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No Finish Line | 
 enlarge | Authors: Marla Runyan, Sally Jenkins
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Category: Book
List Price: $26.95
Buy New: $0.01
You Save: $26.94 (100%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 1312135
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 252
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.3
ISBN: 0399148035
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.424092
EAN: 9780399148033
ASIN: 0399148035
Publication Date: October 1, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
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Book Description
"Blind? I think there's no doubt that Marla Runyan can see things much clearer than most of us with 20/20 vision." (Lance Armstrong)
Marla Runyan was nine years old when she was diagnosed with Stargardt's disease, an irreversible form of macular degeneration. With the uneasy but unwavering support of her parents, she refused to let her diagnosis limit her dreams. Despite her severely impaired, ever-worsening vision, Marla rode horseback and learned to play the violin. And she found her true calling in sports. A gifted and natural athlete, Marla began to compete in the unlikeliest event of all: the heptathlon, the grueling women's equivalent of the decathlon, consisting of seven events: the 200-meter dash, high jump, shot put, 100-meter hurdles, long jump, javelin throw, and 800-meter run. In 1996, she astonished the sports world by qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials and, along the way, set the American record for the heptathlon 800. It was then that she decided to concentrate on her running. Four years of intense effort paid off. In 2000, she qualified for the U.S. Olympic team by finishing third in the 1,500 meters. In Sydney, she placed eighth in the finals, the top American finisher-the highest women's placing for the United States in the event's history.
With self-deprecation and surprising wit, Marla reveals what it's like to see the world through her eyes, how it feels to grow up "disabled" in a society where expectations are often based on perceived abilities, and what it means to compete at the world-class level despite the fact that-quite literally, for her-there is no finish line.
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| Customer Reviews:
Obstacles and Perspectives March 7, 2002
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
One can never truly understand a piece of literature, much less an autobiography, without actually becoming that person. In this case, one may "understand" that Ms. Runyan had a painful and frustrating past, but since we are not that ones that experienced it, we do not truly understand. Being blind takes away from you just as much as it gives. You take on a completely unique perspective on life; you take nothing for granted, and take great pleasure in the small things that make life worth living. Ms. Runyan, you will win a gold medal in the Olympics.
Witty, insightful, humorous inspiration. January 4, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I'm not legally blind, but I could really understand it and identify with the struggles she endured in being different throughout most of her life. The writing style is so engaging and easy to read that it feels almost like conversation. Just when you have a question, the answer appears. Marla's dry wit is refreshing and intelligent. There is no pity party here! Marla has really struggled in life and sport. She continues to learn and perservere as a person and athlete and that is what makes a champion in life and on the track. I can't wait to see her medal in Athens at the next summer olympics. I'm a better person and athlete after reading her story.
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