Running Free: A Wonderful Day In December

Our epic run from Pt. Reyes to the Golden Gate Bridge became a reality at about midnight on Saturday night. We started our adventure at 5:00am, and ended about 73 miles later at the Golden Gate Bridge on a beautiful crystalline night with stars and crisp clear air. Suzanna, Leslie, Karen, Chris, Rob, Scott, Mark, and I ran the early morning hours together sharing funny stories and enjoying the beautiful clear day. After the first 22 miles or so, our running friends went their separate ways and Suzanna, Chris and I continued on our planned route. Our friend Jeff was our crew and aid station guy all day and made our experience so much sweeter. Thank you Jeff!! Chris and I saw a LARGE Mountain Lion on Mt. Tam. and I was disappointed that I didn't get a picture. I was poised for a "kodak moment." This run was an experience that I will remember for many years to come. We experienced so much out there. We were out there to see the sun come up and we saw the sun go down. We enjoyed each others company and played games with each other when we got tired. I am so thankful for a great run on a beautiful day.

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.''

8 comments:

Dave - Atlanta Trails said...: Wow! That sounds like a wonderful experience!; December 11, 2007 at 6:44 AM
Olga said...: 73 miles...Kelly, this is insane - in a good way:O You rock!; December 11, 2007 at 9:52 AM
Anonymous said...: What brand is your hydration pack?; December 12, 2007 at 6:58 AM
kelly said...: Jeffro, it is the Ultimate Direction Wasp. It is a great pack with pockets in the front and lots of room for food and other things. It doesn't bounce or bother me in any way. I think you would love it.; December 12, 2007 at 9:16 AM
Anonymous said...: Thanks Kelly. I had not heard of that brand before, but I was admiring the large pockets on the front. Is the fill cap easily accessed for refilling during long runs.; December 12, 2007 at 12:11 PM
kelly said...: Hey jeffro, I changed my bladder to the Camelbak bladder. It is a nalgene bladder with a large opening for easy filling. I have used it many many times without problems.; December 15, 2007 at 6:48 AM
Jeffro said...: Kelly,
Thanks for the info. I still have a lot to learn about ultra running, but you and a few other bloggers have been a great source for information and inspiration. Thanks.; December 15, 2007 at 9:34 AM
Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...: Great Re-Cap & Pics!!; December 17, 2007 at 7:14 AM

Monday, December 10, 2007

A Wonderful Day In December

8 comments: