My Dad does this with adults running marathons; it’s way more involved than just running with someone; the visually impaired person sets the pace so you have to run a marathon while someone else decides how fast to run, while also trying to anticipate their stride a few seconds in advance so you can spot potential hazards then communicate them back to your partner who needs to have absolute trust in you that you are going to keep them from hurting themselves. You essentially end up being a rally car navigator for a person
The downhill skiing version is similar. The sighted guide has to shout directions to the blind skier as the team goes down the slope. Helmet radios are permitted, which helps when you’re going fast and the wind gets noisy, but if you use a radio, the blind skier looses the ability to orient themselves by which direction the guide’s voice is coming from.
My Dad does this with adults running marathons; it’s way more involved than just running with someone; the visually impaired person sets the pace so you have to run a marathon while someone else decides how fast to run, while also trying to anticipate their stride a few seconds in advance so you can spot potential hazards then communicate them back to your partner who needs to have absolute trust in you that you are going to keep them from hurting themselves. You essentially end up being a rally car navigator for a person
Samir! You are not listening to my calls!
Triple caution!
Medium left! Meediumm leeffft!
You have to stay on the road!
I beg you
The downhill skiing version is similar. The sighted guide has to shout directions to the blind skier as the team goes down the slope. Helmet radios are permitted, which helps when you’re going fast and the wind gets noisy, but if you use a radio, the blind skier looses the ability to orient themselves by which direction the guide’s voice is coming from.
That sounds terrifying. At least running you have a pretty easy way to come to a safe stop if things are getting dangerous