Normally I'd be super excited that it's the Friday heading into Pittsburgh Marathon weekend. But sadly enough, I will not be racing this year.
I know, I know. The irony. Yesterday I posted about running the Rite Aid Cleveland 10K to raise money and awareness for VHL. Earlier this week I posted about The Run Challenge. So why in the world am I not running on Sunday?
Well, it's not by choice. Certainly not by choice, because I am the first to admit that I am not always the smartest runner. I don't train as well as I should, but I do fuel and hydrate like a pro ;) Gee - wonder why?
Remember back in those glorious sick days when I mentioned that I had passed a test that would have flipped my life upside down? Allow me to explain.
Not long ago, my dad was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. For those of you that are not familiar, this is a disease affecting the heart muscle in which a portion is thickened for no apparent reason. Most notably, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
Upon finding out that my dad has this disease - which is genetic - I was advised to get tested by undergoing a simple echocardiogram. I did so back in February and was told that my results all came back clear.
However, last week, my dad had the opportunity to meet with the Co-Director of the UPMC Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center (say that three times fast!) to discuss his situation and what it means for him and our family moving forward. Long story short, the doctor would like to personally review my test results, and has also ordered some very specific blood work for my dad (which takes 6-8 weeks) that I may need to follow-up with as well to ensure that I absolutely, positively do not carry any genes/have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
After being strongly advised by this physician NOT to run this weekend (before he can review my test results and possibly order my bloodwork) combined with the fact that pneumonia totally kicked my ass and has left me in the dust (SUCH a humbling experience), I have decided it is not in my best interest to run on Sunday.
If there's one thing I've learned over the past few months, it's that without your health, you have nothing. This is just one small race in the grand scheme of life. There will be more half marathons. There will be more full marathons. There will be (hopefully) an Ironman. But it's not worth risking my health for one race.
I know, I know. The irony. Yesterday I posted about running the Rite Aid Cleveland 10K to raise money and awareness for VHL. Earlier this week I posted about The Run Challenge. So why in the world am I not running on Sunday?
Well, it's not by choice. Certainly not by choice, because I am the first to admit that I am not always the smartest runner. I don't train as well as I should, but I do fuel and hydrate like a pro ;) Gee - wonder why?
Remember back in those glorious sick days when I mentioned that I had passed a test that would have flipped my life upside down? Allow me to explain.
Not long ago, my dad was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. For those of you that are not familiar, this is a disease affecting the heart muscle in which a portion is thickened for no apparent reason. Most notably, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
Upon finding out that my dad has this disease - which is genetic - I was advised to get tested by undergoing a simple echocardiogram. I did so back in February and was told that my results all came back clear.
However, last week, my dad had the opportunity to meet with the Co-Director of the UPMC Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center (say that three times fast!) to discuss his situation and what it means for him and our family moving forward. Long story short, the doctor would like to personally review my test results, and has also ordered some very specific blood work for my dad (which takes 6-8 weeks) that I may need to follow-up with as well to ensure that I absolutely, positively do not carry any genes/have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
After being strongly advised by this physician NOT to run this weekend (before he can review my test results and possibly order my bloodwork) combined with the fact that pneumonia totally kicked my ass and has left me in the dust (SUCH a humbling experience), I have decided it is not in my best interest to run on Sunday.
If there's one thing I've learned over the past few months, it's that without your health, you have nothing. This is just one small race in the grand scheme of life. There will be more half marathons. There will be more full marathons. There will be (hopefully) an Ironman. But it's not worth risking my health for one race.
Happy and healthy times on our wedding day. Clearly I took it very seriously!
I am keeping up with The Run Challenge - hence the short, slow mileage - and plan to run the Rite Aid Cleveland 10K at a smooth and comfortable pace. But I am putting my body first. It's a humbling experience, and I challenge everyone to try it. You'll be surprised with what you might learn about yourself.
Good luck to all of the 2012 Pittsburgh Marathon runners!
I can't wait to hear about how each of you do and all the fun you have!
I can't wait to hear about how each of you do and all the fun you have!
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