From sun-up to sun-down it is non-stop at my house.
Sometimes we even sleep outside...
Pretty much we do it all... you name we do it. We now even do "American Ninja Warrior" courses on the play set. Who knew the slide would work as the coveted "Warped Wall"...?
Although it feels like it we are not engaged in playing for 24 hours continuously...
However I can tell you about a Blood Clot Survivor who can indeed "play running" for more than 24 hours while Ultra-Marathoning...
BLOOD CLOT SURVIVORS CAN DO ANYTHING...
Please allow me to introduce to you Mr. Steven Stewart who has been very kind to share his story with us so that we can get some inspiration from the insight he can provide to overcome the challenges of blood clots and run crazy distances...
1) What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?
Running. Can do it any time of the day or any season of the year.
2) How did you get started in that sport?
The company I worked for sponsored a 10k race and I thought that would be a good challenge... The rest is history.
3) What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?(Long bike ride, some race coming up or that you did)
I ran 2 self-supported 250Km stage races in the desert. In June I will also be running my 4th 100Mile Trail Run.
4) Tells about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?
My first dvt was in the spring of 2013. On warfarin for 6 months. Ran Boston marathon one month after diagnosis. Was hard due to leg getting tired so easily. 2nd dvt (and PE) was spring 2015. After that one they put me on xarelto indefinitely. The dvt was in the other leg. I notice now that I cannot run as fast as before and sprinting is very tough. However running slow I can run for a long time though. First incident was worse. Off my feet for a week then walked a bit more each day.
5) When were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first time?
My first incident was worse because of the swelling by far but the second one involved a suspected PE too. I was off running for a few weeks. I notice now that my legs get tired sooner and have a decreased lung capacity.
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...)
I wear my polka dots at all races now and always get lots of comments. This weekend will be my 25th race of marathon or greater distance --- SIMPLY AMAZING!
7) How much are you getting out doing your sport? (Everyday you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week)
I run 3-4 X per week plus I walk about 60k plus I bike when I can.
8) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...
In the summer I feast on toasted tomato and cheese sandwiches. I make rhubarb squares too but they don't last long around our house. Coffee is a good post-run treat and so is a beer with my friends.
9) If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?
There are so many places I would like to go. If I had to pick a few it would be Scotland and Western Europe.
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.
Don't give up. Realize that even healthy people are not immune to blood clots and be aware of your body.
I was able to diagnose clot #2 faster because I knew what it felt like even though the swelling was not the same as the first one.
I was able to diagnose clot #2 faster because I knew what it felt like even though the swelling was not the same as the first one.
I am still not sure how this guy can do what he does...
I can't wrap my head around running for 100Miles regardless of how fast you are going. I am so impressed that a blood clot survivor can do this that I want to push my own body to see what it can do. I 100% agree that you should NEVER EVER GIVE UP and keep on trying despite the challenges. I always smile when I learn of one more his successful races and just hope I can do small fraction of what he is able to do.
Thank you for reading,
The Clot Buster
