This is my first post! I stated that I would write a blog on this journey to complete a marathon but it has proved to be a challenge due to time. I am participating with the National Stroke Association Marathon team in the New York Marathon on November 1, 2009 to help raise awareness. I have successfully raised over $3000.00 thanks to many generous donors on my way to my goal of $5000.00. If you would like to contribute to my endeavor to raise awareness about stroke, please visit my fundraising page at www.firstgiving/katemccarron.com and help me spread the word. It is not about the amount of donation but signing
I am proud to say I completed my 2nd 20 mile slow jog(slog) in Portland, Oregon and conquered what many fear after a stroke...wondering if you will have another one! It was a beautiful fall day with the temperature reaching near 80 degrees yesterday and I contemplated whether I should even go out. I had been suffering from a low grade virus and dental complications this week but decided to venture out about 10am. It was a much later start than I had anticipated but I slept in. My body that was telling me to get some extra rest but I probably needed to listen to it more.
In the past, I have stuck to a route that I am familiar with as I am most comfortable knowing the layout of the surface as my gait is not normal and I feel more assured if I am not to far from home. As a stroke survivor, I still have fear of a sneak attack of another stroke. While my risk of a 2nd stroke diminished after 2 years post stroke, I can not erase that my risk is higher than others and participating in an endurance physical activity such as preparing for a marathon does scare me. But it does not stop me...usually. I had run both my 18 miler and 20 miler around a 3.5 mile loop close to home and was getting extremely bored. Plus, I was getting slower which I thought may be part of the boredom. In fact my pace is close to the NY Sweeper truck at the end of the marathon so I knew I had to try something new!! But this meant setting off into new territory. I set off on foot yesterday to conquer the running loop around the Williamette river in downtown Portland. First, I had the thrill of running downhill for almost 2 miles from my home but it only lasted a short time as I struggled to keep my left foot headed forward as the tone in my left leg wanted to swing my foot inward. Once I slowed down and told myself to focus on each step instead of the view overlooking Portland, I managed to get into a rythem. I think the mental attention that is required by stroke survivors to perform simple tasks adds a level of exhaustion that no one appreciates.
It was so much fun to work my way through Portland State University and see so many people shopping at the Farmers Market. I then followed the route around the downtown Portland Waterfront making my way through walkers, bikers, runners and the Saturday Market crowd. I crossed the Steel bridge on the Williamette river and continued past OMSI to join the Springwater route south to the Sellwood bridge and back through Williamette Park. I had to complete one more loop around the Portland waterfront and go back out about 2 miles on the Springwater route to make the 20 mile goal. I finally finished my route by crossing back over the Hawthorne bridge and finishing in front of the Marriott hotel. The new environment and being around other people enjoying a beautiful Fall day inspired me as I struggled with the last 7 miles. I had to walk quite a bit of those last miles despite having tossed some walking spurts into my early part of the run. Despite my husband biking close by and providing drinks along the way, the past week of not feeling great really depleted my energy. And we soon found out, I was quite volume depleted. As we rode home in the car, I got very dizzy and luckily David was with me to get my seat back, nurse some fluids into me and assure me that my heart was beating fine and no, I was not going to have a stroke. As a doctor, friend and husband he knows how important it is for me to keep my hydration good and keep my electrolytes balanced. I had completed my previous long runs with no problems so this was a big surprise and quite frankly leaves me a bit shaken! I truly think I can do it but I want to complete 26.2 in a healthy way. This is a bit of a set back emotionally and physically but I will work on my nutrition and fluid intake as I continue this journey. And the thrill of completing 20 miles is so far beyond my expectations that I need to pinch myself! So much for just getting back to being a "functioning adult" in society as stated to me early in my Physical therapy. Stroke survivors have dreams and hopes that should be embraced as we do not know the full capabilities of the brain to heal. I may still not be able to perform all tasks normally and I struggle with controlling my emotions but I am capable of placing one foot and front of the other and completing a marathon. I will do this for me and for all others that are stroke survivors and can not join me but they will be with me in spirit as we continue along this journey of stroke education. I can't wait to meet my National Stroke Association team members as we prepare for our marathon on November 1. Today is a day of rest and relaxation! And I hope all stroke surivors, caregivers and friends will show up and cheer us on...we need your support!
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