Since 2014, Stacy Bolyard, a Sales Coordinator for MCN Healthcare, has volunteered her time and passion for running with Achilles International, a non-profit organization that assists athletes with disabilities. The organization pairs athletes with disabilities and able-bodied volunteers who help guide athletes with disabilities during training and racing events. “I’m helping an athlete get to the finish line,” says Stacy. “The race doesn’t matter to me,” Stacy continues, “I’m working… I’m there to help the athlete run [her] race, and only afterward, do I look back at what I just did.”
Stacy, an accomplished marathoner herself, says that participating in Achilles International makes her a better runner. With 70 marathons, 4 ultras, and a variety of half marathons and other distances already under her belt, Stacy immediately lights up when recounting her experiences guiding one Achilles athlete through two World Major Marathons – the 2014 New York City and 2016 Boston Marathons. In both Marathons, Stacy helped guide an athlete with cerebral palsy to the finish line, an accomplishment achieved through the duo’s aligned goals.
“Before the race [the 2014 NYC Marathon], we came up with three goals,” states Stacy. “The first was safety. The second was to finish the race, and the third was to have fun.” Running next to, or behind her athlete, Stacy was able to keep other runners from accidentally bumping into the athlete. She helped maintain pace by taking the lead uphill while her athlete called the pace on downhills or even sections. This strategy and teamwork helped her athlete accomplish their first two goals. As for the third goal, Stacy states, “Along the race we were singing, playing ‘Tag’ with other Achilles teams, and high-fiving spectators…I tried to keep her laughing and having fun.”
Stacy also helped her athlete with race logistics such as handing her energy gels and water, pacing and maintaining their time, and navigating the crowds and course.
“I would stay within 24 inches of her along the course. I was behind her preventing the faster crowd from bumping into her. They’d see my tall frame and move to the side, only to realize we’re a team and they’d give her encouragement. She [the athlete] lights up when someone cheers for her,” states Stacy. Their persistence paid off, finishing both the NYC and Boston Marathons within their goal finish time.
When describing her experiences running alongside her athlete in the NYC and Boston Marathons, Stacy states, “I’ll guide her any day… I love running with her. It makes me a stronger runner too.” Stacy continues, “We kind of push each other… It’s a really good relationship we have.”
Achilles International was founded in the early 1980s by Dick Traum, an above the knee amputee, who was the first amputee ever to run in and finish the New York City Marathon. Since its founding, Achilles International has grown into a worldwide organization with local chapters across the globe. The organization also includes programs for children with disabilities and wounded veterans. According to the Achilles International website:
Every day, in parks, gyms, and tracks all over the world, Achilles provides athletes with disabilities with a community of support. Able-bodied volunteers and disabled runners come together to train in an environment of support and community. Within this community, runners gain measurable physical strength and build confidence through their sense of accomplishment, which often transfers to other parts of their life.
You do not need to be a runner to get involved with Achilles. Volunteers are essential to all aspects of Achilles’ operation from bike mechanics to wheelchair transports and dog walkers to help watch athletes’ dogs. There are many ways to get involved with Achilles International, and Stacy encourages anyone interested in volunteering to find a local chapter.
Stacy plans to continue her volunteering with Achilles International while also training for 9 marathons in which she will personally run this Fall, including Revel Cottonwood, Route 66, and her hometown Tucson Marathon. As part of her training, Stacy has every intention to continue running alongside athletes with disabilities.
“When I’m running, I’m just focusing on where I’m going next, but when you’re running with a buddy, it’s like your senses are ten times better,” says Stacy. She continues, “You can share what you’re seeing, hearing, smelling, and experiencing together, and it makes running so much more enhanced and enjoyable. So fun! Just so so much fun.”
From all of us at MCN, keep running, Stacy! We’re proud to call you one of our own.
For more information on Achilles International and ways to volunteer or donate, visit: http://www.achillesinternational.org/
Read more about Stacy Bolyard and her experiences with Achilles International here: http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/NL/april2016.pdf
Related Link:
https://www.runrevel.com/ambassador?pk=1464266 Stacy Bolyard, Ambassador for Revel Cottonwood
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