There were only two weeks left before the Paralympics in Athens when Avery received the call from his friend. Although there was a lot to learn about the sport in a short time, Avery was excited to embrace the chance to do something meaningful for more than just himself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis was an opportunity for me to not only be in the sports still, but also see what I could do to help others,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Avery took up the offer and arrived in Athens, he wasn\u2019t designated as the main guide runner. Instead, he was asked to work with a long jumper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was just gonna be clapping him down the runway while he jumps in the pit,\u201d the track-and-field star said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But an injury to one of the guide runners opened up an opportunity for the rookie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe guide runner that was running with one of our main athletes, ended up pulling his hamstring,\u201d Avery said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when the inexperienced guide runner stepped into the position that would forever change his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI ended up literally getting thrown into the wolves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former Fresno City College standout would soon learn about the fine details of guide running. He would learn that the sport requires two people to be in perfect synchronization as they sprint side-by-side with their fingers tethered together for the entire race. And he would learn that communication between the two runners is required from the starting block to the very last second. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a rhythm thing,\u201d Avery said. \u201cYou\u2019re touching the ground, you\u2019re coming back up, you have to be in sync. From the side view, it\u2019s supposed to look like one person running.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately for Avery, he was already used to talking while running, a skill which is key for guide runners as they communicate with their partners.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a kid growing up, when I was racing other kids on the street, on the grass, we would just run alongside each other and just talk smack,\u201d he said. \u201cSo a little bit of this already prepared me to be a guide runner.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he was at family reunions as a child, Avery learned some other techniques that would also help him master the art of synchronizing with his partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe would have the three-legged race,\u201d he said. \u201cI definitely think that played a part in how I was able to adopt really well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avery, who proclaims himself as a great dancer, points to his dancing skills as yet another attribute that has contributed to his success in guide running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI like to brag a little bit and say I got great dance moves,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m able to guide someone and be in sync with someone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n