August Athlete of the Month

This year NBCA (the National Blood Clot Alliance - STOPTHECLOT.org) is starting a new episode in our exposure by being granted participation in the NYC Marathon.
A select number of individuals who are able to fulfill the fundraising requirements established by the NYC Marathon organization will have the opportunity to run the 26.2 Miles as representatives for NBCA.

Although I have MAJOR race envy this year I am not in a position to fundraise the required amount.  However, August's Athlete of the Month will be racing in NYC in November.  Please allow me introduce you a RUNNER and MOST IMPORTANTLY A CLOT SURVIVOR ... Karen Khodadadi.

Karen's story is remarkable and you can learn more about it by reading below.  But the most important thing for me is that her clotting episode back in 2010 did not stop her and since then she has ran 10 marathons and she is far from slowing down...

Karen Story's as found on her fundraising page...

"I am running the New York Marathon to raise funds on behalf of the National Blood Clot Alliance, a voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and clot-provoked stroke.
As many of you know, I experienced bilateral pulmonary emoboli (over 20 clots in both lungs) in July 2010. As a veteran of over 50 marathons, I was the last person on earth I would have expected to be gasping for air after a routine run. I literally felt like someone was putting a pillow over my head and smothering me.
I saw my internist the next day who performed a series of tests in his office and sent me home. I am SO thankful for my brother Gary, my tele-doctor in the Chicago area, who insisted I get myself to the emergency room. From my description, he felt certain that I had blood clots in my lungs. The fatality rate for a pulmonary embolism is 60%, so I count my blessings everyday. Since my PEs, I have run 10 marathons. With every step I take, I realize how lucky I am to be here, let alone still able to do the thing I love so much – run.
I am so excited about the opportunity to run New York on behalf of “Stop the Clot” and build awareness of how to prevent blood clots. I hope you will consider supporting this important cause!"

Please CLICK HERE (http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamStopTheClot/fundraiser/karenkhodadadi) if you would like to donate to Karen's effort this coming November!

Here is CELEBRATING Karen's determination and the second chance she has to keep on running!

Karen - Never stop running and keep on inspiring others who may be going through their own clotting episode.  You are a great example for others that may need that additional inspiration.

I will be following the NYC Marathon coverage closely and rooting for Karen all of the 26.2 Miles.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Vacation - Virginia Beach, VA

Nothing but family time and I loved every minute of it!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

Giant Eagle Columbus Triathlon

I have no had much time to post anything in while.

Raced the Giant Eagle Columbus Triathlon at the end of July and shortly thereafter we left on vacation Virginia Beach.

Now back from vacation and I am catching up somehow...

Had a great day of racing at the Olympic distance triathlon.

I have to admit that I enjoyed the unique point-to-point racing format of this race.  It is a very fluid race only in the direction of the finish line. 

Of note in this race is that I improved my time from last year by about 14 minutes.  HARD TO BELIEVE!  Last year I had some terrible stomach issues on the second half of the run.

This year, however, the race came together nicely.  The run was awesome and ended up being around 6:55 Minutes per Mile on average for the 10K.

It was a rough field and I only managed a 13th place in the 35-39 age group but I was more than please with my overall time.

2 more races left this fine summer and I am looking forward to an Olympic Distance Challenge (at the Buckeye Challenge Triathlon in Springfield, OH) and to close things up a Half-Iron Distance Challenge ( at the Rev3 Cedar Point Half-Iron Distance Triathlon).

Be sure to know that the STOP THE CLOT Clot Buster polka-dots will be coming along as they had all of the previous races this summer.

If you want your very own Clot Buster polka-dots order them on-line for immediate delivery.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster