Running Free

Thursday, January 14, 2010

As per usual, I have been slacking on my blog writing. It just seems really hard to get everything that needs to get done, done. My running has been going well. Not great, but well. After being on a gluten free diet for over a month, I have thrown in the towel. I gave it my best, and decided that maybe the diet isn't really for me. I had hoped that it would help me with my pain issues that keep me restless during the night, and stomach issues that haunt me during my runs, (literally), but I just didn't have enough power in my legs during my uphill running. I realize that I need more Carbs in order to push during my runs. I have eaten a low carb diet for over a year now with good results, but completely eliminating gluten makes me feel really sluggish during intense exercise. That is just not going to work for me. I will continue to eat as I have been doing for the last year or more and try other remedies for my sleep and pain issues. Everything in moderation. It always comes back to that, huh? I am glad that I am open to trying new things. I would much rather try dealing with my problems with diet as opposed to medication. I wish there was an easy answer.

I find out on Monday if I am selected for the UTMB lottery. 6500 people have entered with only 2000 spots, or something like that. I guess the odds are not bad considering they are better than what they were for getting into WS 100. Several of my good friends got into States, so my chances of getting into Mont Blanc are looking better than grim. I must stay positive! If UTMB doesn't pan out, then I will go to plan B, which is who knows what. I have some ideas, but nothing concrete until Monday. In the meantime, I am sweating over achy knees and sore toes. I guess in the large scheme of things, I best be thankful that I am who I am. Being me isn't so bad, sore toes and all. Run hard my friends.

5 comments:

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...: Hope luck be a UTMB lottery for you. Take care of the knees and toes.; January 14, 2010 at 4:17 PM
Drs. Cynthia and David said...: Gluten free doesn't necessarily mean really low carb, since there's always rice, potatoes, fruit, etc., but if you went really low, it may more time to adapt. There may be a few tricks to being gluten free as a runner too (see Devon's blog). If you don't think it was helping you though, I guess there is little reason to bother.

What ever happened with the ammonia issue you mentioned a while back?

Good luck with UTMB and your other plans!

Cynthia; January 16, 2010 at 2:14 AM
kelly said...: Thanks, Cynthia, for the comment. I just never really felt satisfied on the gluten free diet. I never had that great feeling you get after a really satisfying meal. I felt empty. I do read Devons blog, and obviously she does great with it. I should probably talk to her if I try it again. I haven't had the ammonia smell since that few times awhile ago. I'm happy about that. What are your running plans for this year? I would love to meet you one of these days!; January 16, 2010 at 5:30 AM
Doone said...: Hi Kelly - sorry about UTMB, but why not come to Italy with us to do Tor des geants. Only 200 miles in 6 days with 22 passes! September - think about it. The good thing about the real crazy stuff is that they tend not to have lotteries the first year!; January 19, 2010 at 11:19 AM
kelly said...: Thanks, Doone. I am a little bummed about it. If I had signed up with the team I run for, I would have gotten in. I was in too much of a hurry to sign up and so I signed up alone. Oh well. I will check out the Tor des geants. That sounds like a blast!! I will let you know. Thanks for the heads up.; January 19, 2010 at 12:31 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.''