Artists and athletes study, practice, dream and dedicate themselves to their passion. Runner and sculptor Luanne Burke lives in both these worlds. It’s hardly a conventional life but Luanne isn’t someone who limits herself.
She’s been legally blind since 19 with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare, inherited disease. This hasn’t slowed down her desire to take on new challenges.
 WRT met Luanne and her running guide Deb Conley at the 2009 US Masters National Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Like many at the meet, we were impressed with Luanne’s performances in the 800 and 1500m. Racing is hard enough but imagine doing it blind. We were curious to know her story…
The RunDown
Luanne Burke, Age, 48.
Runner, skier, sculptor and artist.
Lives in Lyons, Colorado with her German shepherd, Mike.
Luanne's Art & Sculpture Website
Luanne Burke (L) & Deb Conley (R)
2009 USTAF Masters Nationals, Oshkosh Racing
WRT: How was your first US Masters T&F champs?
Luanne Burke: Great, I loved the competition. I’d raced track at the 2008 Rocky Mountain State Games but Oshkosh was my first big track meet. It was cool hanging at the track with everyone focusing on their races.
WRT: Did you get to know any of the other athletes?
Luanne: I met the Athena girls who were very nice. Karen Steen, who smoked us in the 1500, came up afterwards and told me that I’m an inspiration. That cracked me up. She was so fast and thought I was the inspiration!
WRT: You made the American team for the 2009 IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) Pan-American Games how did that go?
Luanne: I got this letter saying we’ve picked you for the team. I paid the entry fees, bought two uniforms, one for me and one for my guide. Then they wanted more money ($475) for my guide to run. So I canceled and I think others did too. It was pretty silly really and I’ve got no idea what it was all about. But I’m glad I didn’t go; there was no real competition for me.
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Why Running?
WRT: How did you get into track?
Luanne: Last year I wanted to run a race on my birthday. I called Rich Castro, a big race organizer here in Boulder. He put out an email and Deb Conely replied. We met the morning of the road race. Actually she picked me up. Afterwards, Deb said, “You’re really good”. She called a week later and asked, “Wanna do a track meet?” I didn’t really care cause I thought I’m not going to win.
 WRT: So winning is what motivates you?
Luanne: Well, it took me until 47 to realize that winning isn’t the only thing. Running on the track is so freeing.
There’s nothing to run into. I never knew that I could run around a track. Plus, racing is fun, especially the 400; I just stay in my lane.
Photo courtesy of Ken Stone WRT: Not all track runners would agree that the 400 is fun. What’s it like, can you hear and feel where the other runners are?
Luanne: I can hear people around me but I can’t see them except for this one guy. He runs for the Colorado Road Runners. He is huge and wears big baggy t-shirts.
Top of Page On the Horizon
WRT: What’s next for your running?
Luanne Burke: I ran this cross country race last year. (Editor’s note: Luanne was second woman in the 2008 USATF National Disability 5K X-C Championship.) There was torrential rain and mud. I absolutely loved it. But I don’t think Deb enjoyed it quite as much. I might even try indoor track. But that clashes with the ski season. Last winter I started skiing again, which I truly love. I want to try to run and ski this year.
WRT: I read that you were a competitive skier. That’s so inspiring, having the courage to hurl yourself down a slope.
Luanne: I’ve don’t see myself that way. I was just doing my thing, skiing seven days a week and racing. Luckily I was sponsored. I met this blind guy from Texas who’d saved his money for a year so he could ski for the first time. He was so happy to be there. I was more humbled hearing his story.
 An Artist is Born
WRT: You’re a sculptor, how did that come about?
Luanne Burke: I was born an artist, it’s the way I see things and the way I dream. I did a personality test in my 30’s and got all the markers.
I studied painting and drawing for seven years and have a degree. I can see heavy oils and dramatic color but no longer watercolors. I’m mostly working with clay and do a lot of patterning then paint over it. It’s very textual work.
I love to watch people, notice their gestures or stance and convey that in my work. Every piece is a journey. What’s this going tell me, teach me?
Luanne's Art & Sculpture WRT: Do you work from home?
Luanne: I’m a member of a local potters guild and work from there 3-4 days a week. The days are long as it’s a bus ride away. Once I get into a project it takes a month or two to complete.
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A Foot in Two Worlds
WRT: How do you mix your sport with your art?
Luanne Burke: The lifestyles are quite different. It’s very difficult to be focused on both. Art is a whole different world; you have to let yourself go. My mind goes to another place, it’s very cool, and I can be there for weeks.
Competitive running isn’t really compatible with art. When you’re racing you have to be aware, make choices to do things and not let your mind wander.
WRT: Has it been tough living this sort of a life?
Luanne: I’ve totally accepted that I’m not in the mainstream and I’m comfortable with that. Living this way is a huge sacrifice. My mother, Joanne Burke, is an artist and once said, “I should have done this or that…” But I told her can you imagine if all these painting hadn’t been painted?
 Role Models
WRT: So you got your artistry from your mother?
Luanne Burke: Yes, she did some beautiful paintings and showed in galleries. Growing up I saw her stuff laying around, fabulous drawings of Michelangelo, etc. I’d look at these human beings and think aren’t they incredible.
WRT: Who were your sporting influences?
Luanne: I come from a family of artists and athletes. I'm the youngest with three older brothers. I was always trying to keep up. One was a swimmer and another did track. I was this tiny girl, saying I’m going to do that. I think my father was surprised and pleased that I was the one who kept playing sport.
Luanne's Art & Sculpture Also my art teacher Mr. Guffie was a great example. He’d been in the marines, had big muscles and was a beautiful artist. I’d see him out running eight miles with 10 pounds weights in his hands. It was so inspiring to see this artist and athlete. He really got me. More that anyone else he knew what it was like to be in both worlds.
A Young Girl’s Dream
WRT: Did you want to do any other sport in school?
Luanne Burke: I wanted to be a cheerleader but was too self-conscious. All my friends were cheerleaders but I was too afraid to try out. Then in my 30’s I read that there’s no age limit for cheerleaders. I thought I still have a chance! I wanted the outfit, the cute skirt and sweater and to jump around and make lots of noise.
Luanne has come a long way from that young girl yearning for pom-poms. Now she’s got plenty of people cheering her courage, creativity and zest
for life.
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i believe this website is great for kids i am a teacher and i would like to use this for my class it would be very useful for my 3rd grade class amazing ...
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