Resilience and Key Takeaways for Runners
Welcome to our “Community Profiles” series, where we spotlight inspiring members of the blind and low vision community. Today, we feature Jared Broughton, a visually impaired runner whose journey at the Boston Marathon offers powerful lessons in resilience and smart training for everyone.
The Boston Marathon holds a unique place in the running world, known for challenging runners both physically and mentally. We were proud to see Team With A Vision from MABVI (Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired) participate, an organization Aira has supported, including featuring them on our Access Matters podcast.
Jared, a member of the MABVI team with low vision since birth, lives in Ottawa and works for the Canadian government. He recently shared his compelling story of navigating and conquering the Boston course, highlighting a perspective often overlooked.
“I feel that a lot of people don’t, at least the fully sighted, just the regular sighted population, don’t realize how much energy and mental concentration it takes for people that have low vision to navigate the roads, regardless even if you’re guided or not,” Jared notes.
Blind and low vision runners often use guides, either via a tether or by running alongside them. Jared prefers running beside a guide with minimal physical connection, though he acknowledges the usefulness of tether systems. This partnership requires careful coordination, especially when moving through crowded areas during a race.
The Sting of Disappointment: Boston 2024
Jared’s first Boston Marathon experience in 2024 was a tough one. “People hyped it up for me last year,” he recalls, “So I was trying to go for a PB (Personal Best). It didn’t work out very well. I bonked. I got destroyed. I felt almost debilitated. It almost scared me away from Boston.”
A combination of factors contributed to the challenging race: heat, humidity, and technical issues. “My watch screwed up at the start of the race,” he explains. “It started updating… And so I lost the first kilometer.” The infamous Boston course also proved more demanding than anticipated. “I did not realize how steep the hills were,” he admits.
The outcome was disheartening. “It was the slowest marathon I ever did,” he states. “So that is why Boston really put a bitter taste in my mouth. And it was a very humbling experience, right? When you go from your PB to literally your slowest race out of seven marathons, it really affects you, like mentally at least.”
The Road to Redemption: Boston 2025
Despite the significant setback, encouragement from his team and a reflective perspective on life’s opportunities motivated Jared to return for 2025. “Because I qualified, and the team with a vision were like, come on, we miss you. We want you to come back.”
His decision was fueled by a seize-the-moment attitude: “I said, my life is short. I need to take advantage. I may not do it for a long time. And so this is my one chance. So I just said, I’m going to do it. I’m not going to take this training too seriously. I don’t want to be stressed. I was so nervous the first time. I said, I refuse to be nervous.”
This time, Jared approached the race with a different goal and strategy. “So my goal of this redemption run for 2025 was just to kind of break my time. I just wanted to break what I did in Boston, to call it a Boston course PB,” he shares.
He also incorporated crucial changes into his preparation. “So this year, I felt more prepared. I did more strength training. So I invested in a personal trainer. So I go into the gym. I haven’t done weights in almost 10 years,” Jared explains, highlighting a key adjustment that paid off.
Lessons for All Runners
Jared’s two Boston experiences offer valuable insights applicable to all runners, regardless of visual ability or experience level.
For Blind or Low Vision Runners:
- Embrace the Treadmill: Jared is a “big advocate for the treadmill… I cannot promote that enough for this community,” suggesting it’s a great tool to reduce dependence on others for runs.
- Don’t Hesitate to Use a Guide: Guides are essential partners in navigating the course safely and effectively.
- Build a “Tuned Partnership” with Your Guide: It’s crucial to practice together. “It’s always good to do a shakeout run with them, or do a trial run with a tether…” to ensure smooth communication and teamwork.
- Join a Group: Connecting with communities like United in Stride can provide motivation, support, and resources.
For All Runners:
- Strength Training is Key: As Jared learned, incorporating weights makes a significant difference. “I would say invest in strength training,” he emphasizes.
- Develop a Smart Hill Strategy: Don’t be intimidated by hills. “Don’t take the downhills too, too seriously. Just go slower on the flat sections. And know that the uphills are not as bad as you think,” he advises, suggesting a balanced approach.
- Focus on the Experience & Finish Strong: While pace matters, finishing well physically and mentally is crucial. “You want to finish strong. You want to cross the finish line with some very positive pictures at the end. And a big celebratory finish. Don’t finish like you’re in agony. But it’s not worth it,” Jared says. Prioritize finishing comfortably over pushing to the absolute limit if it means a miserable final stretch.
Jared Broughton’s Boston Marathon redemption is a powerful testament to the power of resilience, learning from setbacks, and the value of strategic adjustments. The support of Team With A Vision was clearly instrumental in his positive return. His journey provides an inspiring roadmap for anyone facing challenges, on the road or in life.