Pleasant news

[Fr Pat]

     I took up running after my kidney donation surgery and eventually got up to Marathon distance. As my 10 year donation anniversary will come around in February, and I'll have my 66th birthday in December, I thought I would make one last try at a Marathon and then cut back to shorter runs from now on. I was not at all sure I could do it again, but on Sunday I joined 25,000 other runners in the big "Naha Marathon" here in Okinawa, Japan, and although the last half was quite a chore I did make it to the finish line in 5 hours, 54 minutes & 34 seconds: just fast enough to get my Ryukyu Glass "Finisher" medallion.
     So, while it is very important that donors who have health complications or problems share their experiences to help potential donors it is also helpful, I think, to keep sharing the success stories. As donors we should be very pro-active about maintaining our kidney health and over-all health. To all donor-runners: "Keep on going!"
     best wishes,
        Fr. Pat (donor, '02)

[laurielee]

Great news, I do agree it is a positive thing to hear when donors do great, and you are definitely a success story.  I would give anything to be in your shoes and have the ability to do such a great thing, and feel so good about yourself.  This was pleasant news for sure.

[jatopa]

Congratulations!   Quite an accomplishment and very inspirational!

[dodger]

Oh congratulations!  That is a wonderful accomplishment, even if it might be your last, maybe. 

I have tried running training several times this last summer and my knees would have no part of it, I'm now 60.  So I can really appreciate the hard work you have put into this.  My one son has started mini's this summer, and our daughter is up to 10K.  Guess I will only be a walker and support team for them, haha

Thanks for sharing this bit of your life with us,  best wishes,   Janice

[WilliamLFreeman]

Fr Pat,   WAY TO GO!!

Dodger,   I was able to extend my marathon years to my mid 60's by converting to race walking.  [I had had to stop marathoning due to 2 consecutive stress fractures.]  Much easier on the knees, hips, and lower extremity bones -- though my times were slower.

Bill

[Michael]

Fr. Pat,

Thanks for sharing your success story. You're a great inspiration!

[ohtobeahayes]

You so completely rock!!!  Nice job!!!!!!!!!!!!  You are such an inspiration! THANK YOU!

[Jewels]

Wow!  Fr Pat...fantastic!  I have done 1 full marathon (pre-surgery) and I am not sure I have the guts to do another...you are an inspiration!  I have done 4 Half's (most recent was 2 weeks prior to surgery 4.5 months ago) and I just signed up for my next Half for next June...training has started!

Thanks for sharing your accomplishment!
Julie

[Orchidlady]

A wonderful feat at any age! Thanks for the inspiration!

[bergstromtori]

This is great.  I ran the Ogden Marathon (my 8th) with my recipient last May.  He had dialysis the night before and still ran great.  The running helped clean his blood.  The donation was in September.  We are now signed up for the Ogden Marathon 2012.  It will be great that he won't be on dialysis and to show eveyone that 8 months post op I am back to normal.  I am only up to 7 miles right now, but I am making great progress every week.  I am even started to get some of my speed back.

[Clark]

Bravo!  I prefer rowing and bicycling to running for aerobic exercise, and have been a Red Cross volunteer aid worker for the Boston Marathon in the past.  My amazement at how many folks take up such grueling distance running despite the risks is undimmed.  Kidney donation is easier, from my perspective!  Glad it brings you joy and that you have met this personal goal. 

[sherri]

Fr. Pat,

May you continue to be blessed with good health! Go forth and be strong!

All the best,

Sherri

[Aries7]

That is so fantastic Fr. Pat! You are such a great example for the rest of us to follow - WONDERFUL job!

Linda

[Scott337]

Fr. Pat,

You're my hero.  I too only began running since my donation surgery.  I currently run 5-7 miles several times each week.  I love it and my body appears to also.  You will be my inspiration, to continue running that is.  I don't see me ever running a full marathon, but I plan on running a half this early summer.  Thanks for being such a great HEALTH-MODEL friend.

Regards (and happy 66th!     )


Scott