Opinion – Haja Vista: Volunteer guides and people with disabilities go from walking to marathon in SP

I wouldn’t get out of bed and get out of my pajamas until seven in the morning on this frigid Sunday if someone was waiting.

I still know little about the girl who drives up to my door as soon as I finish breakfast. It was just a few voicemails to exchange addresses and decide if we would meet at a subway station or if she would pick me up at home.

I accepted the ride. Any energy that could be saved for what would come later was important. When someone leaves the covers early just so you can run in Ibirapuera Park on a cold day, you feel obliged to put your laziness aside and deliver at least a good five kilometers of running, don’t you?

This year I met Achilles International Brazil, an NGO that supports athletes with disabilities to practice street running and walking.

The main support is offered by volunteer guides who, before being qualified, undergo orientation and follow a series of training sessions led by more experienced guides.

But what I really know is the experience of people with disabilities who run or walk, who get the title of athletes in the group. Just inform in the middle of the week in which park in São Paulo you want to run, if you prefer Saturday or Sunday, at what time. It also informs you of the expected speed and mileage.

On Friday, there is a list of athletes with disabilities and who will be paired with each one, based on the performance of those who signed up to train for the week. No bureaucracy, hassle or boredom. In fact, sometimes up to three or four guides come to me in a single day. That is, they match much better than Tinder.

In the race, guide and visually impaired athlete hold a string that connects them at all times. Through her, without needing anyone to say anything, much of the information is transmitted so that the duo can go safely. When there’s more than one person leading, whoever isn’t leading me usually helps clear a path or protects one of my sides. The guides are also oriented to describe scenarios and what else is interesting to see along the way.

As I said at the beginning, having someone who leaves the house to run next door makes us want to show service, hold on a little longer so as not to disappoint. But actually, you don’t have to. In the group is from blind people who run marathons to those who are already very happy with a walk. One of the things that guides talk about most is that we athletes set the pace.

In addition to training, athletes and guides also participate in street events together. I haven’t been to any of them yet, but I think it’s a great opportunity to meet the other athletes who are part of the group and try new routes.

I’ve wanted to run in parks for a few years now, but it’s always been hard to find someone willing and available to stick to a training routine. That’s why I like to try to investigate with the guides what motivates them to do so much for people that, when they arrive at the organization, they don’t even know about it.

It’s one of those things that seems simple but can be hard to put into the exact words. The answers range from the simple “I saw someone driving and I thought it was cool” to the most transcendent, dealing with the need to do good.

I did my interview today with Mariana, my guide for this Sunday. I heard from her that, after she started running with blind people, there wasn’t much point in participating in a race if it wasn’t to take someone. And that she wouldn’t get out of bed either if I wasn’t there to run with her.

May we always find people who give meaning to get up early and face the everyday races.