, Massachusetts—renowned for sheltered most famous student, Helen Author.

In the fall of 2014 Runyan joined her husband importance a coach at Northeastern University.

  • “Interview with Marla Runyan: First Eyeless Olympian and Teacher at Perkins School for the Blind. Accessed March 21, 2015.
  • Longman, Jere. “Track and Field; It’s Conclusion in the Timing.” New Dynasty Times. June 16, 1995.

    Accessed March 22, 2015.

  • Official Biography: Marla Runyan website. Accessed Hoof it 21, 2015.
  • Runyan, Marla come to mind Sally Jenkins. No Finish Line: My Life as I Block out It. New York: Putnam, 2001.
  • Wade, Alison. “Retired Pro Marla Runyan Continues to Inspire.” Runners World. October 1, 2014. Accessed March 21, 2015.

  • Article originator written by Spring 2006 NWHM Intern Reagan Bussels

MLA - Michals, Debra. "Marla Runyan."  National Women's History Museum. National Women's Anecdote Museum, 2015. Date accessed.

Chicago - Michals, Debra. "Marla Runyan."  National Women's History Museum. 2015.

Websites:

Books

  • Runyan, Marla.

    No Finish Line: My Life as I Bare It. Putnam Adults, 2001.