June Athlete of the Month - Part Two

Greetings!

Please read on about more about the inspiring words from KATHERINE SIRON...

6) What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? (Bike brand, running shoes, perhaps a running singlet or the Clot Buster's Running Polka-Dot Technical Shirt...)
Can't live without my RoadID, GU, iPod, Saucony shoes, and DryMax socks! That care of your feet and they'll take care of you! We have awful humidity and heat in the summer here and good socks are a must! My RoadId is an absolute must! It's more important that anything I carry. It has all my contact info, doctors name and number, blood type, my DOB, drug allergies, and most importantly my HISTORY OF DVT AND PULMONARY EMBOLISM! I always wear it when I workout and travel. ALWAYS! Check it out for yourself!
http://www.roadid.com/Common/LearnMore.aspx?PID=37

7) How much are you getting out doing your sport? (Everyday you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week)
I've got a pretty busy schedule, so training and racing can be a little bit of a challenge. I'm in medicine and currently applying to graduate programs to become a Physician's Assistant and get my Masters in Public Health. Work, volunteering (which I do a lot of), and grad school applications take up a lot of the day, but I like to use the phrase "work hard, play hard". My long runs are on the weekend and I try to sneak in a spin class or evening run a couple days a week. Summers are hard here because we're already at high humidity and temps reaching the high 90s in the day. Some have snow and ice, we have HEAT! At least you can layer for the cold, with heat, you can only get so naked.

8) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...
I'm a definite food lover, so to pick just one would be too hard. When I was in Europe, I ate everything in sight! Always on my list are sushi, Chipotle salads, and a good hotdog ( I know! i know! Not healthy . . . but I have a favorite joint in Charleston that serves up the BEST dogs! Also ballpark hotdog can be pretty fabulous too! I'm a big Cubs fan!) :)

9) If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? Humm . . . good question! I LOVE to travel! Languages and culture are such a gift! I try not to act like a typical American when I'm abroad. Eat what they eat, do what they do, and soak it all in. Africa and New Zealand are next on my list. My family hosted a Bishop from Uganda last year and I promised him that I would come do medical mission work once my doctors cleared me to fly that far. Try breaking a promise to a Bishop! :)

10) What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours? How can people return to do what they enjoy? Tells about your concerns and what you look out after as you got back.
My best advice would be to talk about it! You feel like you're all alone and no one else could possibly know what you're going through. Sadly, there are too many people out there that know EXACTLY what your going through. Support groups and education people has been my saving grace. Knowing that my story might prevent one persons DVT episode and increase funding to spread the word about coagulation problems and veinous disease. Surviving the unsurvivable is a heavy load to bear and getting back on the horse is scary and difficult. You've got to live in the light and not think about the "what if's" too much. Yes, be smart. I'm not advocating you do something foolish and risky, but returning to what makes you happy is part of your recovery. Blood thinners aren't a prison sentence, they just need a little extra precaution. Wear your RoadID or other form of identification. Don't let fear rule your life. Pray, eat healthy, exercise, and live life to the fullest! Oh, and don't forget . . . STOP THE CLOT! :)

That is correct Katherine - STOP THE CLOT is what we are all about as we need to spread the word and let as many people know as possible so that we don't have any more close calls such as yours.

Thank you for your willigness to share your story. Without a doubt is great inpiration to all of us!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster