August Athlete of the Month

Here is hoping that you are enjoying the summer heat!

Of course with caution but I hope you are out there enjoying it.

You know that I am as much as possible. Not sure why I hold on so much to being out there but I try to be as much as I can doing whatever I can. Although in my late 40's I am finding some limitations with what I can and cannot do. I can't seem to recover as fast as I did and my body feels tired longer. However, if I truly knew how to "slow down" then perhaps my recovery from racing would be easier. I just don't really slow down and I keep hammering away as much as I can for as long as I can. As if I am trying to out run or out bike or out swim or out kayak my tiredness... This is for sure a really terrible idea and I realize that often just to slug it out and do it again the next day. I guess that I do have a problem but the fall and winter coming up will fix it for me very soon. The colder weather normally slows me down.

But this year @TeamSTOTHECLOT the fall brings the opportunity of the life time to gear up and conquer the NYC Marathon. Blood Clot Survivors along with friends and/or family will not be slowing down and in fact they will be throwing some heavy miles to train and get ready ahead of the marathon in November.

This is always an inspiring time of the year where we got to meet Blood Clot Survivors that truly CAN DO ANYTHING.

I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to get to meet some of these incredible individuals and ask them to share their story with us. Facing the prospect of running the 26.2 Miles is daunting but this survivors CAN and WILL DO IT.

For this month's blog post please allow me to introduce to you Jana who is currently training and building up her endurance so that in November she is ready to face one of the most iconic marathons in the world. We are very fortunate that Jana was able to spare sometime to share some of her thoughts with us about her journey and some of her favorite things in general from the questions that I normally ask.

Please read on and enjoy! 

What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? 

I grew up playing lacrosse and played throughout college as well. Currently I am in to different types of workout classes - F45 has been my favorite - and fun summer activities like Pickle ball! 

How did you get started in that sport? 

I enjoy different workout classes because I am used to the structure of always playing a sport growing up. Got started in pickleball because it is the sport of the summer!

What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?

I recently completed 13.1 - we're halfway there!! 

Tells about your clotting episode.  Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? 

I found out I had a pulmonary embolism the summer going into my senior year of college and lacrosse due to isolated chest pain I was having. Thankfully it was caught early and a few months of blood thinners/minimal physical activity was all I needed. 

When were you able to get back into your activity?  How did it feel that first time?   

I am extremely thankful that I was not out of commission completely so working my way back was not too difficult. It was more the mental aspect of understanding that internally my body was still healing and learning to recognize what was the new normal for me. 

What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity? 

I was hesitant to try out the running belts but have come to love mine! I think the Polka-dot apparel might take the cake though once it arrives.

How much are you getting out doing your sport? 

Currently I am running about 3 maybe 4 times a week, and then trying to get in some other type of activity twice a week whether it is a bike ride, workout class, or anything!

What is your favorite food? 

I love a plain pizza and caesar salad combo... or vodka chicken parm!

If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? 

I would LOVE to go to Italy! As cliche as it seems I would like to explore it someday. Less extreme I have been wanting to take a trip to California as well - see some of the beach towns and Napa Valley.

What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours?  

A close friend of mine has this saying "all discomfort is temporary" - I would tell people that they will get through it, and whatever their new normal becomes will be just fine! Personally I take note on lingering pains/aches or excessive bruising but try and refrain from over-worrying. I was extremely thankful that my episode was caught early and now just take proper precautions when traveling! 

 

Here is wishing Jana the best of luck with her training and eventually the race. 

No question that you will have plenty of pizza and caesar salads in your future as those miles continue to add up. You are half-way there and the second half of the marathon is the one that matters with the last miles after 20 really defining your journey... YOU CAN DO IT and I can't wait to hear about how it goes.

Blood Clot Survivors CAN DO ANYTHING!

Thank you for reading, 

The Clot Buster