Running Free: My First Western States 100

Friday, May 18, 2007

My First Western States 100

In 2004, I ran Western States 100 as my first 100miler. My family and friends filmed my every move. I watched that tape last night for the first time in two years. It was awesome and I enjoyed it so much. I had to laugh quite a few times when I saw the funny and dumb things I did prior to the race. First of all, I think I counted nine burritos, several peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cut up fruit, gels, energy bars, and lots of other so called "tasty treats", that I had my Mom, Matt and the kids making the night before. Everything was fresh and wrapped in plastic. There was so much food, that we could have fed several people for a couple of days. The funny thing about that is that I have a problem taking in solid food in races!! I don't think I ate anything that my poor crew made me! I thought I was being so prepared.

Secondly, I watched with impatience, the time I spent at the aid stations with my crew. I enjoyed back rubs and everything else a loving crew that has no time limits can deliver. Sponge baths, application of sunscreen and bug spray, sock changes and tlc. Wow, how the time clock flies when you are out there standing still!!

There are so many things that you learn at your first 100. I hope not to repeat them again this year. One thing I do want to do the same and that is to enjoy the whole experience. I want to be present enough that I take time to enjoy the journey and remember how thankful I am to be able to be fit enough to attempt an incredible adventure like the Western States 100.

Two years ago as I stood before the start line of that race, I knew that I would finish. I have lupus and I think many people didn't believe that I could. Living with Lupus has put a lot of obstacles on my trail. As an ultra runner, running races with the Montrail/Nathan logo on my shirt is a reminder that I am strong and capable of doing anything I put my mind to. I choose to be happy, healthy and fit. Ultra runners continually motivate me to be everything I want to be. I encourage you to go out and be ALL you can be. BELIEVE in yourself!!

You can count off the days.......or you can make them count. Like all things in life it is ones attitude that matters.

2 comments:

GB said...: Hi Kelly, thanks so much for visiting and commenting on my blog. I'm going to look into ways to massage that tendon because I don't want it to get worse.

I am in awe of ultra runners and hope to tackle an ultra someday. I have unfinished business with the marathon distance though and want to concentrate on that this year.

You are very motivating and inspiring! It is so great that you run as hard as you do with Lupus. The WS100!!! Very, very awesome!

I love your runningskirts, by the way. :); May 20, 2007 at 12:27 PM
Anonymous said...: Being there as a support to you was incredibly awe-inspiring for me. I still do not know all the ways it is affecting me still, but I feel I am different because of that experience of watching you and the other ultra runners. I'm so very proud of you. And, I say that with a now blurred vision with happy tears in my eyes.

Your sister, Shawn; May 21, 2007 at 2:07 PM

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Not Even Lupus Can Slow Ridgway

NOT EVEN LUPUS CAN SLOW RIDGWAY Published on June 26, 2004 © 2004- The Press Democrat BYLINE: BRUCE MEADOWS Three years ago when she was diagnosed with lupus, Kelly Ridgway didn't take much time plotting her course. ``I figured I could lay on the couch and be a drug-seeker for pain or I could choose to be as healthy as I can be,'' said Ridgway, 46, an outpatient surgery nurse at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Ridgway, defying the odds, is entered in the Western States 100 Endurance Run, which starts at the base of Squaw Valley at 5 this morning and ends 100 miles away in Auburn. ``I see people at the hospital in horrible shape because of lupus, but I realized I had a choice how to deal with it,'' Ridgway said. Lupus is a chronic auto-immune disease affecting mainly women. The immune system attacks the body's own tissues as a foreign substance, producing antibodies to fight it. The cause of the disease is unknown although research has shown it occurs when a specific set of susceptible genes is exposed to a combination of environmental factors such as infectious agents, certain drugs, excessive ultraviolet light, physical trauma or emotional stress. Ridgway said she has been a ``serious runner'' for 14 years and has also competed in 50- and 100-mile events on horseback. She started running to get in shape after the last of her three children -- Caleb (18), Chelsea (16) and Courtney (14) -- were born. ``I've found I really love ultras,'' said Ridgway, a single mother who graduated from Montgomery High, then earned a nursing degree from Santa Rosa JC. Dr. Lisa Kremer, Ridgway's rheumatologist said, fatigue is the most universal symptom of lupus. ``For somebody to run 100 miles with an auto-immune disease is incredible.'' Ridgway first experienced flu-like symptoms, then fatigue. ``But when I started having problems with cognitive stuff, I knew there was something more to it.'' She was having trouble doing simple math or even finding her way around town. ``I thought of all sorts of things, including a brain tumor,'' said Ridgway. Ridgway has been training with Santa Rosan Karen Hanke, 42, and Suzanna Bon, 39 of Sonoma. This is the second Western States for Hanke, who finished last year in 29 hours, 47 minutes, running the last 70 miles on severely blistered feet. It is the first Western States for Ridgway and Bon. Because of the glut of applicants -- more than 1,000 annually apply for 400 spots -- runners must not only qualify with an acceptable 50-mile run time but also get lucky by having their name drawn by lot. Bon, whose goal is ``just to finish although I'd love to do it in under 24 hours,'' is impressed with Ridgway's effort. ``Kelly is strong and smart about training,'' said Bon. ``We'll run at our own pace this weekend, not together, but we want to do the best we can.'' Ridgway sees herself as a runner who happens to have lupus. ``My case is relatively minor and medication has really helped,'' said Ridgway, who logs 75 miles a week. ``But I don't know anybody with lupus who runs as much as I do.'' She has bouts of fatigue and deals with them. ``There are days I am really tired and need to come home and rest for a while,'' she said. But this weekend there will no place to rest. ``I'm not the type to quit,'' she said. ``I will persevere.'' Kremer said people with lupus react differently to the disease. ``Some have a real tough time with it and others take it as a challenge,'' said the doctor. ``In general, a disease like lupus provokes self-evaluation ... some patients look at it as a way to straighten out their lives, physically and socially.'' Kremer said most lupus patients with a positive outlook exercise to some degree. ``For them, making an effort is a personal victory.'' Ridgway, who left for Squaw Valley Thursday, has been on the Western States course before, having competed in the Tevis Cup horse race and also working the run the past two years as a medical helper. ``It's beautiful ... I fell in love with the trail,'' she said. ``I'm excited but not nervous.'' Ridgway will be tested following the race to determine how running 100 miles affects a lupus patient. ``I know I am capable of doing this.'' She likes to run, even 100 miles, because it makes her feel healthy and alive. ``Maybe in some ways this will speak to people who are trying to make choices,'' she said. ``You can push ahead and take charge of your life.''