Blood, Sweat, Tears and Affirmation
On December 9, 2023, I stepped up to the starting line of South Carolina’s Kiawah Island Half Marathon and did something I rarely do at the start of a race: I practiced square breathing. I’m no stranger to race morning butterflies, but this was different. After all, I was about to attempt something not just difficult but also extremely dangerous — set the world record for fastest blindfolded half marathon by a female, without a tether, on a live course with thousands of other runners, with a surgically reconstructed and synthetically supported left ankle.
Today, 719 days later, the result of that wild attempt is finally ratified. I’m the world record holder for fastest blindfolded half marathon by a female.
This isn’t just any world record. It’s validation of the literal blood, sweat and tears that went into breaking it. Recognition of my selfless guide, Andrew Swistak, whose name belongs on the record just as much as mine.
Most of all, it’s affirmation of just how far I’m willing to go to honor my late sister, Taylor. Because no matter how hard it was to break this record (and believe me when I say it was HARD), what Taylor did was tougher. Given a death sentence at age 7, my sister taught me how to LIVE. She defied logic and shattered expectations, and she did it fearlessly.
From when I pulled the blindfold down over my eyes to the moment my son hung a medal around my neck one hour, 57 minutes and nine seconds later, I was in total darkness. But while I never SAW the record-breaking event unfolding around me, I felt it in every fiber of my being. Record or not, no one can ever take that experience from me.
As excited as I am to share this news, I need a little more time getting used to seeing the record in black and white. This isn’t the last time you’ll hear about it (a documentary film is in post-production — wink, wink), but for now, I’ll leave you with these words, which Andrew recited with breathless fervor in the final few miles of that arduous race:
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40:31
Stay tuned for updates on this journey and the film documenting it here on my website and at https://blindmomentum.com/. You can also follow us on Instagram @laurakingedwards and @blindmomentum.
Want to support the production of the film or just drop a note? Contact me.
