January Athlete of the Month

How were your Holidays?

Here is hoping and wishing that you were able to receive 2014 in grand style and that the new year is bringing you ALL the happiness, good fortune, and good health you can afford.

I am looking forward to 2014 and getting the chance to continue to spread the word about blood clots, get even more exposure to the CLOT BUSTER STOPTHECLOT polka-dots, and of course continue to post some more of these inspirational stories from blood clot survivors.  I simply cannot get enough of learning what the human body is capable of once your mind is set and your body cooperates.

The 2013 series of Athlete of the Month posts end with a fantastic story of a blood clot survivor throwing down with an Ironman Triathlon.

Well, I could not see any other way to start 2014 than with another story of blood clot survival and come back that involves a recent tango with another Ironman Triathlon.

Please allow me to introduce to you JESSICA LEHMAN who very graciously has agreed to share her story of survival and come back with us.  I am VERY THANKFUL to Jessica and for willingness to sit down and go to town on the write up you will be reading below. 

Are you ready to get your 2014 started with a story that will get you off the couch and going... please read on!

" Hi guys! My name is Jessica and I’m so excited to share my experience with Team Stop the Clot.

Less than a year ago I was sitting in a hospital bed thinking my life as an athlete was over. My pity party came to an end when I found this blog. Reading all of the Clot Buster stories gave me hope and inspiration. I hope you find some in my story too.  Please please please contact me if you are newly diagnosed with a DVT/PE and want to talk to someone (jes.lehman@gmail.com). I promise you that you can come back from this! And you will race again J  Here we go….

In January 2013 I had the adventure of a lifetime- summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is the tallest free-standing mountain in the world with an elevation of 19,341 feet.

(You can check out my whole Kili trek here:

www.myhappylittletree.blogspot.com/2013/01/climbing-kilimanjaro)

During the final descent off the mountain (day 8) I developed a sharp pain in my calf. I assumed it was a pulled muscle from summiting. It seemed obvious to me, I mean I did just climb the highest mountain in Africa!

 

 

After another week of safari in the Serengeti we flew home and it was time to get serious about my triathlon training! I was 5 months out from EagleMan 70.3. I remember e-mailing my coach telling her I had a pulled muscle and wasn’t able to run. So I started training by only swimming and biking. My calf was very painful, but triathletes have a very high tolerance for pain (and are just that stubborn) that I refused to go see the doctor.  I knew that if I rested it, iced, and took anti-inflammatories it should go away. And sure enough it did! My leg felt better after a couple weeks. (Later we find out this is because a giant chuck of clot broke off and went to my lungs). So with a healthy leg I started running and training hard.

I realized that my splits were much slower than usual. I told myself that this was because I took a month off to go to Africa and was out of shape. So I started pushing myself harder. I even almost blacked out in the middle of the pool during a time-trial test. I just figured I was dehydrated. Writing this makes me realize how stupid I was… ALWAYS listen to your body!

During the 4^th week back from Africa I started getting out of breath doing simple tasks- walking up stairs, talking on the phone, making a sandwich. The last straw was blacking out during a track practice. That night I went to the ER. And drum roll please…….. DVT in the leg’s popliteal vein and massive bilateral PEs in the lungs. For the amount of clot I had I was lucky to be breathing still, let alone trying to swim, bike and run.

The doctors could only hypothesize what happened. The long plane flight to Africa, my slow heart rate, altitude sickness caused by high elevation, severe dehydration from summit day and birth control pills was my perfect storm of destruction. Sometime after returning home the clot in my thigh to groin broke off and went to my lungs. This is where I count my lucky stars (30% of people with untreated PEs die. I went over a month before going to the ER).

So I got nice and settled in the hospital while they monitored the PEs. I chose to go on the new blood thinning drug Xarelto over Coumadin. No more Lovenox shots in the tummy! This is where I spent my days googling the scary statistics of blood clots (which I’m sure some of you are doing right now). I feel so fortunate to have found Stop the Clot and the Clot Buster athletes. I went to them for inspiration during the following months of recovery. Which were TOUGH. Small victories were climbing the stairs in the hospital, going for a walk, then finally jogging one whole mile. But there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel!

 

I wanted my light to be something huge. I wanted to go out there and celebrate life! I felt so fortunate that I wanted to do something monumental for those that have suffered from clots, those that have passed away, and those that will suffer in the future. I registered for Ironman Cozumel knowing that even if I couldn’t cross the finish line, showing up at the starting line was already an accomplishment.

I made it my personal mission to raise awareness and prevention of these nasty little blood clots by racing for the National Blood Clot Alliance. I raised $6000 along the way!  Most importantly I wanted to set an example that having blood clots does not mean you cannot continue to do the things that most inspire and challenge you.

On December 1, only nine months after being diagnosed with DVT/PEs, I became an Ironman! I really took the whole experience in and enjoyed every second of it. I had a smile on my face for almost the entire race (ok last few miles were ugly). 

 

(check out my full race report here:

www.myhappylittletree.blogspot.com/2013/12/ironman-cozumel)

Check out my support crew’s Stop the Clot shirts and visors!

 

 

So even if you’re on bed rest right now in the hospital or still on blood thinners, keep your head up. Take it day by day. And always live life to the fullest. You’ll be back before you know it!"

What else I can see to add to this story...?

We are so lucky that Jessica shared her story with us to provide us with the spring board we need to get 2014 going.

Get INSPIRED and let's get out there.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEY YEAR!!!

Here is wishing all of you the VERY BEST on this season.

May the New Year bring along ALL THE GOOD HEALTH, GOOD FORTUNE, and HAPPINESS YOU CAN HANDLE!!!

Looking forward to 2014.

2014 will be start to the CLOT BUSTER's "Redemption Tour..." returning to some races in which I did not go so well and I need to rectify the overall outcome.  Now older, wiser, and more "aero" on top should make all the difference... Be on the look out for the STOP THE CLOT - CLOT BUSTER polka-dots racing along side you...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

P.S. >>> Not too late to get your very own polka-dots... Cycling Jersey and/or Triathlon Top ALL SIZES available male and female.

December Athlete of the Month

This is certainly the season of giving.

I am VERY LUCKY to have come across this very special person.

I am VERY LUCKY and now you are lucky as well because this clot survivor is about to unleash a whole lot of giving as she gets to share her very unique story with all of us...

Catch the inspiration and don't let go of it.

But I will move aside and let you read and enjoy this story...

" Hi, my name is Alisa Dunlap and I am honored to be the ClotBuster Athlete for December 2013.  I’ve been an endurance athlete since 2007, the year I ran my first half marathon, and an athlete my whole life.  I grew up in the pool and played water polo in high school and part of college.  I took up recreational running at the end of high school and never stopped!  I enjoy challenging myself and pushing to my limits.  In 2009, I started triathlons and just a few short weeks ago completed my first 140.6 distance in Arizona. 

 

I am happy to report that I am thriving post-DVT!  While I still have to be careful, I am not on blood thinners any longer.  I am however still sportin’ awesome compression gear, pretty much all the time.  I do notice my right leg if I have to do excessive standing or sitting.  I am mindful to keep my leg elevated when I can and to take short walks throughout the day.  I still get nervous about traveling but have made the cross country trek once and have traveled in a car on multiple trips.  My travel tips are: compression and hydration.  If you’re hydrated it will force you to get up and walk about an airplane for the lavatories or to stop at rest stops if traveling my car.  If you’re reading this and you were recently diagnosed, it does get easier and you’ll learn what you need to do to thrive.

 

I found the ClotBuster blog and community in June 2013, right after my own DVT diagnosis.  Knowing that there were other endurance athletes with clots thriving in their sports really helped me through my own recovery.  I had always thought of blood clots as something that ailed only the elderly or those that hadn’t taken good care of themselves---not endurance athletes.  Come to find out, blood clots are something all endurance athletes should be mindful about.  Educate yourself my friends and I hope that you never have to go through what I went through.

To learn more about me and my journey visit my blog: www.ambitiousaspirations.blogspot.com

The ClotBuster himself asked me to share a little bit about my clotting episode, so, here it goes.

On May 4^th, 2.5 miles into a long run, I stepped on a lip in the road, fell and broke my 5^th metatarsal on my right foot.  My husband actually had to carry me about 2 miles back to the car as I couldn’t put any weight on my foot.  About a week later, we took a trip down to California to visit our family, little did I know that traveling without a lot of movement with a broken foot, while on birth control may not be the best idea. 

Arriving in California, I certainly felt like there was something off about my leg but I thought maybe I had pulled some tendons when I broke my foot and that the pain was just now showing up.  When I got back to Portland, I contacted my doctor and while he said it was possible that I had a clot it was unlikely.  So, I continued to rehab my foot. 

I was still on crutches and while the pain in my foot was getting better the pain in my leg was getting worse. In fact, my foot was well enough to go crutchless 4 weeks after my break.  However, three days after ditching my crutches I woke up to throbbing pain in my calf and behind my knee.  While I could bear weight on my foot I couldn’t on my leg, I ended up having to crawl to the bathroom that night and on that long crawl to the bathroom I decided first thing in the morning I would call my doctor.  I got in right away and he did a rudimentary scan on my leg with a mobile ultrasound.  You know it’s probably not a good sign when he calls in three other doctors to take a look.  After three different docs reviewed the screen they sent me straight to the hospital for a full ultrasound.  And on that day, June 7^th (5 weeks after breaking my foot), I was diagnosed with multiple blood clots (one in every vein in my right leg: femoral, popliteal, posterior and anterior tibial, and the peroneal.)  As I did more and more research on clots, I got more and more scared.

I was immediately put on blood thinners.  For 12 days I had to self administer (well, Justin did the first couple), lovenox injections.  After 12 days, I switched to oral warafin, the generic for coumadin.  Being an endurance athlete training for their first 140.6 race I had all kinds of questions for my doc.  She was great, so patient with me, answering everything I wanted (NEEDED) to know.  How long would I have to be on thinners?  Did I have to stop eating my coveted kale salads and smoothies?  How long would the pain last? (that was probably my first question) How long would I be out of training commission? (that was probably my second question as I had already spent 4 weeks on crutches really only able to do some core work, pulling in the pool and seated arm weights)  Were the clots going to limit my ability to train once the pain went away? Was the ironman out of the question?  Could I cycle outside?  What was my bleeding risk?  The questions went on and on and on.  The most scary of course, how serious is this and is there a possibility of an embolism and could that lead to death?  The answer to that last one is what kept me up at night.  It was serious and yes there is always a possibility of embolism which could in fact result in death----ahhhhhhh.  However, my doctor reassured me that I was doing everything right and that my risk, while certainly higher than the average person, was in check, especially now that I was on thinners.

I stayed on blood thinners for a little over 5 months.  In that time, I was outta commission from training for about 2 months.  During my 4 weeks on crutches, I really only pulled in the pool and did arm weights in my living room.  When I was able to ditch the crutches I started taking short walks around my neighborhood and eventually got on my bike trainer for 30 minutes at a time.  9 weeks after breaking my foot and 5 weeks after my DVT diagnosis, I went from my first test “run.”  I ran for maybe 5-10 minutes, in spurts of 30 seconds at a time.  I slowly worked my way back to sport.  I cycled outside for the first time about 6 weeks after my DVT diagnosis and ended up completing two century rides while on thinners.  I consulted with my medical team (both my doctor and my warafin nurse) every time I tried something new.  They encouraged me to keep at it but to stay safe in the process---I ALWAYS wore my helmet, I tried to cycle on roads less traveled by cars, I cycled with friends when I could, I always took my cell phone and I bought myself a new RoadID with my diagnosis and medicine clearly listed on the bracelet.

I took good care of myself and on November 17, 2013, not only did I finish my first 140.6 I did well, exceeding the time goal I had set for myself.  If you’re reading this after being recently diagnosed you CAN get back to your sport and succeed!  My advice to those reading with recent diagnosis: listen to your body-you know yourself  best, use your medical professionals as a resource—stay off of Dr. Google!, slowly ease back into your sport, set ambitious but realistic goals for yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help and probably most important, stay positive!  While clots are something I will always have to be aware of they aren’t going to hold me back from dreaming big and pursuing my goals."

 

What do you think?

 

These stories never stop inspiring me nor amaze.  How was she able to do an IM? I can't even get through a half without grimacing and wondering how on earth would I double what I just did...

 

Alisa's dedication to not let blood clots stop her or slow her down earns all of my admiration.

 

Watch out for this lady on a course near you... as she will be blowing past all of us if we don't shape up.  The only thing missing is her very own set of polka-dots to allow the STOPTHECLOT message to spread even farther.

 

Here is wishing you and all those with you THE VERY BEST HOLIDAY SEASON.  May the new year bring you all the happiness, joy, good health and fortune you can handle!

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Clot Buster

#NYCMaraton #STOPTHECLOT

Did I really do this race this year?

Can't hardly believe that I was actually there.

It seems like a dream...

So here are some more photos to prove that I was actually there and that I races ALL of the 26.2 Miles...

Without a question AN AMAZING experience...

Now if just these nasty toe nails would finally move on and return to normal from their current state of black I would be thrilled...

These photos are chronological as to how my race progressed.  Luckily nobody pictured the crawling towards the end of the race... which is how I felt I should be going after Mile 23...

 

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Clot Buster

November Athlete of the Month (#StopTheClot #MarathonTraining)

Team STOP THE CLOT accomplished something remarkable during the first weekend of November...

Outside of raising funds (and I mean ALOT of mula) to continue NBCA's mission to create awareness against blood clots and blood clotting disorders something very remarkable happened during the first weekend of November...

The TRULY remarkable thing I am talking about was the fact that 5 blood clot survivors completed the 26.2 Miles of that windy Sunday race after each of them faced the incredible challenge of dealing with their own clotting incident and coming back to do something that pushed them to the limit.

I've wrote this before but I am writing it again, I am very fortunate to have had the chance to run in the marathon representing the STOP THE CLOT cause but I am even more lucky to have had the opportunity to meet all of the 5 clot survivors and better yet with this post get to share their inspiring story with all of you...

Please allow me introduce to you SUSAN GRAHAM who has been kind enough to take sometime and share her story of survival and come back with all of us.  Without a question another inspiring story that certainly can get anyone going.

Go ahead and read on about what Susan had to say to my usual set of questions...

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

Triathlon (swim/bike/run). I like the chaos of transitioning from one discipline to the next, the camaraderie of training with friends and the sense of accomplishment at the end of each race.

2) How did you get started in that sport?

In March 2008, I was finding my bearings around New York City, having moved there nine months earlier. In the midst of a cold winter and workout funk, I wanted to switch up my lackluster gym routine. That is when I discovered Asphalt Green, a not-for-profit sports and fitness organization and athletic complex that houses an amazing 50-Meter Olympic pool. While signing up for a swim membership, I noticed that Asphalt Green also had a Triathlon Club and I joined the Asphalt Green Triathlon Club (AGTC) that same day and have been a member ever since. That summer, I finished my first tri, the Mighty Hamptons Triathlon in Sag Harbor, NY.

3) What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve? (Long bike ride, some race coming up or that you did)

I just fund-raised $2,700 for the National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA) and completed the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 3rd along with my amazing Team Stop the Clot teammates! My next goal is to complete a full Ironman distance Triathlon (2.4 mi swim/ 112 mi bike/ 26.2 mi run) sometime in the next two years.

4) Tell us about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission?

I suffered a bi-lateral Pulmonary Embolism (PE) in July 2009, just days away from competing in the New York City Triathlon. I had numerous blood clots in all five lobes of my lungs. Currently, I am not on blood thinners, despite having one copy of Factor V Leiden, the gene that causes the blood clotting disorder. I bounced back pretty quickly and began running again two weeks after my PE. My recovery period included five months of blood thinners, so I did stop cycling during that time. I was very lucky and I am grateful every day to be alive and well.

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

Two months after being hospitalized for my PE, I joined a team of eleven runners that competed in Reach the Beach, an adventure running race across the state of New Hampshire from the mountains to the beach. The following month, I did the swim portion of a relay team for the MightyMan Montauk Half Iron Triathlon in Montauk, NY. I was scared to do both, but I knew I had to get back at it.

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...)
These days, I’m partial to my Asics GEL-Nimbus 15 running shoes as they practically ran themselves through the five boroughs of New York City!

7) How much are you getting out doing your sport? (Every day you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week)
For the Marathon, I trained five days a week—three maintenance runs, one long run and one Vinyassa Flow Yoga class (day before long run). The other two days I rested.

8) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...
A Chipotle [Veggie] Burrito ranks high on my list too! My favorite food was ice cream, though we needed to break up—our relationship was just not healthy!

I follow a pescetarian diet and eat pretty much everything (on the healthy side), but land animals and birds. I try and take in a combination of protein and carbohydrates within 30 minutes of finishing a workout as it helps the body recover faster from the stress and muscle breakdown. I like low-fat plain Greek yogurt and a banana.

9) If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?
I often dream about cycling in the Swiss Alps.

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 is to always listen to your body and modify your activities accordingly. Be proactive about your health. Since my PE, I have completed three Half Ironman distance Triathlons, three Century (100 mile) bike rides and one Marathon—it is possible to return to do what you enjoy! I am always concerned that I could have another blood clotting episode, but thanks to organizations like NBCA, I know the signs to look out for.

Susan THANK YOU for sharing your story and your experience.   I know that you will do that IRONMAN you are looking to accomplish in the next two years.  Reading about how you have been able to recover there is no question that your drive, dedication, and discipline will get your there.  I just hope that you can bring us along because your inspiration to push the boundaries can lead many others to achieve their own story of survival.  

Thanks for reading,  

The Clot Buster

#StopTheClot #NYCMarathon

Although I read many reviews on-line the experience throughout the 26.2 Miles blew me away...

It is very difficult to put in words the fact that I got to participate on this event and what I felt during it.

Without a question I have to start with a THANK YOU.

THANK YOU to all who were kind enough to donate to this fundraising effort. 

THANK YOU not only for the donation but also for the encouragement and support. 

THANK YOU 1 Million times over.

While on course I was not alone...

First I had the spirit of all the blood clot survivors with me with their names on my shirt the entire length of the course.  When the going got hard around Mile 16 and Mile 23 I looked down at the names on my shirt and I could some strength from knowing what each and everyone of them has been through with their clotting incident.

Second all of the spectators lined up throughout the length of the course.  I was and I still am in awe of the number of people out there who were cheering as loud as they could.  During the first few miles of the race I lost track of where I was because I was distracted by the sheer number of people everywhere. 

I've been to my fair share of races in my years of racing and I have to confess that experiencing the spectators in NYC tops them all.  I truly enjoyed that aspect of the race.

Now, there were things I did not enjoy...

The wait.  The long 4 hours I had to wait before the race could start.

Looking back now I can't help but think that, although I did everything I could to save my legs during the wait, that I try to manage my eating so that it was there when I needed it and not too soon, and that I huddled with hundreds of others under the available tents away from the cold and wind, my legs were starting this race in disadvantage and with fatigue that I would normally not have.

Looking back also I could argue that I should have dialed it back a bit during the early miles so that I could be "fresher" towards the end... knowing myself I can't buy that.  I know all to well that if I don't put the hammer down during the early miles and I still struggle towards the end I can't feel satisfied with my strategy.  Somehow, I can put my mind at ease if I put the effort down during the early miles and hold on until the end...

Hold on is what I tried to do last Sunday.  If the cramping would have not started on Mile 23 I was on pace to come away from NYC with my best time in the marathon.  The left groin cramps left me walking at times which slowed me down even more. 

It is very interesting how in retrospect I can go back and re-evaluate the race step by step trying to figure why I cramped so bad when I did when during training I did not have that problem.  Not sure if I ever will be able to solve the issue but I will keep trying so next time I am prepared...

But regardless of my analysis I AM OVER THE MOON with getting the chance to participate and finish.  More so, I am even more excited that all of us from team #StopTheClot finished.  Without a question that during our waiting period our reason for running surfaced so we were also able to spread the word about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.  I know one of our runners discovered that a lady running next to him had a PE not too long ago and this was her first event back.  How about that?!?!

So the NYC Marathon is behind me.  What is next? What race/races should I consider in 2014? At this point anything goes... into consideration...

As the soreness from the legs dissipates some more I hope that some clarity on what I want to do in 2014 will come into view.

Stay tuned as you never know when the CLOT BUSTER polka-dots can be toeing a start line near you...

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

 P.S. = As more pictures from the race surface I will add them accordingly...

#StopTheClot #NYCMarathon #MarathonTraining IT IS TIME...

3 Long months of training...

Attempting to figure out this 26.2 Mile puzzle...

I don't want to walk or even slow down...

Just hope my legs can hold on and handle the pounding...

Can I be patient enough at the start and not go out too fast...?

Can I handle the 4 hours of waiting that I have ahead of me prior to the start..?

How am I going to stay warm until my start at 9:40AM...?

Keep looking to find an edge that will keep me running the entire length of the course...

Wait...

...

The last item I have resolved... I do have the edge that will keep me running the length of the course. 

I will have with me on my polka-dots the names of all of the CLOT BUSTER Athlete of the Month folks that I have featured on this blog along with many other names of blood clot survivors that I know that I want to celebrate during the 26.2 Miles. 

I know that the polka dots on my shirt will not be enough and I don't want them to be enough to names all of the survivors that I know.  But someday with so many Clot Busters running out there we will have plenty of polka-dots to represent them all.

Follow my twitter feed @clotbuster so that you can see the progress I am making to get my jersey ready for Sunday.

Also if you are interested on how "well" I am doing on this journey you can check out the following link that provides several options on how to keep track of me >>> http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/spectators/trackmyrunners.htm

I have a goal time in mind but I don't want to make it public as I may jinx myself and I want to give myself the best possible chance to meet that goal time.  I am shooting for Personal Best because that is the only way I know how to honor all those survivors that I know.

Finally, THANK YOU to all of you donated to my fundraising effort.  Myself and all of NBCA appreciates your contribution very much.

Can't believe that it is here...

Time to get my polka-dots on and see if I can make it.

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

October Athlete of the Month (#StopTheClot #MarathonTraining)

Less than 4 weeks to go as I write this post...

Hard to believe that it is almost here and that I've been training all out running for well over 3 months...

Can't wait to toe the line in NYC and carry with me in each polka-dots the memory of a clot survivors that are not only an inspiration for me but to many others fighting their clotting incident.

There will be SEVERAL of us running on November 3rd which means a whole lot of polka-dots will be seen throughout the course.

Over the years some of the members of Team STOP THE CLOT have been featured on this blog.  Amongst them you have =

August 2012 - KAREN KHODADI

October 2012 - ERIC O'CONNOR

January 2012 - DAVID PIETRANGELO

And now October 2013's CRYSTAL GORDON!!!

Through the magic of the internet, once more, I've been able to cross paths with Crystal and even through email you can feel the contagious energy that a blood clotting incident could NOT bring down.  Her drive and enthusiasm certainly has allowed her to recover and be training for the NYC Marathon.  I am looking forward to finally get to meet her in person and maybe get some of that energy and drive rubbed off on me so that I can finish the 26.2 Miles close to when she finishes as I am sure she will leave me in her dust...

Please read on below to learn more about Crystal's background, her clotting incident story, and her inspiring words of wisdom she is so kindly sharing with us...

 

1) What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? Running. I love all that running has to offer: an escape from the daily grind, the mental and physical challenge, the training, the races, friendship and that feeling you get when you cross the finish line. It has helped me to escape all the thoughts that goes through ones mind post PE.

2) How did you get started in that sport?

I've ran off and on for over 10 years now but what really got me to become a runner is when my father was diagnosed with colon cancer over 5 years ago. After getting that news I decided to raise money and run my first 5K in his honor. After that first race I was hooked. 

3) What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?(Long bike ride, some race coming up or that you did)  

I've been training for the NYC Marathon to run along side you (she means me The Clot Buster) and the rest of Team Stop the Clot at the end of this month.  Post PE I said I'd never run another marathon and well now here I am getting ready to run my first marathon since that day.

4) Tell us about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? 

My clotting episode happened after returning from a vacation out west with my husband. I had just ran the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon and had been feeling weak since. After a few days of not being able to return to my normal workout routine I decided to visit my doctor who suspected the pulmonary embolism. I was diagnosed with bilateral pulmonary emboli with infract. I had over 8 blood clots in my lungs.

I have blogged my experience from that day here:

http://therunningbox.blogspot.com/2012/08/running-saved-my-life-true-story.html

Here is my story one year later:

http://therunningbox.blogspot.com/2013/07/25-july-year-later.html

I was out of commission for quite a few months. My doctors really gave me no limitations and just told me to listen to my body. So from the very start I'd push myself as much s I could. The first 3 weeks it basically took me everything I had just to walk from one point to the next. I was slow but never gave up. I noticed doing nothing made my mind wander. I disliked very much yoga and pilates but because it was something I could do I started there then slowly built my way back.

After 6 months on blood thinners they took me off and discovered that I have a severe from of protein S deficiency (a clotting disorder). I was placed back on blood thinners and will be on them indefinitely.

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

About 2 months post PE I went out for a small run with a group of friends. I struggled and knew I wasn't quite ready but just being back out there for the brief period of time gave me hope. It was really this past Jan-Feb I was able to up my mileage and gradually add speed. I'm still not as fast as I was but I'm working on it.

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...) 

Asics running kicks, my compression socks and my Bryce Canyon tech shirt. My tech shirt reminds me that no matter how strong we think are in the end we are still flesh and blood. We can break. Our support systems (family, friends, fellow clot busters) and inner strength are what carry us through.

7) How much are you getting out doing your sport? (Everyday you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week) 

I run 4 times a week. a long run, tempo, speed and recovery run. I also have a great trainer/bootcamp classes and include weight training multiple times a week.

8) What is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito...

Gosh thats tough I like all food! Post run I like avacado and eggs. In general my fav is pretty much anything that has Nutella , peanut butter or pumpkin in it.

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

Australia. I'd love to run the Sydney Half Marathon do some off road exploring in the outback with my husband.

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.

To anyone going through a similar experience I would say stay strong it gets better. You will come back to the strength and endurance you once had and you might just come back better than ever. Reach out to support groups they help. Facebook, The Clot Buster blog, Blood Clot Recovery Network, National Blood Clot Alliance and so many more sights have great stories, advice, and tips on recovery, blood thinners and more. I've never been an emotional person so for me learning that I almost lost my life brought me to tears many times. Once I realized that I needed this breakdown before I could become stronger, I stopped feeling weak. Realize that this is serious and your body has been through a great deal. It takes going to take time, even years to heal both physically and mentally.

After getting back into my sport and life in general things I make sure to exercise, eat right (vitamin K balance), stay on top on my INR, and stay very well hydrated.

I am so THANKFUL to Crystal for her willingness to share her story and perspective.

Without a doubt she brings a great deal of inspiration to all of us and I am rooting for her to make it to the finish line in NYC, Australia, and anywhere else she wishes to race. 

I know that she will be fast on November 3rd and SHE WILL SMILE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

I am truly honored to be racing alongside Crystal and all the other clot survivors in the STOP THE CLOT 2013 Running Team.

Get inspired!

Thanks for reading,

The Clot Buster

If I am not training for the marathon...

... I am playing around in magical places.

There is plenty of walking and standing around to satisfy the need for training fatigue...

 

Great times all around!

 

Now, slowly returning to the swing of life here at home and to running form... hopefully.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

The Clot Buster