Rebecca Lindenbaum, Guide and Board Member, Achilles International

Automated Transcription

Joe Borchard: [00:00:26] welcome to the I run because podcast, we all have a reason why we run. Each person has a unique purpose to answer their, why your, why moves you? Your, why gets you across the finish line? Your why can motivate others? I run because seeks to inspire others by exploring the why of athletes who run for charitable organizations and causes.

I'm your host, Joe Bouchard. And I have my lovely cohost, my bride and guide in life. My wife, Christine. 

Christine Borchard: [00:00:52] Hello, everyone. 

Joe Borchard: [00:00:54] Tonight. We're really excited to have Rebecca Linden balm from Achilles international. If you have ever run the New York city marathon, there's no doubt that you've seen her smiling face that greet you as you cross that finish line.

, so we're so excited to have her on the program tonight. Welcome. 

Christine Borchard: [00:01:09] She wrapped me in a blanket at the end.

So I remember somebody was very pretty makeup on lipstick. Look very right. Like, like an angel. And then they give me a nice warm blanket, 

Joe Borchard: [00:01:20] like an angel. And have Rebecca, have you ever had a welcome like that?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:01:24] Wow. Wow. That's a lot to live up to.

Joe Borchard: [00:01:27] Like an angel? There we go. We have Rebecca Linden balm, Achilles angel with us tonight. Oh my gosh. How are

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:01:37] are big shoes to fill. I'm good. I'm really good. You know, I'm glad you mentioned the marathon because that's definitely my favorite day of the year. , I think you said if you've ever run a marathon, I've only been at the finish line the past three years. , since I've been with Achilles, but I remember my first year, I think I cried all day long.

I was so emotional. We had about 250 athletes participating that year. And each one had, at that time we had a lot of guides. Some people had three guides, some had four guides. I'm pretty sure I hugged 250 people and their guides at the finish line. And in tears, in tears, I'm amazed that everybody is that okay to, I just jped in with

Joe Borchard: [00:02:20] yeah. Listen, we went, we went right into the deep end. I mean, that was it. We went right into the deep end.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:02:26] It's just the best. And especially when, when, , you know, I love being there at the very end when the last person comes in or the second to last or the fifth to last, because they have, I mean, everybody puts their heart and soul. I'm not usually there in the, in the, in the morning with the fastest runners, but when you see someone who has just spent the past.

10 11 hours from start to finish getting to that finish line. And then, you know, I'm standing there in the yellow shirt, they're in their yellow Achilles shirt and there's just nothing. It's nothing better, you know, they've, they've put everything into that moment and to just see them cross the finish line is it's the best, just the best.

I mean, I've seen some of your guests, you had, you know, Alan Kaufman on. I remember when he came in his first year. I'm doing the marathon after he was, after he missed one year when he was sick. And I remember taking the photo at the end of him and his guides and they were, they were wiped out and they were amazing.

And then, you know, fast forward a year later, I was at the finish line again, when I saw them come in, it was like a different person. I mean, it was unbelievable. I, I, I couldn't get over it. So it's always just so incredible to be there.

Joe Borchard: [00:03:45] It is such an inspiring day and everyone's stories move you. They inspire you. They make you want to get out there and run. And I'll be honest with you. I've been on both sides of this and. Our interview just went right into the deep end. We, we we're, we're in this right now. , I've been on both sides of it where I've been a spectator for my wife.

, we've gone there as a couple to cheer on our friends and I've also run the ma the, the marathon. And I have to say, well, running the marathon is so exciting. There's something so satisfying, just being a sideline, yelling, strangers names, and wanting to out, trying to inspire them, to motivate them to move further and move faster.

It's just such a great time. 

Christine Borchard: [00:04:28] I don't know if people realize that it really helps. Like all things. I'm not making fun of virtual races, but I need, I'm the person that needs the carrot. Like, I need somebody to say you look good, Chrissy, keep going. And then like, I, I run until they can't see me again. And then I go back to walking.

Joe Borchard: [00:04:43] I want to 

Christine Borchard: [00:04:44] make them feel good about themselves, that they just cheered me on.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:04:47] Oh, I agree. I also feel that way.

Christine Borchard: [00:04:49] eyes shot, and then I walk.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:04:53] I was in the park. , last week I was actually on my bike and I was having a hard morning. It was hot. I went out too late, actually. It was very hot and I was tired and, you know, I'm just going for a ride. But all of a sudden I turned and I was on one of the Hills. And I saw actually one of our Achilles athletes in the yellow shirt, Sarah Heller.

Who's just super and she's waving her arms and she's waving and I'm screaming, Sarah, and she's yelling to me. And that moved me, that got me going over the Hill, gave me that high five that I needed, you know, virtual high five. So I know exactly what you mean. I think it feels great to, to have people cheering you and.

And Achilles, you don't even have to know someone's name. Like the people that I hugged, some of them, the athletes came from Japan. We didn't even speak the same language, but we connected through our yellow shirts and, and just to, you know, cheer that person who's just spent hours and hours running a marathon.

It's just incredible.

Christine Borchard: [00:05:52] You know, funny, you said that I did, I ran a Brooklyn, but not as an Achilles guider athlete, I had my own bed and I said, I'm going to take the day off and run it myself. And whenever I saw someone in the yellow shirt, I felt like, like I would run next to him and be like, hi, I'm Achilles too. Like, I felt like I was, , I was, , what's the word I'm looking for?

Like, I was out of the loop didn't have my yellow shirt on him. And then after I was done, I'm like, I don't know if I need to do that again. I like wearing my yellow shirt.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:06:17] I agree.

Joe Borchard: [00:06:18] Yeah, it connects us. All right. So Rebecca, we're going to go back now. All right. 

We're going to put this in reverse for a little bit, so I know you're you're you're I'm sorry, we got a little feedback there.

Do you hear that?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:06:27] Speaker. Still the headphones. Okay.

Joe Borchard: [00:06:27] Okay, well, 

Christine Borchard: [00:06:27] now I'm hearing it more than ever, 

Joe Borchard: [00:06:27] so, okay. Ready? Three, two, one. So, Rebecca, , start with us. How did you get involved with Achilles and how long have you been affiliated with, with the group?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:06:35] So I started running, , with, , a trainer for a little while I used to cycle more and I decided to switch to running and he. Was one of the people who would help run the Achilles triathlon training camp that we had in the spring. And he would tell me stories about an athlete who came to the camp and may have just lost a leg.

And this was the first time they were getting into the pool or the first time they were getting on a tandem and. I I'd always hear such incredible stories from him. And I used to say to him, you know, one day I really want to come. I really want to help out with the killers. I want to do that, but it probably took another year or so til a friend of mine invited me to come to one of the Saturday, Achilles meets in central park.

And she asked me to come and I was so thrilled, but I was nervous. I was nervous. You know, how do I guide someone? What do I do? So I got to the park and I was paired up with another guide, a little more experienced guide. And we guided a blind athlete, an athlete who is blind Francesco. And. Right away, both Kevin and Francesco Francesco made me feel totally comfortable that I can do this.

It gave me the tether. We ran a couple of miles and as it turns out, it was only Francesco's second time coming to Achilles. And so we. Connected right away. Who's a young guy. And then after that I would come on Saturdays, but because Francesco was in college and he lived a few blocks away from me, we would also meet every Thursday and go run ourselves in the park.

And then we would walk across the park together to the Saturday Achilles or the Tuesday Achilles. So I started going very often and I met. Just so many incredible athletes and I would, I would just leave every Saturday or every Tuesday on, on such a high and, and having had such an incredible experience.

So that was my start of it. 

Joe Borchard: [00:08:48] And about what year was that when you first ran with a

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:08:53] with Francesco, , it was really only. 2017. It wasn't that many years ago. It just feels like I've done a lot with Achilles since then. , I basically, I met, , some of the other athletes. , I, I met the head of the triathlon team at the time. , Charles and I watched them on Saturdays. The tri team would also meet Anne a little bit before the running workouts and they would meet and ride on tandems and I saw them and I got.

You know, friendly with some of them. And then I went to go get my yellow Achilles guide shirt. I went to the Achilles' office and I walked in there and I met the staff and they are the most dedicated, incredible people. And I said to them, this is the most wonderful organization like. Why doesn't everybody know about Achilles.

Why, why don't you have millions of dollars thrown at you? Like, why wouldn't anyone want to be guiding or running with Achilles? And I said to them, you know what, I'm going to have something at my house. I'm going to host something for my friends to tell them about Achilles and to raise money. And I basically walked outside.

I called a couple of the athletes that I knew right away. , and I asked them if they would come and my friend, Linda, who brought me to Achilles, she and I hosted this evening with eight Achilles athletes and a whole bunch of people. And it was an incredible evening. And so that was my, that was my start.

And, , we raised some money that night. And then, , the founder of Achilles Dick tra, who founded this incredible organization, asked me to join the Achilles board. , I had never been on a board before and I said, I'll only join the board if I can actually do things with Achilles and for Achilles. And that's how it all started.

Joe Borchard: [00:10:47] That's great. , but really is, 

Christine Borchard: [00:10:49] so fundraising is a big part. I mean, going out and running, you don't really need any money to just run, but when you want to do some of the fun events and go places as a group or as a team, you do need funding. And, you know, we've helped some athletes out with like sneakers and, you know, race fees.

So there is a financial piece as well. 

Joe Borchard: [00:11:07] Yeah. You know, some of the athletes that we serve, , do need some financial assistance. You're right. And, and I think part of Achilles too, you know, correct me if I'm wrong, Rebecca is it's not only a running organization, but it's also a social component and, you know, creating experiences for athletes and creating experiences for, well, the, the teams, the athletes and the guides and.

Whether it's going to races or traveling through racist party, a Christmas party that's right. Or holiday parties. , so that's an important thing. And so glad that you were able to raise some money for, for Achilles. Now that does, did that party start to grow? , the one that was once, how, how was in your, , your

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:11:49] Yes. Yes. And let me just say, I am not, I never consider myself a fundraiser. I never have asked people for money. I mean, but I felt like. This was a no brainer. I mean, for certainly I did target my audience though. I did ask people who run. I mean, anyone in central park should know what those yellow shirts are about.

Even if you're not donating money, we're looking for guides all the time. You know? I mean, we have many, but there are always ways to get involved. So it was, it was really not an easy thing for me to do at first, but it wasn't hard for me to say to somebody. We need some tandem bikes, you know, we need new ones.

These are older, you know, they have to be fixed up or we have more athletes we want to reach. Or like you said, it's, it's the expenses of, of getting to a race or going to a triathlon and renting a house to stay in because it's out of town. I mean, there are costs involved and it does take some money and other events.

But, , I forgot your question. Sorry.

Christine Borchard: [00:12:51] Did you have a question? I 

Joe Borchard: [00:12:52] don't think

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:12:53] Sorry. Okay. Sorry.

Joe Borchard: [00:12:56] I did, you know, 

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:12:57] You did sorry. 

Joe Borchard: [00:12:58] cause,

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:12:58] Oh, right.

Joe Borchard: [00:13:00] , I'm pretty sure the party's grown a little bit 

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:13:02] Yes, yes. From the few people at my house. , but sorry, by the next year we decided to turn it into an actual cocktail party at a venue, which of course costs money. But I remember walking in there actually with Charles the head of the tried team at the time, , who is an Achilles athlete.

And we walked in there and we talked to them and we said, You know, we, we need a really good deal. You know, we're trying to raise money. We're trying to bring people together, raise awareness. And the venue worked with us and it was such a fun evening. We had someone else on our committee, her father, , plays in a band.

And so he, you know, they came and they donated their time. In fact, one of the, it was coincidental that one of the players of the band and the band is a music teacher for a few of our. Blind athletes I'm at their music school. So it was very funny that, you know, they knew each other and , that event grew the next year as well to an even larger venue.

And each year, our video that we, that we made got better and better to tell more people about Achilles. And even from, from my house, there were people who come to Achilles now. Who came because they heard our, you know, our presentation or met the athletes and said, you know what? I have no excuse not to come.

You know, I gotta go, I gotta meet these guys. And so it's grown every year. Now, I don't know, in this, in this environment, now we are trying to figure out what to do, whether it's a virtual cocktail party or some other kind of event or fundraiser. But like you said, Joe, it's very social. And that's a huge component of Achilles.

In fact, we actually just changed our mission statement to include the words, , that it's not just it's to transform the lives of people with disabilities, through athletic programs and social connection. And that is so important because even not just the cocktail party, but we've also, I've been. Lucky enough to help, , run some movie nights that we had in conjunction with the JCC when the JCC does their real abilities, film festival, which are films either about or for, or by people with disabilities.

We had two evenings for our Achilles athletes to come. , you know, they came to the JCC, the films are all audio described. So for me to be able to bring. These athletes to a movie. It was wonderful. You know, we had food afterwards. We had snacks. It's very much a social connection. It's very much a, you know, very much a family.

Joe Borchard: [00:15:38] You know what, and I think that's the word that, you know, Christine and I we've been interviewing. A nber of, of, of, of Achilles folks. And it always comes back to like that word's always dropped in some way, shape or form that it's, it's a family. And I know for us, with the, the chapter that we're part of affiliated here in New Jersey, we've had, we've gone out for ice cream.

We've we've had barbecues 

Christine Borchard: [00:16:04] cooking demonstrations. 

Joe Borchard: [00:16:05] That's right. We went, we had a cooking demonstration, , And it's just, it's so nice. I mean, we enjoy running with, with each other and I'll tell you sometimes the five minutes before our group run or the five minutes after are some of my, my favorite times.

But also when we get, when we strip off the, , cosmic yellow shirts and we go out and in a regular setting, I'll say, it's just so nice to be with these people. And, and I do, I consider them our family.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:16:34] I agree, you know, , because we meet right in central park and, , you know, I live close to the park, so Francesco will meet me, , a few blocks from my house at the entrance to the park, and then we'll walk across on Saturday. But after everybody does their run hangs out, you know, chats a bit, there, there are probably about five of us, a few athletes and a few guys, or maybe more that walk back across.

Yeah, across the park, somewhere going on a subway from the West side and, you know, some are just walking from there. And that to me is one of the best parts of, of my workout, because then we're, we're not trying to breathe and run at the same time. Now we have time to, to chat about our lives more and to make jokes and make fun of each other or go out to lunch afterwards.

Or it's it's. I agree. I mean, these are, it's definitely my family. I mean, we've, we've had, you know, events where one of our athletes was performing and storytelling and something downtown. So, you know, a bunch of us all went to support him, you know, in, in that some people have performed in their music shows and we've gone to see them.

I mean, it's, it's definitely family and definitely that, that's the best thing when I'm there on a Saturday or Tuesday. I always like to see new guides after they've run with an athlete. And I like to be there when they come back and you can just tell, and then I'll ask them as well. But you can tell that they had the most incredible experience, whether they're running with an athlete who is blind or athlete who had a brain injury or an athlete who is running on a running blade, anything they.

They just will come back the next time. I mean, because they've made a connection, it's not just the running,

Joe Borchard: [00:18:21] Definitely. Definitely. And we've made connections with. Guides athletes, like I said 

Christine Borchard: [00:18:27] now, we're we branched out with this podcast now we're just having, we've invited ourself to Vegas for runs. We're going to your house next for a drink

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:18:37] Absolutely I'm ready for that. I'm ready. I'm dying to have everybody over. We actually, when the, when the New York city triathlon was canceled this past year, , it was, we ended up doing an indoor ride at tailwind indoor cycling place. And then people came to my house for brunch afterwards. And, , it was just really.

It was just fun. It was, you know, having my friends over and it was just, you know, it's I miss that now I miss that a lot.

It's really?

Christine Borchard: [00:19:07] I don't necessarily know if I miss all the running, but I do miss. 

Joe Borchard: [00:19:10] I miss. I 

Christine Borchard: [00:19:12] do miss. I miss it. You know, it, it, , it gave me a purpose. It gave me a purpose. Like we knew every Sunday I have to get up, you know, it kept me, it kept the schedule too, for me

just to 

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:19:22] we right. I agree. And we're still having, instead of our, in New York city, we have Tuesday night and Saturday morning workouts. So Tuesday nights, we're having a Google call and Saturday mornings we've been having just. With the tri team, another Google call plus Francesco, I should fast forward a little bit about Francesco because he was the first person I, I guided.

And like I said, he had just started running and we would run together a long time, but then quickly. He'd be I now I am now his recovery run. He is now the director of our triathlon team. , he is blind. He is a super athlete and my, he now does a lot of the workouts for Achilles that are being posted online.

For virtual workouts during this time. So we're still very connected. And if, and if I can't make every single Tuesday night, I like to get on for a few minutes at least and say, hello and check in with people. Like people have been connecting with each other and calling each other. And just yesterday, in fact, it was so sweet.

I had. I was running in the park and I fell and I, one of the athletes called me and checked on me yesterday. He, you know, I had posted something about the kindness of strangers that somebody helped me in central park. I was fine, but it was so nice. This was the same athlete, , who called me when the pandemic started just to check in and it was so sweet.

He could have just, you know, commented or texted, but he took the time to call because everyone is family.

Joe Borchard: [00:20:54] Yeah. Yeah. And I think, you know, even through some of this awfulness of COVID, I think some of it in some way, shape or form, it's actually brought some people closer. And has, has allowed us to connect on different ways. And like, like you say, news and Google meet or zoom, or, you know, a nber of different ways.

And you know, where I used to just send a quick text. , I'm now more apt to pick up the phone and call somebody just to, you know, I guess to hear their voice, you

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:21:22] Right.

Joe Borchard: [00:21:24] , so Rebecca you, , so you started in about 2017, , And you, you quickly became affiliate fileted with the tri team. So I guess the elevator pitch, what are some of the things that the, , what are some of the signature races that the tri team does?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:21:43] , well, it's funny. , the I'm actually don't even do triathlons, but, but I'm on the tri team. I'm officially on the triad team. Not yet. I'm not big into the swimming so far, so yeah, no.

Joe Borchard: [00:21:57] I never knew that. Cause I always see you affiliated with the tri

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:22:00] Right. I am very, I know I'm an honorary member of the tri team. I'm going to come. I'm going to come clean and tell you that I've not done one. , but.

Joe Borchard: [00:22:09] year. It was

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:22:09] Yes exactly. , I have tried the tandem and, , that was a little scary at the time. , but it wasn't during a race and, , I run, but I have not yet been swimming so that the tri team, obviously the New York city triathlon is a huge.

, a huge, , race that our athletes do. But, , the one that I went to, , was in Montauk and. It was the first time I'd ever joined the team. Sorry. I joined the team for a race, so we rented some houses out there. In fact, we brought the food, one of our athletes. Who's amazing. She did the grilling. We were all hanging out and they decided while there was blue algae in the water.

So they had to switch the race the night before from a Lake swim too. The ocean and we had, yes. And so we had two athletes, both of whom are blind, who had never done an ocean swim. And the night before that we went, you know, our houses were near the beach. Two guides, took them out. Put them in the ocean.

Okay. And the next day I I'm going to get choked up, but watching, you know, five in the morning, we're there getting ready and, you know, waiting to go into the water. And, you know, we ran down to the water and when I saw these two athletes come out of the water, It was the most incredible thing. I mean, you know, that's not easy for anybody to run into an ocean like that.

And there were these huge rocks where they had it. You had to step over these big rocks and they came out and, and they were such. Heroes. They were amazing. It was their first triathlon ever. And that was a big race that we did the team. , yeah. And I know that you, Joe, you said that you want to get back into guiding.

When I asked you the other day guiding a triathlon, we're always looking for guides for the team.

Joe Borchard: [00:24:07] to, I mean, but I gotta tell you, Rebecca, for our listeners at home, there's a huge difference between swimming in a Lake and then doing your first ocean, swim like that. And to put all your faith in your guide to get you through that. And then for you to muster up the strength to get, get you through it, that is.

That's a scary accomplishment, but one that just speaks vole about the athletes, press perseverance to do that. Cause that that really is an ocean swim is, can be scary, you

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:24:40] Yeah, it was, it was, it was just incredible. I mean the most heartwarming thing, , Adam and Simon, both of them superstars, you know, we do this training camp in New Jersey. , one of our athletes and, and, , guide, , they sponsor our training camp at a place in New Jersey and. It's the start of the season.

It's a big bonding weekend. You know, we do some drills, we do swimming, but in a pool we do the tandem running and it's also a great, wonderful bonding weekend. In fact, , your New Jersey head, , Joe soar Benelli came last year. And he also was a superstar and, and came at the, at the last minute, I believe we needed extra guides and he helped out.

And I think I'm sure he felt the same way that I did. And everyone did people really shared their, their fears even of starting and trying for a triathlon. Like you said, no one even expected oceans to come a few months later. But people really bared their souls just when we were starting our introduction at the end of the weekend, people again, just like how, when I started and heard about it now, I was able to witness somebody getting on a tandem bike the first time since losing a limb or getting in the pool.

And it was even more incredible to be there than to hear about it.

Christine Borchard: [00:25:59] Rebecca when people guide, do they have to do all three or could like, do you switch off?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:26:04] so, , it's a good question. That's a good question. I do think it depends on the race. Like there was a duathalon in New York city, so it was run bike run. So I did the run part with someone and someone else did the biking. I think it really depends on the race. I don't have a good enough answer for that, but I know that some of them are relays and you can switch.

I do think in New York city, you can, but I'm not a hundred percent sure.

Christine Borchard: [00:26:26] Only that only because I can't, I'm not a swimmer, but I'd be helping, , happy to help out in another way. You know what? I could be like the finish line girl, like you, 

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:26:34] Right. 

Christine Borchard: [00:26:37] promise. I will not be pretty, but maybe I can just cheer people on because I know it's something that Joe's interested in doing and if I could help out, but I'm.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:26:45] There, there are always things to do there. I mean, whether I know there are actual real titles of handlers or different things that people who might help on an amputee carry their leg to when they come out of the water, , and that, or help them to get into the bike there, there's so much to, to, to do there at a triathlon.

It'd be great to have you.

Christine Borchard: [00:27:04] All right. Count me in.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:27:05] You got

Christine Borchard: [00:27:06] that. I could do that. I can't swim. I could barely, I have a float in my backyard that I sit in and it has a little drink holder,

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:27:12] I love that. That's perfect.

Joe Borchard: [00:27:16] she's mastered that 

Christine Borchard: [00:27:19] I could keep my cell phone, but I could not let somebody else keep themselves. I'll help out in other ways. 

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:27:25] Okay.

Perfect. 

Joe Borchard: [00:27:27] the purpose of, 

Christine Borchard: [00:27:27] I want to be part of a team of the tri team and not actually do a try. I want to be just

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:27:31] That's like mini. Exactly. It's the best people think I do them. So it works, you know?

Joe Borchard: [00:27:38] I did. I really did.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:27:39] I have the Jersey.

Joe Borchard: [00:27:41] I still have pictures from, , from last year 

Christine Borchard: [00:27:43] part of the team that doesn't take away anything. You're still part of the team. I was an alternate cheerleader. I know I was still part of the team, although I did not compete, I wore my little outfit and I was still part of the team,

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:27:57] that works.

Joe Borchard: [00:27:59] when you're there cheering me on.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:28:02] Right. Someone has to pack all the goodies that I put in the rooms for the weekend. You know that doesn't, it's got to happen. I need your help. You can help me.

Joe Borchard: [00:28:12] that's it. So, so far we have invited herself over to your house for drinks. We even invite ourselves to try team.

Christine Borchard: [00:28:22] This was a bad move for you and I, we just.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:28:26] Oh, I want to come with you guys. I think I was telling, I was telling Joe, like, actually it's funny. One of the first things I do, if we're going on a family vacation is look for the Achilles chapter and, , one of the. Last times we're in Colorado, the Achilles chapter only they meet on, maybe it's a Monday.

I don't remember what day, but my family flew back and I stayed an extra day, so I could run with the Pike's peak chapter and it was the best. They're just, I mean, I love to do that. I love to meet different chapters and actually that turned out great because I ended up running with a young 12 year old girl who's blind and I'm in New York city.

Most of our, our Achilles kids, , are, have a form of autism or something, but we don't have too many, if any athletes who are blind children, and this was a new experience for me, it was incredible. And she was so wonderful teaching me about where we were running on the path and I connected with that chapter.

And then about a year later, I brought two of, , our New York city, Achilles athletes, Francesco, and Andrew, both of whom are blind athletes. And we join them in their hike halfway up. Pike's peak to a sleepover, , up in the cabin there. And then we went bouldering the next day and it, and it was incredible.

It was the most incredible experience. Yeah. So I have a fondness for our Pike's peak chapter or Denver chapter and a few others that I've run with. So I'm going to join you. If I could do anything, I would love to visit every Achilles' chapter and run with them. And so I'll go with you guys.

Joe Borchard: [00:30:14] mission accepted. So, , Christine and I, we have a motor home that we drive and we do a lot of national parks and we, we do a lot of traveling with it and we take our boys and our, our chocolate lab with us. But I think I'm going to paint that thing. Cosmic yellow, just right. Go Achilles on it.

And we're going to, we're going to travel next smer.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:30:35] I love that.

Christine Borchard: [00:30:36] this podcast on 

Joe Borchard: [00:30:37] the road. Oh no, we could.

We 

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:30:39] That's all you do. I love it. That's great.

Joe Borchard: [00:30:46] So Rebecca, , the purpose of our podcast is really to talk with people who work for, , charitable organizations, run for charitable organizations and really try to understand what motivates them to run and, and why do they run? So. Simply put, why do you run? Why do you volunteer? Why do you help out? ,

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:31:10] , so why do I run? , Well, I run for a few reasons. I run because I like to get outside and be in nature. I can clear my head. I can think about anything and just feel. I dunno, feel the escape of, of life, I guess. , that sounds strange.

Christine Borchard: [00:31:28] No,

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:31:29] , but it's also, I know it sounds strange. I run so I can keep staying healthy so that I can guide more.

And I've had a few injuries over the past couple of years and I. I still go to every Achilles workout, but I wasn't guiding, I wasn't running as much then. And so I just want to be able to do that again, but I run, I like the freedom of running. I like to be able to get out and if I'm away anywhere just to run and see different places, I think it's, I think it's great.

Christine Borchard: [00:32:00] I 

Joe Borchard: [00:32:00] was just going to jp on you because you brought up a really good point. I love like when we go to a new place and we have the opportunity to just go out for a quick run and get to explore something brand new. It's, there's something about it. It's theirs. You don't notice it when you're, when you're, when you're in your car.

You don't notice it when you're, you know, Taking a tour, but when you're just out there by yourself in a new place, lace up your sneakers and go out, there's just something so exciting about seeing. Exploring something new. 

Christine Borchard: [00:32:32] We don't mention the RV. I love running in the campground and sometimes it's not much of a run because it might be only a mile.

And I do it a couple of times, but I always come back and I'm like, Joe, this one RV had a setup and they had like a pizza maker and then like Joe runs out and gets a peek to make her, cause I just saw it on my run or I'll run by another one, a bad Joe. They have like flags on their roofs. Like, so. Just being able to run just in the campground.

It gives me ideas on what to I'm calling 

Joe Borchard: [00:32:57] BS. It was Joe, they've got a margarita machine. That was true. 

Christine Borchard: [00:33:02] That was true. They had 

Joe Borchard: [00:33:03] a bar drink. I saw this bar. It's true. They haven't been cleaned for the show full of it. 

Christine Borchard: [00:33:07] But my point is I do, I run when I run around, I can see like with other, even in my town too, I run around the town like.

I don't want to tell Joe my new plan, but I saw a house while I went for my run today. I'm like, that would look nice on our house. So I see different like, , plans, different flowers, different things I want to do to my house. So it's just, it's nice to get out there. 

Joe Borchard: [00:33:28] We

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:33:28] I think it's so great that you go to all these national parks. I love that. I mean, I, I tried, well, it wasn't intentionally, but I ended up trail running in Colorado once because I asked someone where to run and they just assed I wanted a trail. So I didn't have trail running shoes. It was a little slippery, but it was so beautiful and I loved every minute of it.

And I just, I agree. You just go anywhere new and. Everything around you is an adventure. So I think that's the best. I love that.

Joe Borchard: [00:34:01] , so Rebecca, you mentioned, , about Achilles the Achilles kids program. , I'm not, can you tell us a little bit about that? Cause I'm not that familiar with the, , the Achilles kids program.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:34:13] I can tell you a little bit, , so on. On Saturdays in central park, right where the Achilles adults meet the kids meet an hour earlier. And that is pretty much from what I understand set up ahead of time with guides and kids. And they will do loops around on the bridal path of central park, around the reservoir.

And we have, they do that three times a month. And then. Once a month, they meet at the JCC. In fact, I'm Janet Patton. Who's the head of our freedom team. She runs the kids program at the JCC. , And I have yet to go watch them. Cause that ends up being the same time as our workout, but I hear it's so much fun.

And as an addition to those workouts, with the kids, we're also in a lot of schools where we work with the PE department, , doing different kinds of. Races with the kids, virtual races, some children are in wheelchairs and it's, it's metal driven, it's distance driven. So I don't know enough to give you all of the information, but we run that in a lot of schools.

, I believe across the country, the only, , chapter that has a separate kids program with a great director is New York city. , so we have separate for kids and some of the people in our, some of our athletes now in our adult program have been. An Achilles kid, actually, they've grown up in Achilles and now they run with us and it's, yeah, it's pretty amazing there.

It's wonderful to watch them and their parents are there and everyone is cheering. Cause they, they start their runs the same time and, and they go around and it's really, it's really a very special program.

Joe Borchard: [00:35:55] We'll have to go in the city one time and when things open up and go check that

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:35:58] Yeah, I hope they do. I hope so. It's really, it's really, it's so special to watch and you have a lot of volunteers for that as well, but they sign up ahead of time.

Joe Borchard: [00:36:12] so Rebecca, , being a volunteer, , and, and part of Achilles, what advice would you give to somebody who wants to join? Whether they be an athlete or a guide?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:36:23] Right. Well, , it's gonna look a little different now, Achilles because of what's going on in the world with the pandemic. But I guess the advice I would give is not to be afraid of guiding because you're going basically, the way it has worked is that you would show up in central park and we would pair you, Mike.

Michael Anderson the head of our New York city chapter. He will stand there and he'll pair you up with an athlete. He'll ask an athlete, you know, how many miles do you want to run? And what is your pace? And, or we also have people walking. So if you show up, they're going to pair you with someone. And generally we, we.

Don't pair a new guide with an athlete who is blind. The first time we try to have two guides, at least with them in both cases, we try to do that. So even though you might be a little bit nervous to come, everybody is so warm and welcoming that don't let your nervousness stop you from showing up. It'll be the best experience you've ever had.

So I would say 

Christine Borchard: [00:37:23] you do get nervous, you know, I'm just thinking about my, for you. Do you get nervous? Cause you'd like be blind or any, you know, just running along some, somebody you don't know, it's just, am I going to have the right conversation? Am I going to hold this person back? Are they gonna like me? Is this,

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:37:38] Right. And

Christine Borchard: [00:37:39] get lost? 

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:37:40] Right. And we do a good job. You know, Michael generally will talk to the new volunteers before we start pairing people up and he'll give them some pointers. And, you know, some, some athletes do like conversation. Some, , may not be talking as much, but, , you know, we're there so that our athletes can get out and get the exercise and have the social connection, you know?

And so. You just being there, just showing up is already, you know, halfway. So the, the run or the walk or the, you know, the conversation or just the smile is really, really helpful. And it's just, it's really incredible. I, I miss it so much.

Joe Borchard: [00:38:23] I do soon, soon.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:38:24] Yeah, I think so. I think it'll look a little bit different. I think we may need to do, you know, an RSVP ahead of time so that we know, you know, who's coming to make sure we have guides.

Cause I, you know, New York. Sometimes we could have, you know, 50 guys standing there and, you know, fewer athletes and it's great to pair up a six people. But now with social distancing, we have to be a little bit, you know, handle it a little bit differently, but everyone's just waiting to start.

Joe Borchard: [00:38:53] Yeah. We're getting started. , this week in New Jersey

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:38:56] Oh really?

Joe Borchard: [00:38:56] our, , our chapter leader, he has created, , quarantines. And we're keeping our, our teams together and we're doing staggered starts and practicing social distancing, temperature, tape, taking masks. ,

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:39:10] Right. That's what it sounds like we're going to be doing once we feel that it's safe enough to do that. Oh, I'm sick. Whereas you guys are starting. I didn't know.

Christine Borchard: [00:39:19] yeah, we're a quarantine. So this way

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:39:23] I

Christine Borchard: [00:39:23] I hope, , I hope who Joe and I have. We'll be okay with being stuck with us during this quarter.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:39:29] Oh, I'm sure it will be very lucky.

Joe Borchard: [00:39:32] I was looking forward to being stuck with somebody else 

Christine Borchard: [00:39:36] to have somebody else in this mix of them just hit me. 

Joe Borchard: [00:39:38] Is this coring team here? I'm I'm I'm ready. I'm ready to, I'm ready to hand the Baton over on this corn team.

Christine Borchard: [00:39:45] You know what though? It's going to be difficult to run with the mask, but I'm also thinking.

Not that we're not training for something, but you know what, if we're going, we don't have to do the nine minute pace. We could do the 11 minute pace. We could do some walking and it just, just to get outside and to, , cause I know some of the athletes haven't, , done any running, you know, I I'm out there and Joe's out there and we're doing our own runner.

Solo runs. Our treadmill runs with some of our athletes haven't so it's, it's going to be different. Just have them just make sure we keep it safe. 

Joe Borchard: [00:40:15] it's more of the social piece. Just getting ready to connect again. You know, it's the social, emotional piece of, 

Christine Borchard: [00:40:23] well, we are missing a little of the social piece.

We're not hanging out before or after, you know that that's going, you know, I know all the athletes like to see each other until we are just meeting with our team and going, so there, you know, it's a, it's a modified social piece.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:40:36] One of our athletes said, well, in the tandem, are we six feet apart from each other, you know, person in front person behind? I'm not sure. I said, well, we'll have

Christine Borchard: [00:40:46] plexi glasses in between.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:40:48] Oh, that's a great idea. Yeah, that's funny. So that's not a bad idea. Get the plexiglass. So I don't know, little, little by little we'll we'll get there.

I mean, I know there are people running together because there've been in their pods already, you know, athlete and guides who were connected or they have their, you know, living together or something. So people are getting out, but there are a lot of people that are not. And, and the fact that you guys are even starting, I'm so thrilled to hear that.

I know other countries have started. It depends where, but I'm so thrilled to hear the New Jersey is starting. Do you know? Actually, when I, I was getting over an injury last year and I was going to do the, I was doing the seven yeah. Seven miler and your fearless leader. Joe. I saw him, I guess the day before.

And he said, I'll run with you. And I said, don't you have to guide somebody. And he said, Oh, it turns out his daughter guided someone. And I, I got there and I think, I don't know if you guys were there for that. A lot of New Jersey people were there that day. And he got me through that race and it was so much fun.

And I said, great. I'm so glad he guided me. It was a lot of fun.

 So I wanted to tell you one more story. That always makes me think of how, when I started Achilles, because, , Francesco was the first person I got it, but one of the second. People that I guided is, , a woman named Mary and Mary had been in an accident and she is an above the knee amputee.

And she came to Achilles right before I had that first fundraiser at my house. And I said, and she had just gotten her running blade and, but really hadn't used it. And I knew about another one of our athletes. Who's been. Running on a blade. And I said, you know what? You gotta meet him, come to my house and, you know, come meet him, come meet other people from Achilles.

She seemed pretty shy at the time, but she ended up coming to my house. She took the train from long Island and she met other people. And then after that, we, she decided, we decided she would come in on Tuesday afternoons now Achilles meets in the evening. She would come to my house, leave one of her legs.

, her walking leg at my house, put on her running leg. And then another athlete, , named Billy would meet her in the park and show her how to use her running blade. So we would be at engineer's gate where Achilles usually meets, but during the 12 in the afternoon, and he would teach her how to use it and then event.

And then we did this many weeks and sometimes if it rained, we just went to my house and they did some kind of workout for strength. And then another one of our, our athletes, , Rudy who also, he he's actually a Paralympic swimmer, a gold medalist, and he is a bilateral amputee and so wonderful. And he also joined us in the park to help Mary learn how to use her running blade.

And. It just warmed my heart that they gave their time. They came, they showed Mary and now to flash and then Mary and I would run around the reservoir and then she would do the Achilles later on. So Mary moved back to Texas for a little while, but when she came in last year to visit, it was. She was a different person.

She took the train from long Island in her running blade. She just came up the steps from the subway coming to Achilles. Hi everybody. And now she's, she's running. And I was supposed to guide her for the half marathon, but that's when the pandemic started and it got canceled. It would have been her first half.

And so when I think about Achilles, I have to just say, it's the, it's the family. It's everyone helping everyone. And no matter what. Kind of disability you have, or don't have everyone is really there for each other. So I just feel like I need to say that because to Mary and Francesco, my weeks were so filled with such incredible people in my life and it's just, it's just made my life so much fuller.

And I had to just share that story.

Joe Borchard: [00:44:54] That would have been an amazing, yeah. That would have been amazing run. , through that city half with her, it's going to happen. It's going

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:44:59] Well, she's back now. She moved back from, , so in to long Island and for sure, I can't wait. Yeah, yeah.

Joe Borchard: [00:45:06] it. As soon as we open up and you got, you already got your first, , guiding gig

so we're going into our next segment where Christine hits you with some, some hard questions. So, , be prepared.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:45:17] here are the math ones. Okay.

Joe Borchard: [00:45:19] Fifth grade math course, 

Christine Borchard: [00:45:21] which is the hardest math ever. All right.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:45:24] Yeah. I used to teach,

Christine Borchard: [00:45:25] line. Which grades did you

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:45:26] I taught first and second grade.

Christine Borchard: [00:45:28] , I taught second grade for one year. That math is okay. Fifth grade math is

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:45:34] Well, that was my second career. So first I would say I'm a CPA. So that was for one career, but I still couldn't do fifth grade math for, to save my life.

Christine Borchard: [00:45:43] That's all you need though. You just need fifth grade math and you can get the running thing. Alright, here we go. Finish line questions.  Nber one. What is your favorite distance that you run?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:46:00] I would say the half marathon.

Christine Borchard: [00:46:03] What is the favorite race that you've ever run?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:46:08] I guess that's the same. That's that's my favorite because it's the longest I was supposed to do the marathon and I was in, I got injured. So that would be my favorite. I mean, I actually love to run a 10 K cause you just feel so good at running around.

Christine Borchard: [00:46:21] Yeah, like the New York city marathon or the New York half or something out of state.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:46:25] I did the Staten Island half and because it was my first and I, you know, started the first one. Few minutes with Francesco and then he and his guide were much faster. I guess that was my favorite race of Staten Island half

Christine Borchard: [00:46:38] Favorite song that gets you motivated.

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:46:40] , I generally don't run with music much, but probably like Kelly Clarkson, like the heartbeat song. It just kind of gets me going.

Christine Borchard: [00:46:49] Joe, and I love clay Clarkson. 

Joe Borchard: [00:46:51] America's face is idle. 

Christine Borchard: [00:46:56] And the last question is, , your posts, your, , what do you eat after ratio post Reese meal?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:47:01] sometimes I eat peanut butter on toast with bananas, , and sometimes just like a huge bagel with tuna, 

but nothing that and chocolate chip cookies. My favorite favorite thing in the world.

Christine Borchard: [00:47:12] Okay 

Joe Borchard: [00:47:13] there, you have it. 

Good job. Good job. Alright, so there you have it folks. , we learned about Rebecca Linda mom, why she runs, how she helps out with Achilles, , the tri team she's, , looking forward to doing her first try, , next year, right?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:47:30] No, no, not at all, not the swimming part. I don't just help out with the tri team. I love all of the athletes is to try to miss was my, I guess my entry into it, but I do much more running than I do triathlon. So I love everybody and all of the athletes.

Joe Borchard: [00:47:46] Well, and if, , well we know the New York city marathon is not going on this year, but next year, if anybody decides to run for the 50th, if there's a. You come across the finish line, you're sure to see Rebecca they're smiling and greeting you as you come across the finish line. It's definitely a 

Christine Borchard: [00:48:02] dressed up for a cocktail party.

Joe Borchard: [00:48:03] Yes. Yes, get, I gotta get my, I gotta get a shirt and tie. Alright, so Rebecca, , real quickly, if, if people want to meet up with the New York team, , where, where do you meet and on what days?

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:48:19] So well, pre COVID, we would meet Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM and Saturday mornings at 10 at engineer's gate in central park, which is the entrance at 90th nine zero and fifth Avenue. But going forward, yeah. Check out our website and it'll give instructions about how and when we'll start to meet and most likely you'll need to RSVP in advance, but just take a look for those yellow shirts running around also

Joe Borchard: [00:48:48] All

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:48:48] it'll inspire you.

Joe Borchard: [00:48:49] It will. There you go. And there, we have it for another episode of I run, because don't forget to follow us on Facebook and check us out on Instagram. I run because all right, 

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:49:00] You guys are wonderful. 

Joe Borchard: [00:49:02] Rebecca. 

Christine Borchard: [00:49:03] Thank you

Rebecca Lindenba: [00:49:03] guys, you guys are the best.

  Joe Borchard: [00:49:06] Time to connect with hella and get an update on the run everyday challenge.

Hellah Sidibe: [00:49:10] So for week 10, we're going to up it up a notch. So we're going to start going, , six miles anywhere between six to 10 miles, , going at your five K pace. If you can push it, , six mile minim, if you can get up to 10 miles, that'd be great. But if not, no problem. And, , the following day after that, of the first day of week 10, Try to see if you can do another hit work.

I'm a temple work or interval, anything like that. You don't necessarily have to get out there and run a long distance again. And third day of week, 10 will rest. And then fourth day we 10 we'll rest again. And then we pick it up and we're going to run a nice, easy three, four miles just to get back up into it.

And, , around the, the fifth, sixth day, we're going to pick it up again and see if we can cover six to seven miles. And then. Sunday of that week, the last day of that week go for a long cruiser, trying to aim anywhere between 10 to half marathon distance, very comfortable, conversational pace. , no, nothing that has to do with speed.

Just slow yourself down just to focus on that, that muscular strength and the Scatalog strengths that you will need to kind of endure this distance when you get to race day.

  Joe Borchard: [00:50:22] thanks everyone for listening. We really hope you enjoyed those amazing stories. They are truly inspiring people. We get to talk to here and are forever grateful. Make sure to share this episode with your friends via social networks. We need these athletes and guides stories to get out there.

So until next time, I'm Joe 

Christine Borchard: [00:50:41] and 

I'm Christine. Thank you for listening.