Marla Runyan is well-known for overcoming obstacles to accomplish her dreams. Legally blind since the age of 9, Runyan, 38, inspired athletes of all abilities when she became the first Paralympian to ever compete in the Olympic Games. Despite her success with distance running, Runyan began her track career in the high jump at San Diego State University. She then progressed to the heptathlon, in which she competed at the 1996 Olympic Trials. After her 800-meter time of 2:04.7 in the heptathlon, she realized her talent for mid-distance running. Runyan left California for Eugene, Oregon, to pursue her next goal of making the 2000 U.S. Olympic team. Runyan raced in the 1500-meter run at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and the 5000-meter run at the Athens 2004 Olympics. In 2002, Runyan set an American Record in the Indoor 5000 meters with a time of 15:07.43, and was the top American at the New York City Marathon with a debut time of 2:27:10. Recently in 2006, she qualified for the 2008 U.S. Women’s Olympic Trials Marathon by running 2:32:12 at the Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis. Since the Twin Cities Marathon, Runyan has not competed due to an injury. She had a surgical procedure on May 14 to repair a lumbar disc tear in her back that had been causing tension and external rotation in her leg since around 2000. “It started as an IT band syndrome,” she said. “Some of the tension never went away.” The intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) required complete rest for several weeks in order for the disc to heal. It was a difficult time for Runyan, who has a 2-year-old daughter, Anna Lee. “I wasn’t even supposed to pick up my daughter," Runyan described. “Having my daughter made it that much harder.” Unfortunately, Runyan said the procedure did not work. Soon after she began running again, the pain returned. A recent x-ray showed that her tibia has rotated off the femur. She currently works with her chiropractor to do specific muscle exercises to treat the injury, and has been running for the past seven weeks. “I’ve had some good days and I’ve had some setbacks,” Runyan said. “My goal is to train consistently. I think we’ll get there.” Runyan is coached by her husband, Matt Lonergan. She explained that they mostly agree with each other about her training. She sees it as collaboration more than a coach-athlete relationship. “He sees how the training affects me,” she said. A bigger challenge for the couple, other than managing Runyan’s running career, is raising their child at the same time. Running is known as an individual, sometimes selfish, sport. Since the birth of her daughter, Runyan said her priorities have changed. She realized she could not do everything on her own. “There’s no question in my mind that when you become a parent, you need help,” she said. “Do not be afraid to ask for help.” In addition to running, a lot of Runyan’s time is now spent with Anna. Although motherhood is a full-time job, she said enjoys it. One advantage is that she does not have time to over-train. Runyan takes Anna to swimming and gymnastics lessons, as well as other activities and playdates. Runyan’s gym has a drop-in childcare center that allows her free time to train. She highly recommends that new parents join a gym that provides childcare. It’s not only helpful to the parents, but also gives children a chance to socialize and develop routines. “When I drop her off, I feel like I can breathe,” Runyan said. Runyan advised that parents create a support system of family, friends and babysitters in order to have time for their own activities and to rest. “Making time for yourself is so important for a parent. It will make you feel better about yourself and have more energy,” Runyan explained. “I choose that time for running.” For more information and updates on Marla Runyan, visit her Web site at http://www.marlarunyan.com/ Photo from marlarunyan.com