Running Free: A rough week

Friday, November 7, 2008

A rough week

It's been a rough week. Wow, I wasn't sure if I was dying or just being a hypochondriac. I had a headache for 8 days and I was butt tired. Running was a major chore and my eyes and face felt like they belonged to a seriously sick person. The only thing that sounded exciting was sleeping. That is not me, people. Yesterday I pushed and pulled myself out the door to do a LONG run with Suzanna. I tried to be positive and pushed myself to do the best that I could. It was brutal and it hurt. Mentally, I wanted to throw the towel in, but that would only mean that I would have to turn around and run or walk LONG alone. It just wasn't going to happen. By the time we finished, I was feeling better. It felt good to be running in beautiful weather with my good friend. We had a lot of catching up to do. Running and talking while sucking air made for some interesting conversations. I think I started talking only to restart several times, as the hills were killing me.

Today, I am glad to announce that I AM BACK! I woke feeling so much better and I do believe that I will live to see another hill. Suzanna and I ran for 2.5 hours today and it really was enjoyable. The weather is amazing and I am thankful to be feeling alive again.

This afternoon, Matt and I went to Tom's Memorial service. It was a true celebration of his incredible life. I saw so many old friends there and it was really cool to hear all the stories about his amazing life. Tom is with his maker now and I know that brings so much happiness to his wife Sandie and to their 3 sons. Rest in peace, my friend, you are loved and will never be forgotten.

1 comment:

HappyTrails said...: So glad you are feeling better. Ironically, one of our customers mentioned last week that she struggles with restless leg syndrome. She is on other meds for other problems (she's in her 70's) so was reluctant to try more med for the RLS. Her doc recommended trying Canada Dry Tonic water - the quinine (sp) in it supposedly helps. She swore to me that it has helped her. Don't know if it's an old wives tale but it might be worth trying if you haven't already-it would be cheap and pretty benign fix! Keep feeling better!
K; November 9, 2008 at 8:38 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.''