Boston Marathon

[theflyjd]

I wanted to let you all know that I completed the Boston Marathon a week ago in a time of 7 hours 6 minutes and 58  seconds. It was the coldest and windiest Boston Marathon in its 111 year history but I completed it! I wanted to thank you all for your encouragement and support. I am currently trying to get into the next group of VX950 tests but don't know if that will happen so I'm going to keep on keepin on until the end if necessary. While I'm waiting, I think I'll do the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon in June. Wish me luck. Thanks again.

[redsaleen97]

I'm sorry the meds didn't work for you- did you try Infergen? I've read a number of articles that suggest that physical conditioning has the same beneficial effect on the liver and other organs as it does with the heart. I've also read that it can delay disease progression. I had trouble with anemia the first month on TX (hglb was in the mid 10s) and wasn't able to do much riding, but the hglb rebounded back to 13.1 after the second month and I was able to resume training. I don't know how or if it affects TX outcome-I'll be getting my week 12 results soon. Keep on running!!

[theflyjd]

Thank you, redsalleen! That was a heck of a long bike ride you took. On tx, too! I was on tx until 7 weeks ago when lab tests showed it wasn't working. I did 2 Marathons in January during the last weeks of treatment so I know how difficult doing your bike race was. A lot of people in this room tell me that doing such physical activity while on treatment is not a good thing and perhaps they are right. However, I feel (and it sounds like you feel the same way) that staying active is the best way to overcome this horrendous disease. I have had 4 strokes to go along with the Hep C and even my neurologist told me to go for it! I'm sorry that you lost a family member to this disease and I hope your decision to stay active pays off for you. Thanks again, take care and God Bless.

[redsaleen97]

That's fantastic! I watched the coverage on Versus network-it looked pretty miserable as regards the weather. I can well understand why you did it anyway, though. I lost my brother to hep C liver failure in February and I'm on week 12 of TX myself. I just completed the 175 mile BP MS150 bicycle ride from Houston to Austin. It took longer than in past years, but just to get it done was a small miracle in itself, considering what some go through on treatment meds. Again, congratulations!

[theflyjd]

I'm glad you were out there cheering us on. I'm an older dude who walks/runs with a cane. I think I was the only person doing so. Anyway, if you saw a guy with a cane, that was me. I finished dead last but I finished in the worst conditions of any Boston Marathon ever!  I participated for Tedy's Team because I've had 4 strokes and Tedy Bruschi had one a couple years ago. It was an honor to run for his team AND complete the Boston Marathon. Thanks for your comments and I'll post when I complete the San Diego R&R Marathon in June.

[doobiegirl]

Congratulations Boston!! I was THERE!!!! I stood in the cold and watched all the runners with a thermos of hot chocolate! It's a small world isn't it?  The VERY BEST of luck to you in the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon. You can do it. We KNOW you can. Just keep on truckin' like the rest of us!

[lab-rat]

Congratulations!  I was thinking about you when I saw footage from the marathon. I'm so glad you made it - you're an inspiration.  

[dperry10]

Congratulations ! .. That is certainly something to be proud of.  It made me think of my trip to Orlando and walking Cypress Gardens felt like a Marathon to me..  Just to get from one bench to the next was my goal.. LOL  

[ladybug52]

You are truly one of the most amazing people who I have read posts from! Congratulations on entering and double kudos on finishing. If only willpower alone could cure this disease. I'd be sc***ed but you would be SVR.
Bug

[jmjm530]

I would also add that if I had the hemoglobin level required to run a marathon, instead of running it, I'd probably take more ribavirin to get my serum ribavirin up higher  levels at the expense of my hemoglobin. Studies suggest that anemia may help predict serum riba levels and therefore SVR.

Again, putting SVR as a priority. I do understand, however, that you stated your priority during treatment was you renewed lifestyle which includes marathons, so I'm really posting this for others that may want to follow. We're all adults, so as long as we know the risks and rewards, our decisions are the right ones.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

Congratulations again, but if you aren't aware, some feel that the type of vigorous training and exercise required to do a marathon compromises the immune system. Something everyone on treatment should take into consideration when trying to maximize their chances of SVR, not that running a marathon crosses too many of our thoughts :)

-- Jim

[rosebud57]

Congratulations to you for completing the Boston.

i also like to read your reports, i am in awe that you can even run 2 sec.s on this treatment.  just shows to go ya.. i mean goes to to show you that there are some who do really well in the hospice of this temporary poisioning.

i am interested in running, and prior to having health problems was running short distances.  i would love to try to do marathons or smaller 5k or 10k someday. i know its not too late.

i wonder if all your activity would help with the after effects of treatment, such as neuropathy that some experience, as you are really keeping the blood flowing.

good luck in the next one.

[theflyjd]

Thank you so very much, Myown. I appreciate your very kind words and I will always keep the room informed of my endeavors.

[Myown]

I was hoping you would post and let us know how you did. So glad to hear you completed the run. Thats great! And now another one maybe, wow. You are really something and an inspiration to us all.

I pray all works out this next time whenever you start tx. You are such an upbeat guy and nothing seems to hold you back from doing the things you love to do.  I love your attitude towards life.