“iRun because my soul moves to its own beat and I have to try to keep up; iRun because running loves me back, unconditionally and without reserve.” ~Rhonda-Marie Avery
If you’ve been with iRunNation for a while, Rhonda-Marie Avery might seem a little familiar – she was one of the original contestants of iRun’s Running Blog Idol back in 2009. Now you can find her RAMblings over at sprintingspring.blogspot.ca, where the Registered Massage Therapist from Barrie, ON writes about being a legally blind athlete and mother of three. In her own words, “My blog is about my personal quest. To be biggest verb in my own life. It’s about the challenges of being a disabled athlete and my everyday attempts to overcome them. It’s about parenting and my love for creating all things, especially food.”
We caught up with Rhonda-Marie for a cozy Q&A.
Rhonda-Marie Avery and her daughter Terese at the Dirty Girls 48-hour race, August 2013.
Major accomplishments in 2013?
Not finishing but surviving the Boston Marathon, a 13.5-kilometre tethered open water swim, a 500-kilometre tandem bike tour, a 100-mile run and a 50-mile run. I also think I made a killer apple crisp one quiet Saturday afternoon.
Goals for 2014?
Run the Bruce Trail end to end 885km in 20 days. A 24hr tandem bike race, a 10-mile swim, and a return to the Boston Marathon. I’m also planning to attempt a strawberry rhubarb pie and possibly have a nap in November. The Bruce trail adventure is key though, unveiling an awareness campaign for disabled athletes as time progresses. I think it’s safe to divulge that there will be a documentary crew following me.
Best part about being a Registered Massage Therapist?
I am granted a gift. Every day I get the opportunity to help people on their road to healing. I get to recreate a sense of self awareness that our busy lives often don’t include.
Gear you can’t live without as an ultrarunner?
I am Salomon-sponsored athlete. I love the kindness and belief the Toronto store has bestowed on me. The gear I could not, as an ultrarunner, run without, would have to be my shoes. I know there is such a thing as barefoot running, but that’s not me. I run into and trip over enough as it is without putting my poor toes in danger. I love my hydration pack and my S-lab running skort. Compression I never knew I needed.
Single thing about running an ultra that you wish you’d known in advance?
You’re gonna have to pee on the trail.
What’s your superpower?
Others might suggest I’m tenacious. I think I’m stubborn. Yeah… Stubbornness. And the gift to know that with every low there is a high.
Favs from your current running-playlist?
Eek these are hard questions! Brown-Eyed Girl, Beautiful Day, Way to Wonder, and Started from the Bottom.
Check out RAMblings, and follow Rhonda-Marie on Twitter!
