Running Free: Make your life happen!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Make your life happen!

Brian died on Sept. 5th, 9 months after being diagnosed with brain cancer. He fought to the end, believing that somehow he could conquer this horrible disease. He endured craniotomies, radiation, chemo, and even a trip to Lourdes courtesy of the Knights of Malta. Brian was a UCI graduate and played college soccer. He was just 24 years old. Rest comfortably Brian. You will never be forgotten.

"Treasure each other in the recognition that we do not know how long we will have each other". Joshua Liebman

On Sept. 3rd, we drove 3 hours to buy a beautiful Aussie puppy that we named Jada. She is a blue

merle and we all are in love. She is so smart and so cute!! It is so much fun to have a puppy around again. I just forgot how much work they are!! It's like having a baby all over again.

I signed up for a 50k and a 50 miler today. I am glad that I committed to doing them, as now I have a reason to train!! I wanted to mention that it has been about 5 months since I've had either bread or pasta. I feel so much better and I can run now without stomach pains. Who would have thought?

The Coastal Challenge is my January destination. It is a 6 day stage race in Costa Rica. I am so excited to be racing there again. You may recall that I raced there in 2009 and had the adventure of a lifetime. I am motivated to get out and train with this race coming up in 2011.

My daughter Chelsea is interested in doing a Triathlon. I am so pumped for her. Her and I went to the pool the other night and besides freezing our butts off, she did awesome. I hope she continues to be encouraged to learn to swim, bike and run better.

Have a wonderful week!!

"If you try too carefully to plan your life, the danger is that you will succeed--succeed in narrowing your options, closing off avenues of adventure that cannot now be imagined."
American Diplomat, Harlan Cleveland

Use this week to think of an adventure you would like to have and take a step towards making it happen!!!

3 comments:

Ewa said...: I have just had a taste of what cancer means and I know how lucky I was to have it discovered so early. It is a nasty, nasty disease.

Your pup is adorable. Will she be your running companion?

Hurray for your daughter! Hope you will be posting about her races.; September 12, 2010 at 6:27 PM
doodlegirl said...: WOW! I didn't realize you drove three hours to adopt Jada. So worth it of course!!! :O)

I'm deeply saddened by the death of Brian who had such a huge will to conquer this disease could not do it.

Diseases are so burdensome. :O(

On a positive note: GO CHELSEA!!!!!!!l; September 14, 2010 at 10:24 PM
Ultra Sam said...: I am saddended by your loss. Cancer is one of those things in life that makes me sometimes question my higher power.

I shall pray for you and your family and trust that your loved one is in a better place now.

Having had family and dear friends (one young girl of only 23...) lost to this horrific disease, I often wonder what is worse, to have them around and suffering or to not have them in our world yet free of pain.

Keep the faith - SAM; September 16, 2010 at 3:33 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.''