Running Free

Monday, September 17, 2007

Today is a better day. I can smile today and laugh at myself. Yesterday was one of those days when I felt like maybe I wasn't going to get better. I found myself feeling silently anxious, nervous about how sick I felt.

I hate feeling sick. I hate not having abundant energy and having my mind be blank. I am one of those people who thrive on activity. I am always thinking about trips that may or may not happen and places I must see before I leave this life. So much to see, so little time. Yes, today is a good day.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of Wasatch. Put it on your list of to do's. It is a beautiful race worth experiencing. Have a great day.

When you're told that you have some kind of physical affliction, you can either prepare to suffer or prepare to heal. Wayne Dyer

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: Kelly,

So glad to hear you are ok. I was following along during the event as much as I could, and knew something was wrong, but saw that you finished. Then your blog stayed quiet, so I figured you were just resting or vacationing. So I just read all of this. WOW! What a champion you are. We all hope for the perfect race, but your character shows through when things don't go your way and you have to overcome the obsticles. I'm happy you are recovering and doing well. How odd that you have these issues at Wasatch. In any case, what a super performance, thank goodness you are recovering and not having additional serious issues. Be careful out there!

Congratulations to you.; September 17, 2007 at 5:22 PM
Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...: Hi My Strong Don't Quit Friend, SOOOOOOOOOOOO Glad today was a better day for you... You have been in my prayers.

Heal UP!! and Look forward to meeting you at an Ultra Event in 2008' and it's NOT Wasatch OK :-); September 17, 2007 at 7:57 PM
kelly said...: Thanks, Dave. Boy, I bet you are glad that you didn't pace me, huh? I would have felt really bad if you had come all that way. Sounds like you are doing well and ready for your bike race. I can't wait to see how you do. I know you will do great out there.; September 19, 2007 at 8:58 AM
GB said...: Those are great pictures, Kelly. And I hope you get back to feeling yourself again soon. I know what you mean about thriving on activity. Hang in there. You'll be out there abusing your body (just kiddin) again before you know it.; September 19, 2007 at 9:14 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.''