Running Free: Wow, what a week!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Wow, what a week!

Wow, what a week I have had!

It all started on Friday, June 6th. A typical early summer day that happened to be my Birthday. Matt stayed home from work and he and I had a nice short run and I tried to get use to the idea that I was now a half century old! We celebrated with family later Friday evening at a nice restaurant in Santa Rosa. There was about 15 people there and we had a blast. We ended the evening by going to my Brother and Sister in laws house and having cake and opening presents. I was so lucky to have so many nice gifts from everyone and it was just so special. At the end of my gift opening, Matt handed me "one last card". I opened it up and was just shocked and at a loss for words. Matt's card to me read...Kelly,
Get your passport, call in sick, because you are going to The Coastal Challenge 2009!
I just about burst out crying with surprise and excitement. The Coastal Challenge is a stage race in Costa Rica. He and I will be going there for 15 days. I will be racing there for 6 days through the Rainforest! I am just so excited I can't see straight. What a special gift from such a special man! I am truly blessed. This gift is especially unique because he went outside of the box for this gift. He knew that this adventure would be the best gift anyone could ever give me. This stage race is not something that he would be interested in doing, but he knew that I would love it. He loves me THAT much. I am a lucky gal.

The race starts February 1st. I know a few people who have done it, so I will be contacting them about the details of what to bring. Neither Matt or I have ever been to Costa Rica so we are totally jazzed about going.

Sunday, I ran the Auburn 50k in Auburn, Ca. It was run over some of the Western States trail. It was hot and dry but I had a good run despite not feeling as good as I would have liked. I came in 2nd to Beverly Anderson-Abbs and 8th overall. I was 1st in my new age group. We finished off the day at a Graduation Party for Matt's nephew and had a nice time there.

Monday was Matt's Birthday and we went out to lunch in Healdsburg and had a BBQ with family at home that evening. We had a nice day spending it together.

I am truly blessed and very excited as I start my 50th year. I have lots of running to do and a whole lot of training ahead of me. I want to be in the best shape of my life this year. Come on 2008, bring it on!

7 comments:

Doodlestreet said...: You're spirit is so awesome, Kelly... You totally ROCK! And "holy- jumpin'-up-and-down-martha!" That fella of yers is a KEEPER!! Sweet gift!!

Best wishes for that young fifty!; June 12, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Peter Lubbers said...: Hi Kelly,
What a great gift! You're going to have a great time there.
It was nice to meet you at Cool.

Consider yourself tagged (to answer 5 questions).

Take care,
Peter; June 13, 2008 at 12:03 AM
kelly said...: Thanks, Doodlestreet! Yeah, I think I'll keep him!; June 13, 2008 at 7:24 AM
kelly said...: Peter, great job at Cool. It was also a pleasure meeting you too. So, you tagged me, huh? Okay......; June 13, 2008 at 7:25 AM
Meghan said...: Kelly,

Hi! You can feel free to email me off blog for Coastal Challenge questions. I am happy to answer as best as I can. mamamiamba at yahoo dot com. The Coastal Challenge is an amazing, life-changing experience.

Meghan; June 17, 2008 at 2:35 AM
Julie B said...: 50 is looking pretty darn good! Happy Belated Birthday. Man, what a gift from Matt!! You'll be able to enjoy the gift forever..the preperation, the race, the memories of the fun you will have there. Truly, a gift that keeps giving.; June 20, 2008 at 10:56 AM
kelly said...: Yeah, I am still totally stoked about my gift and trip. You are right, it is a gift that will keep giving. Thanks for stopping by!; June 20, 2008 at 1:39 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.''