Running Free: Did I really just join Facebook?

Friday, December 12, 2008

Did I really just join Facebook?

I finally broke down and joined Facebook. I may regret it, though. It looks complicated and confusing. I don't know. I will give it a go for a few weeks and see if I can figure out what a poke is or what writing on my wall means. With this ADD mind of mine, it all seems too much. I want to scream, "Stop the bus, I want to get off." HELP!!

This morning a group of running friends and I are running a long run that will take us from Pt. Reyes to the Golden Gate Bridge. It is all trail and is a beautiful route. This years route is slightly shorter at approximately 60-65 miles in length. The weather calls for rain so I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the rain will wait until Sunday. I will be wearing my Drymax socks and it will be a good test wearing them out in the rain and muck. I will let you know how they perform. Have a wonderful day of shopping or doing whatever you want to do or HAVE to do. PEACE OUT!!

6 comments:

Olga said...: Kelly. I joined Facebook a year ago, and it was overwhelming only for a couple of weeks, when everybody joins as a friend. Once I realized I can't commit my time to follow it, I just stopped going there and only respond when get a note on the wall. It's that simple:) It is your decision what is it going to be - a mean of communication with friends and trying to keep up with everybody, or just a place for an occasional visit.; December 13, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Bob - BlogMYruns.com said...: Stop the bus, I want to get off." HELP!!
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lol ya I am not on dat Facebook bus yet and I think I will keep it that way :-)

Hope u had a great run today!; December 13, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Mechelle said...: I'm with you! I just received an email from a friend today suggesting that I join. I have trouble keeping up with the blog and to learn something all new, ugh.

Good luck with your new quest!; December 15, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Victoria said...: Ooh! Facebook is fun! It's a great way to find out useless information about people you know. Exciting things like "Drinking coffee," or "Got back from a rainy run."

Feel free to friend me... ha! (Plus, Facebook turned the word "friend" into a verb.); December 15, 2008 at 12:51 PM
kelly said...: Well, everyone, this facebook is alot of gibberish if you ask me. I am kinda liking it though! Once I figure it out, I will probably really enjoy it. We'll see. Thanks everyone for the notes.; December 15, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Mark Tanaka (Ultrailnakaman) said...: it does have the potential to make you lose time to run, blog and other things you love, but does keep you connected. if i invite you play Scrabble, don't accept!; December 19, 2008 at 9:14 AM

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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.''