Running Free

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Hardrock 100- Photo by Klas Erklof

"Brick walls are there for a reason, brick walls are not there to keep us out, but to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. They are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough."

"It's not about how to achieve your dreams, it's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself; the dreams will come to you."
both quotes by: Randy Pausch

6 comments:

Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...: Two Great Quotes...and sounds like someone is itching to get out and MOVE that body--lol

Hope ur recovering well Hun; September 23, 2007 at 7:54 AM
Carey said...: I always enjoy your quotes and they seem to be exactly what I need at the time! As you know my world was turned upside down recently and I'm trying to figure out what to do and where to go next; patience is key and I believe that if I learn from my past and better myself for the future the right doors will open. Pretty much like the quote says. I saw that you checked out Gabe's blog; what an amazing transformation, huh!?! He's a great person and a good friend.
You are in my thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery.
- Carey; September 23, 2007 at 7:08 PM
kelly said...: Thanks Bob!! Yes, I am itching to get out and move this body!! Help, I've fallen, and I can't get up!; September 24, 2007 at 7:08 AM
kelly said...: Carey, hang in there, you are right about patience being the key. It's hard sometimes though. Be the best you can be and everything will fall into place. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.; September 24, 2007 at 7:11 AM
Anonymous said...: Kelly, nice picture from Hardrock, it brings back some great memories.

I just returned from a week backpacking in the high sierra, climbed Mount Brewer. Got up to the top on the last day before the snows arrived.

I am shocked to hear about your wasatch redux and very happy to know that you are well and recovering. Hope you come down and run PCTR Stinson or Muir Beach races.

- k; September 24, 2007 at 5:53 PM
kelly said...: Hey Klas, sounds like a blast backpacking. I would love to climb Shasta or Whitney this next year. Have you climbed either of them? I hope to see you out on the trails before too long. I hope you don't mind that I used your photo. I just love that pic.; September 25, 2007 at 4:54 PM

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.''