With C-Different for the Ironman distance triathlons, the guides are expected to do the entire race with the blind athlete. However, I know there are some shorter distance races where guides team up to help the athlete. Also, I know of some marathons where multiple guides will take turns guiding the athlete throughout the race. I am guiding a blind athlete (the same one I guided at IM Lake Placid) at the Marine Corps Marathon this October. Very much looking forward to it!
There are some challenges from a guide perspective. For example, if you typically run a 3 hour marathon and the blind athlete runs a 5 hour marathon, it can be a difficult adjustment to run at a slower pace. Also, you have to constantly remember that your partner can't see (obviously). But this can be difficult, especially if you don't have a lot of experience with visually impaired individuals. For example, you may see the pot-hole in the road, but your partner doesn't. So, it takes some practice to imagine running without sight so that you can point out and alert your athlete about any obstructions, dips, sharp turns, curbs, etc.
In triathlons, the swim portion can be challenging as you are tethered together and can't communicate real well in the midst of an Ironman swim. Furthermore, most of the athletes don't realize you are tethered, and we had to be careful to stay tight so that no one would get twisted up in the tether (the blind athletes and guides do wear different colored caps so that they are identifiable, but it is difficult to see that, especially at the start).
Regarding the cycling portion, make sure you are comfortable riding a tandem. This is especially important on turns and hills. Your athlete can't see the hill coming up, so you will need to alert him or her that you are going to shift and start climbing a hill. Likewise, sharp turns can be difficult as you both have to lean.
It is also very mentally challenging, especially at the Ironman distance, because another athlete's race is completely dependent on you. When you are racing alone, you only have to worry about getting yourself to the finish line (and certainly being safe and respective of fellow athletes and volunteers). As a guide, you are also responsible for guiding someone else to the finish line. This made the race much more mentally challenging and stressful for me, as I was continually focused on the athlete, and often forgot to think about myself (nutrition, pacing, etc.). That said, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The blind athletes are simply amazing, and it is an extremely rewarding experience.
MP
matto wrote:
Can you guide for just one part of the race, or are you expected to do the whole thing? For example, if they're pretty fast maybe you need a good swimmer for the swim, and a good runner for the run. Or do they just find people who are fast enough at all 3?
Also, do you just do the race, or is the expectation that you train with them for weeks prior?