Running Free: Nostalgia

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Nostalgia

I found this pic the other day and it brought back a lot of memories. This pic was probably taken about 17 years ago. I was running 19 min. a day then, three times a week. I used my stairclimber on the other days. Why I ran 19 min. a day, I am really not sure. I do know that it took me 19 min. to do this certain run and I never ever did more than that. I would drop Courtney off at my friend Patty's house (next door), and then after my big run we would have coffee while the kids played. This pic is of my two daughters and the neighborhood girls. I don't recall why my son is not in the picture, but I am assuming that he didn't want to be THAT close, to that many GIRLS.

This weekend has been very cold and windy. I ran with Wally both days and it was nice to be out on the trails without rain. Next weekend I am running the Lake Sonoma 50 miler and my goal is to finish faster than last year. Last year my time was 9:53, and it was ficken blasting HOT. If we have a cooler day this year, I should be able to beat that time. We'll see!

I am excited to tell you that I am going to the Grand Canyon to run the r2r2r in May. We are going to have an absolute blast! I did this run 2 years ago, and it was so much fun. A real adventure. Let me rephrase that, it was a real tough adventure. But hey, after TCC nothing is too tough!

I am happy to report that I am still employed. I don't want to complain about my job because I am just so thankful to be working. Times are tough and we must continue to move forward with a positive attitude. When I look around and see so many people struggling with their health and so many other issues, I have to be thankful for what I have. Stress can kill you, so in this trying time, try to get out in the fresh air and MOVE. You will be so much happier for doing so.

Don't brood. Get on with living and loving. You don't have forever. Leo Buscaglia

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: Kelly,
You always seem to say the right positive words. I wish all the negative people in the world would stop...and read your blogs about life and stress and getting the most of theirselves...before they don't get the option to change their attitude.
Good luck this weekend! My kids and I will have the pleasure of seeing you twice at Liberty Glen aid station. Since that is at the top of a hill for everyone in both directions, I'm expecting to see some tired looks on some runners' faces. I guess our job is to help you smile when you get there. Stay cool!!!!
Todd; March 25, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Deanna Stoppler said...: Kelly,

I always enjoy reading your blog. I have your mom in my thoughts.; March 26, 2009 at 5:40 AM
Valerie said...: This is an adorable picture of you and your girls!!!; March 26, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Drs. Cynthia and David said...: And you're even prettier now!

Good luck at Sonoma!

Cynthia; March 27, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Victoria said...: That is so inspiring to hear that you were running 19 minutes then and now... well, lots more than 19 minutes and I'm sure a lot faster!

Good luck at Lake Sonoma this weekend!; March 28, 2009 at 1:44 PM
shawn said...: aww... such an adorable photo!!!! They sure grow up quickly, don't they!??!?; April 6, 2009 at 12:10 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.''