Once a runner, always a runner.

Last week I sent an email out to many runners that I know, telling them about the fundraiser for ALS that is being held in conjunction with the Santa Barbara International Marathon. It’s through the Muscular Dystrophy Association – ALS division. It gives me something positive to work on, helps raise public awareness of local familes impacted by ALS, and hopefully will raise enough funds to help MDA in their research to fight ALS. We will be doing our fundraiser in conjunction, and with the support of, the inaugural Santa Barbara International Marathon. Other local families with a member who has or who has died of ALS are also getting involved.

On August 5th, 2009, my husband Hal was diagnosed with ALS, better know as “Lou Gehrigs Disease.” We had just celebrated our 30th Wedding Anniversary exactly one week earlier. And suddenly our lives fell apart. Below is the letter I sent to several of our running colleagues:

You probably mostly know me from seeing me running – at the Saturday morning coached workouts, or occasionally in races, especially short ones! A few years ago, I wasn’t running at all. I had some health issues that kept me off my running feet for almost 15 years – until about three years ago my husband, Hal, encouraged me to ease my way back into it.

Hal himself was training. He had a goal – to run the Boston Marathon. But first he had to get in shape. He started running every day. Lost 50 pounds. Joined the Santa Barbara Athletic Association. Gradually got stronger and faster. Looked like he was right on track to qualify this year. Hal registered to run the Santa Barbara International Marathon. He was very excited about the event. He planned to qualify for Boston at the Los Angeles Marathon – and then improve his performance at Santa Barbara.

Then around February, things started to fall apart. He was tired all the time, and getting weaker instead of stronger. He kept injuring himself. Blamed it on “overtraining”. Then we noticed his speech seemed slurred. He tried to run the Los Angeles Marathon. Had to stop halfway because of severe cramping. Couldn’t finish. Kept training, but with more rest, less distance – and thought he would surely qualify for Boston at the Santa Barbara Marathon. But things kept getting worse. Finally Hal saw a doctor. Then a Neurologist. Then went for tests. And more tests. He was sent to UCLA for even more tests. Finally, on August 5th, 2009, we got the horrible news: Hal has ALS. A degenerative disease that causes progressive muscle wasting, eventually leaving the victim unable to move, talk, eat, or even breath. There is no cure. Yet.

People with ALS can continue to live and even enjoy life, if they are able to access good medical care when they need it- communication devices, motorized wheelchair, feeding tube, ventilator. And research scientists are out there trying to find effective treatments – maybe even a cure. . .

Meanwhile Hal, amazingly, is enjoying life. As he loses his strength, he tells me he appreciates more and more what he has left. This week he was able to jog/walk with our ridgebacks for almost 2 miles. He is very happy he can still jog. And walk. And enjoy More Mesa and Ellwood. His speech is slow – but he is happy he can still talk. He chokes on food and water frequently – but he is enjoying every taste, every swallow. He needs help opening jars, bottles, and other things – but he isn’t embarrassed to ask me for the help – he does it with a small smile. . . I don’t know how Hal can see life in such a wonderful way – but I am grateful that he has that ability, and am trying to support his positive attitude. And I cherish every moment I have with him.

One surprising thing Hal and I have learned is that ALS is more common in marathon runners and endurance athletes than in the general public. This is statistically significant. And very disturbing.

I am sending you all my direct link to the MDA ALS website for the Fundraiser. Some of you have already donated and/or are helping me in other ways. Thank you so much. Please don’t feel obligated to donate. Come cheer our ALS relay team on (after you finish the marathon, if you’re running it.) We’ll be wearing yellow T-shirts, and Hal is going to anchor the last 1.9 miles. He might not be running, but he will be finishing the marathon.

https://www.joinmda.org/sbmarathonals/fran

Hal and me running a half marathon in Denver, April 5, 2009

Hal's last long run: Disney Half Marathon Sept. 6, 2009

See you on the road -

Fran

Another nice link is the link to the MDA-ALS team page, which has links to other participating local families, each with an story of their own. . . https://www.joinmda.org/MyEvent/MyTeamHomepage/tabid/116843/Team/ActiveAdultsAgainstALS/Default.aspx

Tomorrow, (Sunday, October 25th) Hal and I are participating in a fundraiser walk for the Los Angeles branch of the ALS Association. It is a two mile walk, and it’s being held in Pasadena, CA. Hal is going to walk it with me and other family members. The logo on the T-shirt says “We walk because we can”

This morning I did a tempo run workout with Rusty and Mike. We ran a total of 13.5 miles – although only 7 of that was at tempo. That is a long distance for me. I almost did my usual bit – start hard, and finish early. But instead, I hung in and completed the whole thing. Because. I. can. I run because I can.

And afterwords I felt great. What a gift – to be able to run! And walk. To be able to trainl And get stronger. To be able to overdo it sometimes. And recover. To be able to plan for the future.

I run because I can.

No more challenges. Please. Unless they are related to races and training.

Tomorrow is the Carpinteria Triathlon. One of my very favorite races. I signed up for it back in May. Too bad. Can’t do it. So frustrating! Here’s why:

My dog Elsa had puppies September 30th. She is with them now, at Camp Canine in Santa Barbara, and will be until mid-October. I try to visit her frequently.

On Tuesday, September 15th, at noon, I drove to Camp Canine, intending to see Elsa and her pups during my lunch break. Parked my car in front of Camp Canine. Released my seat belt, and proceeded to open the car door. To my horror, I saw a huge cement truck barreling down, looked as if it was heading straight for my vehicle. Quickly twisted myself back into the car and attempted to slam the door shut. The door was wrenched out of my left hand. Boom! Boom! The car exploded.

When the banging stopped, I saw a huge truck driving away. To my horror, the front driver door of my new car was completely bent forward, against the front fender. The collision was so loud, people came pouring out of buildings along the street. I sprung out of my car in a rage, screaming “Stop! You hit my car! Stop! Stop!” The huge truck ground to a halt. The driver seemed stunned. He admitted he had not seen my car, was busy trying to avoid another truck that was parked on the opposite side of the street. (See picture below).

I calmed down enough to get my camera and some paper. At that point I felt my low back seize up into a vise.

To make a long story short, insurance was contacted. The truck driver was found to be 100% at fault. My car is still in the shop. My back is still painful. It is really hard for me to put on or pull off socks and shoes. I tried “racing” the Goleta 4-miler last week. Big mistake. So this morning I sadly pulled myself from the Carp Triathlon tomorrow.

Oh well. I have Unlike Hal, I have many years of racing ahead of me. It’s just another race.. . .

Elsa’s puppies, 3 weeks old

I am done!  Literally! Tried to race the Goleta 4-miler today. Tried.

I’ve been dealing with the aftermath of the Disneyland Half-Marathon for 2 weeks. Hal, please  remind me about this next time I decide to gimp my gait for 7 miles on a paved surface. Partway through the half marathon my left big toe started to complain every time I landed on it or pushed off –  so I adjusted my running – landing on the outside of my left heel and pushing off the midfoot for the last half of the race. Not a good plan. The left outside of my heel and achilles are still screaming at me. I still can’t wear my regular running or working shoes without limping. And 5 days ago, my car was hit HARD by a cement truck. (I”ll be posting about that!) Result of that accident? My car driver door was totaled. My back seized up like a vise. (The truck driver and his huge vehicle? Unscathed.) So what am I doing trying to race when I can’t walk? Being stupid. What else is new?

At home, now, icing my sore ankle/achilles/heel. Back is stiffening up again. Congrats to the many racers who did so amazingly well today.  I enjoyed seeing others run. Can’t say I enjoyed my own race. Hurt waaay too much!  And now, I really am feeling it! Ouch! ! !

Stupid me.

I have not blogged for a while.. Life’s been weird. Hal was diagnosed with ALS at UCLA on August 4th.  Although we’d been forewarned by our local Neurologist that this might happen, it actually came as a total shock to me.  Ever since, I have been living in a fog, with periods of disbelief, anger, terror, despair, and semi-acceptance.

I had signed up for the Disneyland race in July.  At the time, I knew something was wrong with Hal, especially after what happened when he attempted the Los Angeles Marathon in May. I had it in the back of my mind that this might be his last race – or that he might need me – so, even though I have not been able to run on paved surfaces for much of a distance without aggravating my left, semi-fused big toe, I decided to take the plunge and join Hal.

In retrospect, I am really happy I ran the race with Hal. The course was very interesting.  I ran it slowly enough that I was able to really take in everything. I completely cherished every moment – the opportunity to experience the run with my very best friend at my side.

My strategy for running 13.1 miles on a paved surface was maybe questionable.  I attempted to minimize the affect on my problem left big toe my shifting my gait early on to a heel strike on the outside of my foot. And ended up with an annoyingly uncomfortable peronius longus tendinitis/plantar fascitis. My bad.

But, sore or not, it was a race I shall hold dear in my memory forever.

Approaching the finish line

Finally - we did it!

The Disney Half-Marathon

Hal running toward the finish line, a very hot August, 2007.

Triumphant finish!

Okay.  I’m a short distance gal.  A sprinter. A high effort but not for very long kind of runner. I know it. My body knows it. My left big toe really knows it. Most of my training runs  are either fast and under 5 miles or slow and on trails. So how did I get myself signed up for another paved surface half marathon?

Well, I did it.  I signed up to run the 2009 Disney Half Marathon with Hal. In six weeks. OOOH boy.

Almost as if he knew of my plans, Rusty had us doing a worlout all on paved surfaces yesterday. Mountain and Gibralter. About 12 miles total, counting warm up and cool down.

I arrived at the workout. Worried. How would my stupid big toe handle this?

Warm up was a couple of miles up Gibralter, turn around, run back. So far so good.

Then the tempo part: 4 miles up Mountain.  Two miles into this, my left big toe went numb.  I felt my gait shift.  I slowed slightly. (Tried not to, but it’s hard to run fast when you’re worried!)  Then my arch went numb.  By the 3 mile mark,  the entire front half of my foot was numb and felt limp. I finished.

During the break up top, the foot woke up.  The big toe started to complain.  Shut up, toe!

We trotted the 4 miles back to our cars. That would have been really difficult for me on my own. Thanks to my stupid toe. But Maggie and Jana kept me company – and the distance went by.

Drove home and babied my toe for the rest of the day.

Woke early this morning –  and I think I got away with it! Disney Half – here I come! (ready or not?)

Addendum: Later same day, after walking dogs, shopping, etc.: Big toe is now swollen, red, and touchy. Walking hurts. Darn it! Hope to be back to running in a couple of days, if I’m lucky . .stupid toe!

After the race: a happy, relaxed couple of runners

Last year’s race was a test of agility and balance. (see my report at http://franfinney.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/chucks-steeplechase/ )

This years event was entirely different.  Perfect weather, wonderful tide conditions. Pure pleasure!

Hal and I both decided to do Chuck’s beach run this year. Hal is planning to do the SB marathon – if his health allows – and is looking for a way to curtail his frequent injuries. He is trying out a new running technique. It’s called “Chi-running” – and my understanding of the technique is that it involves short, quick strides, a forward lean from the feet, and landing on the midfoot, with push-off at the forefoot. He ran 10 miles at an easy pace yesterday, and was using the race today as further testing of this technique.

I decided to use the race as a tempo run, to practice my pacing.

Boy, do I need practice!

I started off at what felt tempo-ish to me.  At the turn-around I had averaged a 7:13 per mile pace.

But – second half of the race was waaay slower.  My speed (and energy) gradually faded and the second half averaged only a 7:55 pace.  7:33 average overall, with a time of 43:15.

Ouch!

Hmmmm – Rusty –  help me here!  I just suck at this pacing thing!

Meanwhile, Hal breezed in, cooly Chi-running, about a minute behind me. I was so happy to see him doing so well, at much less than his highest effort!

Definitely a fun race, fantastic start to the day.

Afternote:  Just saw the posted results! http://www.sbrunning.org/Results/Chucks09.htm

Rusty took first place with a speedy 30:44, followed by Aaron GIllen at 30:45. Awesome, guys!!

The first NiteMoves GP 2009 was re-scheduled for today, as a result of the fire last month.

The weather was fantastic, and I think times were in general very fast.  Gae was smoking!  Here are a few pictures, courtesy of Hal:

Warming up before the race.

Nearing the finish

Closer. . .

Really close. . .

Finally!

21:23. I didn’t make my time and 5K PR goal (under 21 minutes) – not by a long shot! But I did beat my NiteMoves PR (best time in past 15 years  - 21:27) – by 4 seconds. Not bad for a long day!

That's me front/center with my Nordic Walking (and sometimes running) class

Today I took my Nordic Walking class to the beach at low tide.  In addition to training private clients, and doing Physical Therapy, I teach a class Nordic walking class at the Santa Barbara YMCA. Our class met this morning to Arroyo Burro Beach – to take advantage of the low tide. Weather was fantastic!  Ran into the SBAA Vieja Valley Sunday morning bunch – perfect day to get some sand running in – with or without poles!

Hal came along (he took the picture above) – and was able to get in an hour of Nordic Sand Running himself.

I like to use poles to vary my solo running, especially while out with the dogs at More Mesa or Ellwood. The poles become an extension of your arms – you can use them to unweight your spine and lower extremities while propelling you forward – and running becomes a full body experience. It took me a long time to learn how to use the poles like this - hours of trial and error/practice. Hal, who is by nature or genetics more coordinated than I, figured out how right away how to smoothly incorporate the poles while running.

I watched my husband disappear down the beach with his poles. A couple of women in my class commented on how strong, manly, sexy he looked.

The sand and poles  were kind to Hal. He got in a good run today – his back and hamstring didn’t bother him at all. And I was able to “Nordic run” without any knee or toe pain.

Can we do a marathon with poles at the beach?