If you were to see him around on his daily activities you would never think that he has protein C defficiency and therefore more prone to suffer from blood clots.
Please sit back and read on what I was able to learn about this MACHINE of an Athlete whose name is JOHN VERHEUL. Without a question another inpiring character that can help to drive and motivate the Clot Buster Nation on our continous quest to come back and rebound from a clotting episode as we chase all of our dreams and goals.
Below you will find a question and answer sequence I was able to have with John not too long ago...
Would you provide more detail for me about your story and all of the racing you do?2008 was my 22nd year racing, the focus was on timed events instead of mass-start due to the anticoagulation meds and the safety issue. In mass-start racing (road, criterium, etc), it's more a matter of when you will crash, not if. That's normally not a big deal, except if you're on anticoagulants...in which case when you crash there's a serious risk of death. Anyway, I race primarily road, criterium, cyclo-cross, time trials...I've done some track and mtb, but probably fewer than 20 of each of those (out of a total of probably >1000 starts over 22 years).
(...the protein C defficiency) didn't get diagnosed in me until I clotted up (multiple clots in my lower leg) after a race last December. Fortunately my doctor is a personal friend (so he got me right in) as well as an athlete himself (so he understands about endurance athletes), and he sent me to get an ultrasound as a first course of action. He actually thought the swelling miht be compartment syndrome, but was covering his bases with the ultrasound.So then 2 weeks of lovenox injections twice daily, followed by the warfarin that I'm still on. I had to fly to cyclo-cross nationals while I was still injecting myself with the lovenox, it was interesting to have to do that in a hotel room with the team that I was coaching. It did suck to not be able to race myself, but racing's been mostly a hobby for a long time, coaching is my job.
How did you feel after the clot? How long did it take for your to shake off the shock of having clots discovered?Having been an athlete pretty much all my life, I got over the shock pretty easily. I just treat it as another injury (athletes get injuries, we have to deal with them), and focus on what I need to do to "get better". Given that I'd already decided to go to law school this fall, I knew my career as a competitor was going to kind of end, so this just brought that end a little closer. I'm 41 this year, and it gets a little tougher each year to compete with younger athetes anyway.
Do you have any special inspiration to keep you at it?
Well, right now it's a bit different for me to continue to ride/train, when really I don't know that I'll race again. Racing has been the motivation for training over the last few decades, and now the focus shifts to using cycling as exercise for health and stress release. Frankly I'd prefer to mix in other sports, but many of them (running, basketball, soccer, etc) have been ruled out do to a back injury. But in my first 4 weeks of school I've managed to ride 6-8 hours per week, which I think is good for just staying healthy. It's a different mindset though, exercising to be healthy instead of to win races.
What is your favorite food?
My wife would list (for me) cinnamon rolls and beer.
What is your absolute favorite piece of gear you love to use?
I'm not really a "gear" guy, to me the stuff we use is a tool that enables us to do what we do. That said, probably the most important piece of gear I have is a powermeter, the most advantageous piece of gear is my Trek TT bike, and my favorite is my brand new JBV Coaching clothing (that's my company).
John, THANK SO MUCH for being an inspiraton! I am going to need to get some tips from you to get better with my cycling so that I can improve on my times for upcoming races. You know there is nothing better than seeing the Clot Buster Polka-Dots flying on a race course!
GOOD LUCK IN LAW SCHOOL!!!
Thanks for Reading,
The Clot Buster
For the Clot Buster clan we stopped the clock at a very respectable 48:43 with Junior crossing the finish line ahead of us. I really tried to beat him but I just could not get around him...
It was an incredible experience to race together the entire way and cross the finish line together. We don't get to do it very often since racing together is not always an option. But this time it was and for our 10th time doing this race for sure was special.
As you can see the polka-dots were once again out if full force spreading the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders... I am not sure if this time around I was getting strange looks because of the polka-dots or because I was passing people while pushing the stroller... I did not have time to ask.
However, this marathon will be special because I am aiming very seriously to run under 3 hours and 10 minutes in order to qualify for Boston... it is going to be a HUGE TALL ORDER for me but one I think that I can do... I just need to shave 19 minutes from my previous marathon time... what do you think? Can I do it? Honestly, I believe that the power of the polka-dots will carry me there and I will be able to reach this goal that is within my grasp I think... stay tuned to see how things progress.
Of course, like this year, I am still doing my beloved triathlons. Greater Cleveland Triathlon if they take me back... Not as many as I used to do but enough to continue flying the polka-dot colors for everyone to see. I would love to have the chance to train and race a Half-Iron Distance race some place around here but I think that for 2009 I will have to just hold on to Olympic Distace races which is perfectly fine by me.
Have a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY everyone!
It is fascinating to be a parent and see the little one change every day right in front our eyes. Couple of weeks ago he was less mobile than today. Very soon here will be flipping over from his back to the front and we anticipate that thereafter crawling will be just a matter of time... all considered we are very fortunate to have him. We could not be happier. 
This post is very special to me because I get the opportunity to honor a friend of mine and her family, who have been instrumental in the Clot Buster's success in the activities that have taken place at the Greater Cleveland Triathlon.
I hope to have the same amount of energy she has with everything that she has going on with her boys, work, training, and just enjoying life. 
She is truly a breath of fresh air as she gets things done. She is definitely a champion not only in sport but also in being an example on the fact that life does continue after a clotting episode and you can look back on the episode and tell about it as you participate actively in spreading the word. Please read more about Deirdre's experience 
I am honored to have the great fortune to post about Deirdre and share her enthusiasm for life with all of you out there.
Thanks for reading,
FELICITATIONES!!! Congratulations to both of them! 
Last weekend she participated in her first Half-Marathon here in Columbus, Ohio. I am so proud of her as she had a kick "rear end" race. She looked great everytime we got to see her at different points of the race. Now she is telling me that she has the "running bug", I am not sure what that means but maybe just maybe she may consider doing a marathon... that I don't know but what I do know is that I will be cheering her on the entire way. 
I have to confess that following a race with your son in a jogging stroller is no easy task. Trying to coordinate feeding times with race course locations with diaper changes with race pace predictions was a challenge that I was not exactly ready for. I have a new appreciation for what Mrs. Clot Buster does when she is out there cheering for me at the races.
Outside of cheering for Mrs. Clot Buster and changing Junior's diapers I've been thinking about my race schedule next year and how I will get things arranged... but really I've been sharpenning my dart throwing techniques...
Thanks for reading,
I very much enjoyed the coverage of the race on-line. The former pro-triathelets did a good job broadcasting the race, which I magine cannot be easy... somehow they find something to talk about for the better part of nine hours which in my opinion is very impressive. Granted, I did not sit around and watch all of the coverage but everytime I tuned in they were going at it talking about something. 
Can anyone beat Chrissie Wellington cannot be stopped. Did you hear about her race? Not even a flat could keep her from catching up to the leaders, pass them all, and then go on to break the marathon record time...! Are you serious? Talk about potential. 
I am very impressed. If I can be smiling like her after surviving an Ironman I probably would be just waking up from a dream...
Hard to believe but 5 years ago Mrs. Clot Buster and I were in Kona volunteering at the 25th Anniversary of the race. I even made the TV coverage when Lori Bowden is getting of the bike and she passes right in front me as I was volunteering catching bikes... of course you really have to slow down the tape to see me but I was there... it was an incredible experience to be there and see it all go on right in front of you. I hope that someday we get to go back... hopefully to race (you never know what could happen in the lottery... keep your fingers crossed)
It was a treat to be able to follow the race on-line and see it all unfold. I am looking forward to the TV special later on in December. Now, I wish I could go out an race... winter triathlon anyone?
Thanks for reading,
Just like many of you out there, McCord found me on the web while searching information about blood clots and blood clotting disorders after suffering from a clotting episode himself. Thankfully McCord was able to get the appropriate care and treatment during his clotting episode and consistently he has been able to return to "almost" his top form... I say almost because law school and being newly married is keeping busy in all fronts!
A few weeks ago McCord wrote me an email with some updates about what he is up to and I wanted to share those with you so that you can see that this kid can ride despite of having to deal with the awareness of possible clotts...
Defintely GREAT to hear how it is possible to get back and do all of the things that you love to do. Reading updates like this inspire me even more to get out there and spread the word that much more.
So, what should I focus on next year. I have the option to train for another marathon, this time however, with the focus on qualifying for Boston. OR, I could focus on a half-iron distance race sometime in the summer and call it good. OR, do a handful of races around here and just get the polka-dots out there just like I've done until now. 
I have to confess that doing another marathon with a few tri's in the summer is a formula that worked great this year. I very much liked the turnout I had of donations for the marathon fundraiser. Can I do that again next year? I guess there is only one way to find out...
All of the Clot Buster boys are VERY PROUD of her. I have to confess that I enjoyed very much cheering for her and seeing her compete. Not often I get the chance to cheer her on so this time around it was a pleasure for me to run around with Junior and my brother to provide her all the support that we could. 
Although she was concerned about the swim she got through it and it was time for her to make up some ground. She really looked strong on the bike but she threw down the hammer on the run... by my count she passed about 5 women ahead of her on her way to the finish... VERY IMPRESSIVE!!! I loved seeing her face expressions at the finish line as she was pleased to finish but more so that she got to compete and place so well.
Mrs. Clot Buster you ROCKED!!!
Thanks for reading,
