Running Free: I need WHAT?

Sunday, March 27, 2011

I need WHAT?

“Somebody ought to tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit every minute of every day. Do it, I say, whatever you want to do, do it now.” — Michael Landon

My "living life to the fullest", came to an abrupt halt when my Doctor told me that I would need surgery on my shoulder. I heard what he said, but I had a hard time really believing him. I have races to run, places to go, and adventures to unfold. Crap, I have Mt. Blanc to run in August! But the reality is that I have a serious tear of my subscapularis tendon and it needs to be repaired. You may recall that I fell the day before I left for Costa Rica. I thought I had broken my arm but then realized that my shoulder was jacked up. I've waited for two months hoping that it would heal.... but to no avail. So, I go under the knife on April 18th for an arthroscopic repair that is going to leave me "resting" for quite awhile. I am bummed. But we all know that shit happens and sometimes there is not a thing we can do about it. When you play hard, things are bound to happen. And happen they did. So enough whining for now. I am not sick nor am I dying so I need to get on with my bad self. But first.......anyone have any suggestions about what I might do to keep in shape while I am in a sling for 6 weeks and unable to run? Anyone, anyone?

Hopefully, the weather will start turning warm and dry before too long. I am so ready for the warmth of the sun on my face. Don't put off living your life!!

5 comments:

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...: sorry Kelly! I was so looking forward to your Mt. Blanc adventure.

when i had my bicep rupture repaired, my Ortho limited me from anything that caused me to swing my arms. there really was nothing i could do. there was a point he finally let me do some limited treadmill walking and even stationary bike. I don't remember how far into rehab that was. 2 months maybe? I don't remember exactly.; March 27, 2011 at 7:32 PM
Olga said...: Oh, bummer! Hope you recover and train in time for MTB!!!; March 28, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Kurt @ Becoming An Ironman said...: I was going to suggest a stationary bike or typical strength training.; March 28, 2011 at 4:19 PM
Jen said...: Ask Tom. Or Joe Magruder. They both had shoulder surgeries and are back running. Good luck to you. Our bodies want to heal. Prayers your way xoxo; March 29, 2011 at 11:18 AM
Doone said...: I think you might be able to use one of the reclining bike machines as your back and shoulders are pretty still????; March 30, 2011 at 5:31 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.''