Check this out...

The other day I received this email...

"Dear Natt's "Clot Buster" author,

Our editors recently reviewed your blog and have given it a 7.3 score out of (10) in the Personal Blogs category of Blogged.com.
This is quite an achievement!

We evaluated your blog based on the following criteria: Frequency of Updates, Relevance of Content, Site Design, and Writing Style.
After carefully reviewing each of these criteria, your site was given its 7.3 score."

I guess that there is people out there looking at blogs all day and giving them some sort of ranking. Looks like I am doing something right for a score of 7.3 out of 10. I think this is pretty neat. Who knew that your blog can be evaluated.

I very much appreciate the rating but this ranking means nothing if I don't get to reach people out there who can benefit form learning about blood clots and blood clotting disorders through my links to NATT's webiste www.STOPTHECLOT.org.

Let's continue spreading the word!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Catching up...

Man, it is COLD out there...

Tuesday 10 Mile run Statistics...

High Temp = 16 degrees F.

4 - Layers on my upper body.

1 - Set of ear warmers.

1 - Full head mask.

2 - Sets of tights.

2 - Pair of gloves.

1 - VERY COLD NOSE and some compressed lungs...

After 18Miles indoors over the weekend because the temperature was in the single digits, I told myself that after that experience I will try everything that I can to be outside as much as I can when possible. So, last Tuesday I went out there and put down 5.75Miles outside and I finished the rest inside. At least running inside got my body and nose to warm up pretty fast...

I was reading the FIT CHICK's Blog at Bycicling Magazine (you know she participated in IM Cahmpionships in Kona this past October after winning her age group at Louisville's race) during the first part of the year and she was talking about breaking her new year's resolutions very quickly. I thought, at the time, that mine of posting more often would be no problem... but as you can see I am not doing it as often as I should. If you want an excuse I have one...! Because my last post was about January's Athlete of the month and you know as well as I do that the more exposure I can provide to these inspiring stories the better... YES! That is definitely the reason why I've fallen off my new year's promise during this first part of January.

Just returned today from a 15 Mile run from my house as we had the first HEAT WAVE of 2009 come through. We climbed up to a balmy 47 degrees and it was all I hope for... slush fest as the snow is melting and we have no choice but run through it. Needless to say I had to treat my cold feet with some nice warm water afterwords... man that felt sensational.

So, between diaper changes and watching after almost crawling Junior I continue to fit in my trainig when possible. It is been a challenge but one I take on with great pride. I have to get those STOP THE CLOT red-polka dots out there to spread the word... believe me last Saturday the people working out at my gym saw nothing but polka-dots throughout the first 10 Miles because after that I had no choice but to change my dripping wet shirt as people at the track were complaining about drops of my sweat all over the place... If you don't know this about me already you should know that I can sweat like there is no tomorrow...

I have a couple of interesting posts coming up so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

January Athlete of the Month

For this edition of Athlete of the Month we are going north of the border... Unfortunately, they have blood clots up there as well. But we don't want to talk about the bad here let's high light the good and have you meet a survivor and someone who can break you down on a bike... TARYN MONTGOMERY.

Thanks to the power of the web, she was able to find me and we have been in touch. Being noisy as I am I've asked her to tell me about her story and she has been kind enough to share with me and here I am sharing it with all of you...

"In November 2005, when I was 28 years old, I was diagnosed with my first dvt. I was articling at a large national law firm at the time and this diagnosis added even more stress to my already high stress life. After my diagnosis, I took Warfarin for 6 months. During this time, I became so afraid of the side effects of my medication (i.e. potential haemorhage) that I avoided most physical activities and my body fell into complete disrepair. When the 6 months was up, I couldn't run even a single kilometre and I was at least 15 lbs heavier than I should have been. However, getting off of the Warfarin gave me a new lease on life. I started to run again and quickly lost close to 20lbs. Even after my wedding (my other reason for getting fit), I continued to run and bike. I ran 10km races, half marathons, and finally, in December 2007, my first marathon.

My fitness goal for this year was to bike over 3000km (1900 miles). I am over halfway there. Unfortunately, last Monday I was diagnosed with another dvt. I was so upset. In one flash, I saw all of my fitness goals fall away. However, after taking some time to digest the fact that I am now facing a lifetime of anti-coagulant treatment, I have decided that I am not going to live the rest of my life in fear. After taking some time off to allow the swelling and pain to recede, I am now back on my bike (though I am not straining myself on account of the fact that the clot could still be jarred loose over the next 10 days or so). I intend to reach my goal this year (hopefully before the first snowfall) and I intend to do a triathlon and/or another marathon next year. It is also my goal to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro over the next two years.

I understand that I have to be more careful now that I am on anti-coagulant therapy, but I don't have to let my medication run my life. I was wondering if there were other people out there in my situation and, thanks to your blog, I see that there are (e.g. Cheryl Edwards). This makes me feel like I am not alone in my desire to live life to its fullest in spite of my condition. It also gives me confidence that these activities can be carried out in a safe manner that does not significantly increase the likelihood of haemorhage."

Taryn wrote the story above around August and towards the end of November she wrote this follow up email to me that put a huge smile on my face...

"Just wanted to let you know that I reached my goal of 3000Km about three weeks ago. I was going to e-mail you right after, but then I thought, since the snow is not yet sticking to the ground, that I would try for a goal that would speak to you Imperial types. So, I went for 2000 miles and hit that on Tuesday. I have just passed 2008 (2008 miles in 2008 ;) ) and I think that I may be able to hit 3500km by the end of the year as the weather is still unseasonably warm."

Not only she met her goal but put a little extra on top of it just in case! Unfortunately the snow arrived shortly thereafter and she was not able to ride outside any more and hit the 3500KM mark...

Reading Taryn's story gives me that additional push to get out and continue my training for the marathon coming up. I hope that her courage, discipline, desire, and caution drives some of you out there to get going on whatever is you want to do next. It does not have to be a marathon or 3000 Km on a bike or even a triathlon, whatever it is just get out and enjoy the beautiful world we have around us. You can return from your clotting episode and Taryn can be that inspiration that you can follow.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

The Year in Review

You would not believe that one of my resolutions for 2009 was to find more time to post... Going 9 days in the new year and I am just getting around to post for the first time. I think that I am failing with this resolution... what do you think? The good news is that I can only get better from here and I hope to be able to write something at least more than what I already do...

But looking back at 2008 I am very pleased to see how far we have come... where do I start?

The birth of Junior Clot Buster is/was the MOST INCREDIBLE event of my life besides marrying Mrs. Clot Buster. Both of these rank 1 and 2 in my book for sure but only one of them took place in 2008, the other I've been enjoying for the better part of 10 years!!!

Also becoming a citizen of this country was very big deal for me. I am very proud of being lucky enough to have this provilige. For so long it was just a dream and now it is here and I AM A GRINGO!

Of course spreading the word about Blood Clots and Blood Clotting Disorders continued to be the main focus for the Clot Buster and NATT's STOP THE CLOT campaign...

*** Successful fundraiser during the Clot Buster's First Ever Marathon at the Flying Pig in Cincinnati.

*** STOP THE CLOT wristbands available for everyone to purchase and wear.

*** STOP THE CLOT Technical Shirts designed and manufactured so that those of you out there willing to spread the word can also have the Clot Buster's flagship polka-dots to wear in whatever you are doing... I wear mine everywhere possible. In grocery stores is where people stop me the most... go figure.

*** Finally, came up with something useful for this blog... THE CLOT BUSTER ATHLETE OF THE MONTH series was started in June and it is rolling along very well. It is truly and honor for me to get to meet people through this medium and share the stories they are willing to share with me about their clotting incident but more importanly about their RETURN to whatever sporting activity they enjoyed doing. This reminds me, if you know of anyone that should be featured in the Athlete of the Month Series, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!

*** Second Annual GREATER CLEVELAND TRIATHLON fundraiser raffle another success. Dear Friends in Cleveland and anyone who stopped by our booth... THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

*** Participated in 3 triathlons over the summer placing top three in my age group in every single one of them... The power of the polka-dots is helping me out!

Here are some of my training and racing totals for the year... I am crazy enough to keep a log every single day so everything that I do gets recorded and totalled... check it out:

Swim = 56,453 meters (2007 = 113,618 meters)

Bike = 1426.7 Miles (2007 = 2519.9 Miles)

Run = 960.7 Mikes (2007 = 537 Miles)

I guess that having a little one slowed me down some compared to 2007. If you ask me, I take Junior and the joy it provides without a question.

So, here it is The Clot Buster's year end review. 2009 should be GREAT FUN and I am very much looking forward to it. You know that I will be attempting my second marathon aiming to make it to Boston but for the rest of the plans I will have to keep you in the dark...

Thanks for Reading,

The Clot Buster