Sensing The Trail In Front Of You – An Interview with Sharlene Wills, Blind Trail Runner

If you have completed trail races west of the Rockies in the last three years, you’ve probably run with Sharlene Wills of Southern California. She’s 5’1”, in her mid-50’s, and oh yeah…the only blind woman on the trail. But that hasn’t stopped her from completing over 40 marathons, a dozen trail runs, and most recently the Helen Klein 50 miler. Trail runs are challenging enough for someone who can see, so if you’re probably asking the same questions I did when I heard she finished the Bizz-Johnson Marathon with all smiles – What? Why? HOW?!?

Sharlene was nice enough to give us some insight.

1) Your story is amazing. Tell us a bit about yourself and how you found trail running.

SW: I’ve always been one to seek out new experiences, and running was something I started in the early 90’s after successfully walking the L.A. Marathon. About three years ago, I started trail running to get more into nature. I’ve done the Catalina Trail Marathon, Lone Pine, Ridge Crest, the Bulldog 30k, two attempts at Pike’s Peak, the Bizz-Johnson Marathon and recently completed the Helen Klein 50 miler. Trail running has been a wonderful experience, and the people are great. I plan to keep doing it as long as I can.

2) For most runners, trail running is largely a visual experience - how would you describe your trail running experience?

SW: It’s amazing! There’s nothing like being out in nature and feeling all the sensations. You can smell the flowers, pine, and eucalyptus. As you climb out of the canyon, the sound of the river dissipates and you get this sense of majesty and awe. As you descend again, it all rushes back to you. When you can’t see, you have to go a bit slower since your next step could be anything from flat path to stone or four inches of muck. But when you have to go a bit slower, like me, you really get the full sensory experience. You really can commune with your surroundings, and understand you’re out in the wild.

3) After reading your story, I went for a night run to see if I could simulate the experience. I made it about 20 yards before taking a digger. How in the world do you keep from falling on every rock and turn?

SW: There are three things that help me along – guides, tethers, and trekking poles. First, I always have a guide. I’ve been lucky to have raced with some great guides, and we have learned to communicate well about what is coming up on the trail. I can also steer myself by listening closely to the sounds of the guide in front of me, and the terrain around me. Sometimes I tether to a guide with a short rope and two carabineers, and that gives me a good sense of their direction, particularly on the single trail. But I don’t like to tether if I can go it alone. I’ve found the trekking poles to be very helpful on the rugged terrain since I can “feel” in front of me for steps, creeks, and rocks.

But don’t think that I don’t fall – I certainly get my fair share of that. I prefer to use the Helen Klein 50m mantra – “if the bone ain’t showing, keep on going”. Still, my biggest injuries aren’t from falling, it’s from all the odd foot placement. My feet can take weeks to heel from blisters after a tough marathon.

4) What are the most useful ways your guides describe the trail in front of you?

SW: Brevity is key. You can’t do a long description or else I’ll be on top of it before you finish. Short statements like “rock in the middle” and “stay to the right” are more helpful than “wide step” or “three inch gulley”. Inches don’t mean the same thing to a blind person. “Duck” is a good one - very clear, very short. I also like descriptions of texture, such as gravel, pebbles, and waist-high boulders on your right. But I’m 5’1”, so make sure you’re talking about “my right” and “my waist”!

I also get a good sense from the non-verbal cues. For example, when you approach a log, I can feel and hear how my guide steps over that log, and that gives me a good sense of what I need to do. And as long as they face forward when they talk and don’t stop, I can get a sense of where they are going too.

5) How about creeks, river crossings, and that sort of thing?

SW: I’ve learned it’s much easier to walk through a creek than try to boulder hop. Plus it feels nice on the feet.

6) Are there any races you feel you couldn’t do?

SW: There’s no terrain I couldn’t do, but it is difficult for me to hit time cut-off’s like at Pike’s Peak (especially since I also can’t use trekking poles). But it’s such a beautiful run, I keep going back. Weather can be tough, but not impossible – in 2004, we did the Catalina Marathon in rain, wind, and hail without falling, even though it was like a Slip-and-Slide all day. I would love to do the Leadville 100 or Western States 100, but it would take me well over 48 hours. Maybe someday.

7) What have been the biggest highlight and lowlight of the your trail running career?

SW: The 2004 Bizz-Johnson Marathon was definitely the highlight. It’s such a fantastic race. And even though it took me a while, all the volunteers, Eric Gould (the Race Director), and Michael Fretz (the winner) were at the finish line to cheer me on. As soon as I got home, I signed up for 2005.

For lowlights, it’s probably not finishing Pike’s Peak. I made it as far as Bar Camp last time, which was an improvement, so perhaps I can finish it someday.

Would you mind if I ask you a few training questions?

SW: Sure.

1) Do you train mostly indoor or outdoor?

SW: Outdoor as much as I can.

2) Do you try and target a finishing time or pace?

SW: For races on fire roads, I can target a time. For Bizz-Johnson Marathon, I targeted 6.5 hours and came very close. It’s easier to run for speed on the road runs. Most of the time I’m just hoping to finish.

3) Can you tell us about your race nutrition strategy?

SW: My nutrition strategy is similar to that of any trail runner, and I eat well at the aid stations, particularly for the longer runs. I’m a bit of a junk food junkie, on and off the trail. My favorites are potatoes, gummy bears, nuts, and anything with caffeine. I would drink coffee if they served it! The Helen Klein 50 had peanut butter and jelly – that was great. The night before a race can be tricky for me. I get really nervous thinking about the unknowns in tomorrow’s race, so it’s best not to eat after 5pm.

4) What’s next for 2005?

SW: Bizz-Johnson Marathon for sure. It’s such a beautiful race. Maybe Red Rocks if I can do it with my dog, but he’s not so sure about the cones. And I would really love to try the Catalina 50 Mile sometime. I’m hoping to do the Dipsea 7-miler, which is great fun for me except for those stone steps down to Stinson Beach which can take longer than the rest of the race, or the Way Too Cool 50k. Off the trails, the San Diego Rock 'n Roll looks like a good one. Often many of my races come up because someone will ask if they can guide for me…and my answer is often “yes”!

5) Any advice you would give to trail runners, or other blind athletes looking to try the trails?

SW: Don’t forget to enjoy nature while you’re out there. I know many of you are fast and want to go quickly, but trail running is such a great experience with all the sensations and great people on the trails, you should be sure to enjoy it. It's always good to start with a smooth trail, like Ridgecrest or the Valley Crest. There's a great first time race called the Angeles Crest, which is great because he puts in a time handicap that allows us slower runners to compete directly with the rabbits.

For blind athletes I would say “you never know until you try”. You would be hard-pressed to find a more supportive environment or group of people. The aid station volunteers are always great, and even the elite runners are always patting me on the shoulder or stopping to help people along the way. It’s consistently like that at every race, and it makes it fun.If you would like to experience what it’s like to “run blind”, we’re always looking for guides. It’s a wonderful challenge all by itself, and there’s no experience required!

Thanks, Sharlene...I'll be looking for you on the trails!

- SD