NJ’s Jennifer Herring — Visually Impaired Runner, Warrior.. and all heart.
By: Mike Decastro
Tags: Running, Blindness, New Jersey

Jennifer Herring running the 5th avenue mile in NYC Marathon 2015

Every so often, while curating what seems like endless amounts of NJ media, I come across a ‘Jersey gem’. A person or place that defines NJ. It’s always a story of grit and character. NJ’s Jennifer Herring is a Jersey gem. [NOTE: If like me, you have at-the-ready excuses for your sedentary lifestyle.. Jennifer’s story is a gut-check.]

Jennifer Herring is a runner.. running marathons as a means to raise awareness and funds through Team With A Vision to help those, who like her, suffer from the challenges of living with blindness and visual impairment, caused by optic atrophy, or cone dystrophy. Though her range of vision is only about 2 feet, Jennifer Herring runs.. driven by passion and focused on her mission.

Here is Jennifer’s story, in her own words.. as well as a Q & A to help provide details and context, to what a cool New Jersey story Jennifer Herring is.

With optic atrophy, cone dystrophy.. What does the world look like?

The world is a blur to me. As I look around when I am sitting or running, I can spot some things, but they aren’t clear to me. When I see people at a distance, their faces aren’t clear. I know people by the way they walk or their shape. I don’t see the details clearly unless I am about 2 feet away. I can’t see text unless I am about a foot away.

Was there an epiphany moment when you were young in regard to running? Was there a time/place where your heart, mind & passion all connected at once.. and the love of running rushed into your consciousness?

I realized my passion for running was real and different when I was the only one in grammar school gym class and then even in middle school (except for one other boy who I ran with) who was so excited to have to run in circles around the field or inside the gym. I wondered why everyone else dreaded because it gave me so much happy energy. My hampered vision didn’t affect it at all because I didn’t have to see a ball or spot anything. I just had to go, and I felt free!

When you started to run competitively as a kid, did you need assistance?

Jennifer’s High School Varsity jacket. John P. Stevens High School, Edison NJ.

I started running Winter Track as a freshman in High School. I made a friend when I went to sign up for it because I couldn’t see the chalkboard with the information to fill in on our papers. But, when it came to running we would usually go out on the roads around school for longer runs. Luckily, we all ran the same pace and stayed close, so I would just follow everyone. I started running cross country sophomore year of high school. I did get lost during my 1st race, but going forward as I learned the different courses, I would try my best to follow other runners or stay with teammates. I remember falling once in the woods, but I got up and kept going to finish my race. I am fortunate that my parents built me tough. I continued running through high school and senior year I was voted captain for track and cross country. I still have my varsity jacket that I was so proud of.

When I run the road races these days, everything is a blur, but I can follow people along the way. I am fortunate that nothing out of the ordinary has come up in my path, but I should have a guide along if there are issues.. I am so independent that it takes a lot for me to have a guide, but I am appreciative and fortunate if I do have one. I mostly run road races and stay away from any races that go in the woods or not on paved paths, so I don’t have to worry about avoiding extra obstacles. My usual training path is a little over 3/4 of a mile loop in my development and I run in the road that is flat and fast for me. I run closer to the center to avoid the parked cars and mostly during the week I am out early, so there isn’t much car traffic. The neighbors know me and say “Hi and Good Morning” and most of the dogs bark and rout for me too. :-)

When someone who has never run before, begins the process of running.. it’s hard. But something happens along the way, if we don’t give up. Running begins to morph.. and blossom, as a spiritual practice. Is that what running is for you?

I run to remember, and I run to forget. I run to figure things out for work and in my life. I was born with the passion inside. No one introduced it to me. It keeps me healthy and I have so much happy energy. When I leave to go for a run, I may feel like crying, but when I return, I feel like singing. It is my therapy and has helped me through college, the passing of my beloved father, and many issues along the way.

When I am running in my circles, I don’t need to see where I am going, as I just move forward and feel so strong. Even the fierce wind cannot slow me down in the winter months. I train for my races through the winter and some of the most serene runs are in the middle of the winter when it is quiet and cold with only my thoughts and the sound of my footsteps.

When people say to me, “I don’t know how you do it”, I say to them first that they can do it too, or even walking is great too. I then think to myself, “I don’t know how I could live without it.” It is my drug of choice and I have never abused it. I do recommend it to others because it can cure many of life’s ailments and can bring happiness and health which is what most people are searching for. Running is a timed escape each day that you can depend on for helping to get through the life’s daily obstacle course. It is cherished and appreciated and cannot be taken for granted.

When running for Team With A Vision, I am always amazed at marathons. People from all over the world come together to raise money and awareness. We all push and inspire each other and are focused on common goals. I believe that if everyone could take a moment and make the world blurry, like the way that I see.. it would help them to draw into focus only the most important aspects of life.. Vision would be focused on what matters most.. Running helps me see the bright side in a blurry world that would otherwise be dark.

Recently, while preparing for a race and fund raising I overheard someone say, “She runs for all of us.”.. Meaning that I run for those who can not, and raise awareness and funds to help those who are blind, visually impaired and in need. That is true, and always will be. It is a way to give back, and enlighten the world around me.

Team With A Vision 2015

Why is Team With A Vision so special for you?

Team With A Vision, is a supportive, inspiring team of visually impaired runners and guides, raising money that helps improve the lives of those with similar disabilities. It reminds me of the camaraderie that I felt when I attended Camp Marcella growing up which is a camp that offers activities for children who are blind, visually impaired, and have multiple handicaps. Team With A Vision is a group of people who overcome obstacles and struggles to continue their passions and inspire others to do the same. They are paired with compassionate people who run and share the same goals of helping others and reaching their potential.

These three words, “Never Give Up”, are what I will always live by and hope to spread to others who also have continued obstacles to overcome throughout their lives!

A picture of Jennifer and her dad dancing with the 2008 Boston Marathon finisher medal surrounding them both. Gravely ill, Jennifer’s father promised that we would wait until Jennifer handed him the medal, before he passed away. He did so.

Footnote — If you are interested in supporting Jennifer’s 2016 Boston Marathon run, please visit Team With A Vision to donate. All funds raised support the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired statewide network of vision rehabilitation services, which serve individuals, giving them the support they need to live with dignity and independence.