Strava Marathon (Bellingham, MA)
Finish Time: 3:47
Pace: 8:40
Temp: 70
Conditions: Indoors
Run For: Paul
Recap:
The common theme of this marathon for Paul and the previous one for his sister Carli is IBD being present in the same family. The logical question is always, is IBD hereditary?
For ulcerative colitis, research suggests that genetic variations may be associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) and could be inherited. However, more research is needed to fully understand the role of genes in UC.
UC is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Of course, as of now, the exact cause of the condition isn’t known.
However, some research suggests that a family history of UC may be a big risk factor for developing the condition.
For Crohn’s Disease, the inheritance pattern of Crohn’s disease is unclear because many genetic and environmental factors are likely to be involved. However, Crohn’s disease tends to cluster in families; about 15 percent of affected people have a first-degree relative (such as a parent or sibling) with the disorder.
According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s website:
Genetic Factors
Crohn’s disease tends to run in families, so if you or a close relative has the disease, your family members have an increased chance of developing Crohn’s. Studies have shown that between 5% and 20% of people with IBD have a first-degree relative, such as a parent, child, or sibling, who also has one of the diseases. The genetic risk is greater with Crohn’s disease than ulcerative colitis.
Other Genetic Risk Factors
- The risk of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis is substantially higher when both parents have IBD.
- The disease is most common among people of eastern European backgrounds, including Jews of European descent.
- There have been an increased number of cases reported in African-American populations in recent years.
Having been involved with Team Challenge since 2010, I’ve run into (literally) a lot of people who have IBD and also have a family member who suffers as well.
If genetics play a role in those who have IBD it would seem to make the most recent news out of London about what researchers have discovered about a link with DNA and IBD. For more information about what was discovered this link is to a brief summary of this news. (https://apple.news/Aq5CsBfHxT8S8sxY1mat_Zg)
This also leads me to the topic of why I feel awareness is so important when it comes to IBD. Yes, research, and treatments cost money and that is also why I’m doing all of this to raise both, but this is huge news within the IBD community. A community I’ve been accepted into and continue to advocate for. It’s people like Paul and Carli who share their stories and give back their time to help those who also suffer. There are many awesome people like them who I’m truly honored to call friends. I do all this for them because no one wants to suffer, especially from all that comes with dealing with IBD. Stories like Paul’s are heartbreaking knowing the struggle and pain he has gone through, especially having seen his own sister go through the same.
Ending these diseases can’t come soon enough and possibly finding out reasons for how they start will for sure help us get a better understanding of how to treat and potentially cure both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease.
As for the running part of this marathon it went about as smooth and uneventful as I could have hoped for. My original plan was to run a portion of this one inside on the treadmill and then finish up running some outside. I was excited about both segments for different reasons. For the indoor segment I was able to catch up on some professional cycling coverage prior to the start of the Tour de France which is happening soon. Running on the treadmill while watching cycle races has become a new favorite hobby.
Not sure of how I was going to break down each segment, I managed to make it to 16 miles before taking a break to refuel. At this point it was now early afternoon and unfortunately, I didn’t pay attention to the weather before coming up with my plan. The sun was now blazing down, with humidity being just as high. It was nasty out there so I was left with two choices.
The first – Run outside for 10 miles in the heat and humidity which I wasn’t prepared for. I definitely didn’t hydrate as much as I should have prior to the 16 miles I’ve already completed and I just ran 16 miles trying to get hydrated which isn’t ideal.
The second – Run inside for 10 miles in the relative coolness of my basement back on the treadmill where I had as much access to as much water and Tailwind as I needed, literally right next to me the entire time. I could also continue catching up on cycling which was an added bonus.
I played it safe and went with the second option, running the final 10.2 miles inside with the access to fluids readily available and every fan aimed directly at my face and set on the highest speed. I was able to run this entire 26.2 at a pretty consistent pace for both sections. The knee issues I had dealt with prior was not a problem at all and I feel like it’s behind me completely now. I felt great while running and have had zero issues post run. I just need to work on nailing down the hydration a little better for the next one and make sure I check the weather forecast as well. Even those of us who have been running for years still struggle with the simplest aspects of the sport.
Last week I ran for Carli and this week I got to run for her brother Paul. It was always the plan to run a marathon for each of them and share their stories so closely together. I’m honored to be able to share this family’s story and battle with IBD among siblings and couldn’t have been happier to run the one for Paul. Like I mentioned in Carli’s recap, Paul ran the Chicago Marathon with Team Challenge a couple years ago with his crew, a true family accomplishment!
Thank you again Paul for allowing me to share your story and run a marathon for you. Being on this 26.2 For You endeavor is hard, but the motivation I get from friends like you helps keep me moving forward. Thank you for everything, this 26.2 was for you!
26.2 FOR YOU 