Yeah, I made it to Boston , Ive walked the Rome and Portland marathons a couple times, and yeah Ive been written up in lots of walk magazines and medical journals, but I think a lot of people who hear about me or read my blog, assume that because Ive done all these things, that I lead an exciting life and that my asthma is well controlled and more of a nuisance than anything else. What they don’t see, and what I rarely write about unless I’m really sick, is the hell I go though on a daily basis when I’m not doing all those “fun” things.

Most days start out pretty good with my best breathing occurring during the morning hours. That effect however, rarely extends into the afternoon. Generally, as the day progresses, so does my breathlessness. If I eat even a small meal for lunch or dinner, the bloating that results, only adds to my breathing discomfort. By early evening I’m usually so short of breath , that I will have to take neb treatments every hour or two until bedtime. On most evenings I have to take Ativan or a strong opiate to quell my dyspnea enough to where I can nod off. When it’s time to go to bed I pre- medicate with a neb treatment , 2 Motrins and a half a vicodin.

If I’m able to sleep at all, it’s usually for no more than 2 hours at a time and then I wake up gasping for air. Sometimes I’m so physically exhausted that I will lay there in a semi- awake state feeling myself suffocating…it’s an awful feeling. After about 5 minutes of that, I have to sit up to catch my breath and then get up and take a breathing treatment. By the time I finish with the breathing treatment, I’m unable to fall back asleep and will lay in bed wide awake until the sun rises. By 4 am my shoulder muscles are hurting so bad from shrugging them all night long, that I’m forced to get out of bed just to relieve the pain. Finally by 6am when the 9 pills and the 3 different inhalers I took finally kick in, I’ll usually start to feel pretty good again. After that, if all goes well, I have about a 8 hour window of decent breathing, in which to get my daily chores done, walk , and get my daily exercise and/or training in.

Keep in mind that the above scenario only plays out when I’m having a relatively GOOD breathing day. On the not-so -good breathing days, you can skip the exercise part all together…or anything physical for that matter. If my asthma gets out of hand, then I have to deal with the uncertainty of just how bad it will get and the added stress of possibly being admitted to the hospital…or worse. Then there’s burden that these things place on the people who care about me.

So yeah, Ive done some pretty amazing things and I hope to continue doing more, but at the end of the day I’m just a regular dude with really bad asthma and a tremendous will, dealing with this disease the best I can.

Boy, I’ve been home for a couple of days now and I’m still jet-lagged. This always affects me more on the return flight for some reason. Anyways, Rome out did herself this year. The 15th edition of Maratona di Roma was by far the best one yet, and in my opinion, is now one of the top 3 best marathons in world! They really got it together this year. I don’t think Ive ever seen so many volunteers or staff in a single race before. Without exaggeration, the number of support people had to be in the thousands . As far as actually runners, I don’t think they were far off when they predicted 100,000 would participate. I have never seen so many people in one place at one time for a sporting event. The first place winner came in at something like 2:07 which I believe is a record for the course.

As for my racing stats, well, let’s just say I didn’t break any records. But, I felt good, I was breathing well ,I soaked in as much of the atmosphere as I could and had the time of my life. Actually I would say, that the marathon was the highlight for the entire trip. Even though this was one of my slowest races ( 3:23 for the first 21 km) , I managed to cross the 21km point within the course time limit which is really all that I wanted to do.

As planned, I completed 21 of the 42 kms , but actually ended up walking 30km to catch the SAG bus back to the finish area. I have to say, I’m kinda glad that I stuck to my guns and stopped when I did, because as tempting as it was to keep going, my legs were already starting to cramp. I’m not really sure that I would have been able to finish the entire race….without really hurting myself.
Even though I didn’t do the entire race, when I got back to the finish area they called me up to the stage and congratulated me in front of a million people and cameras. They then presented me with a special gift ( pictures of which I will post at a later time).

All I can say, is that if you ever get a chance, do this race! It’s an experience you will never forget.

Here are some pictures I took during the actual race. Some of them are kind of blurry as I was in motion during most of them.

I arrived in Italy a full week ahead the race, but jet lag prevented me from doing all things I wanted to do. I was able to get down to Ercolano for a day and visit the scavi ( the excavation of the ruins of Herculaneum). What a fascinating place to visit. It’s hard to believe that an entire city was buried underneath the soot of the Mt Vesuvius eruption some 2000 years ago. Everything is as if it was frozen in time (for lack of a better word). It is literally a huge pit that they are still unearthing to this day.

From Ercolano I went on to Sorrento, but was too tired from my day at Herculaneum to go further south to the Amalfy coast or to visit the other more famous ruins site at Pompeii . Definitely, on my next visit.

Here are some pictures I took during my time in Ercolano.

After returning back to the north, I spent a couple days roaming

around Rome. I skipped the Vatican Museums, because again, I was racking up too many miles and really needed to spare my legs for the race. I focused mainly on the Pantheon area and some other tourist spots that I missed the last time I was here.

Here are a few misc shots of I took while “roaming” around Rome… including the infamous train station ..Rome Termini (I don’t know why I’m so fascinated by that railway station).

Lastly, but certainly not least, is the town of Zagarolo. This was my home base and where I usually stay when I come to Italy. It’s also one of my favorite places in the whole country. It’s definitely a different way of life here, one that I think I could get very used too.
Here are some pictures of I took of Zagarolo.

Finally, here’s a collage of video clips of the things I did and the places I saw on my short stay. I had to chop about 15 minutes off it because of the Youtube time limit. A short clip of the marathon is at the end . Sorry, the playback quality isn’t that great ,cuz the camera was bouncing all over. You can actually see my feet as I’m walking ( the orange shoes).

OK…..Next adventure is the Boston Marathon in just 3 weeks. I’m excited about that trip as well, because Ive never been to any of the New England states.

OK…If I get sick, it’s all your fault! ……… just kidding. Thanks everyone for your input !

You know, I could easily lock myself up in an air tight plastic bubble for the next two months until the Boston marathon rolls around, but experience with this disease has taught me that no matter what I do to avoid getting sick, if my lungs wanna act-up…their gonna act-up.
So, after carefully weighing all the pros and cons, and assuming that I’m breathing well enough to travel in a couple weeks, this is where I’ll be on the morning of March 22nd………along with 100,000 other manics.

And this is where I’ll be that afternoon…….

I think that as long as I don’t over do it during the marathon, that I’ll be OK for Boston. The bulk of my training has already been completed, so in a worst case scenario ( ie…if I were to get sick during or immediately following my trip to Italy), Id still have about 4 weeks to recover and get my s**t together before B day.

With that issue resolved, I can re focus my attention on my upcoming Roman adventure. In addition to Rome and the surrounding communities, I’m also gonna head south, just past Naples for a day to see the ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum

If I have enough time , I also want to take the Mt Vesuvius hiking tour around the rim of Volcano.

Now that the pipe dream of becoming one of the first lung challenged athletes ever granted a mobility impaired slot in the Boston marathon has become reality, I have to make some tough decisions about the other marathon that I love so much. I’m referring of course, to the Rome marathon. Obviously, I can’t do both ..(they’re only 4 weeks apart). I think it would be a huge disappointment it I went all the way to Italy and wasn’t able to participate in the race, but it would be an even bigger disappointment if I went to Italy, got sick and then had to forgo Boston.

Most people would say it’s a no-brainer…just cancel Rome!… but it’s not that easy for me. The Rome marathon promoters and the Italian media have been very kind to me and I hate to give the impression that I chose Boston over Rome. In my opinion the Rome marathon is the best marathon in the world for ambiance and historical scenery. I had a wonderful time doing it last year and wanted very much to do it again. The Boston marathon on the other hand, is without doubt, the most prestige pedestrian race of all time and is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone like me. If I passed up this opportunity, I’d probably regret it for the rest of my life. I will never get a chance to do it again, because for all practical purposes, after this next race, I’m done with full marathons. My body just can’t handle the 26.2 mile distance anymore. After this, it’s half marathons or less.

So these are my options……. What would you do?

Option#1) Cancel my upcoming trip to Italy and reschedule at a later date when I don’t have a marathon to worry about.

Option#2) Go to Rome next month as planned , but only for 10 days instead of 3 weeks. Be present at the Rome marathon starting line as promised , but only walk the first half of the marathon(13.1 miles) and then voluntarily withdraw. I wouldn’t receive recognition for finishing, but that’s OK, because at least I would be able to say I participated , and by doing only half of the Rome Marathon, not only would I be saving my legs, but I’d be doing a 13 mile taper walk that I would have to anyway for Boston.

Option#3) Go to Rome as scheduled , but skip the marathon.

What ever I decide, I have to do it soon. The Rome marathon is only 4 weeks away and Boston is only 8 weeks out.

Btw….even though I was granted a disability slot in the Boston Marathon, I still had to have a qualifying finish time from a previous certified race, albeit a much more generous one than for regular entrants.

In preparing to do this marathon for the second time, I thought it would be cool to retrace the marathon route step-by -step. However, the only available map of the course ,which is located on the marathon website , is more of a illustration than an actual map. So I decided to create my own map using Google maps. With a little research I was able to obtain some of the actual street names. Using that info, along with the website illustrations and my own recollections of what I actually saw while doing the marathon , I was able to piece together, what I believe, is a very accurate virtual tour of the Marathon course. The only part of the map that might not be a 100% accurate , is where the course goes through St Peters square near the Vatican. (That part of the marathon route was just added for the 2009 race)

Talk about deja vu , as I was viewing the completed map , going street by street as the course weaves in and out along the Tigress river, I was actually getting goose bumps. I had forgotten just how overwhelming an experience this whole thing was for me at the time. Things that I had totally forgotten about were starting to come back in my head clearer than ever. Walking past certain buildings or seeing certain street scenes in this virtual trip, triggered almost the same emotions that I felt when I was there for real. I can even remember what I was thinking at the very moment I passed certain landmarks along the way…

To take a virtual tour of the marathon course at street level, click on “larger view” at the bottom of the map.When the new page opens , zoom in on any part of the course ( the purple line). Look for the little yellow man located on the toolbar on the left upper side of the viewing window and drag him anywhere along that purple line. Click the arrows to move forward and drag within the viewing window to get a 360 degree view. The start of the marathon is the in front of the Colosseum ( blue bubble) , the finish line is behind the Colosseum.

Btw….The Rome marathon people were so impressed by my map, they made it their own and put it on their Website!

Today I received my entry confirmation for the 2009 Maratona Di Roma in Rome Italy next March. I know it”s still 5 months away, but I”m very psyched! This to me, is the marathon of all marathons. And new for 2009, they’ve incorporated St Peters Square into the Marathon course. How cool is that?

Seriously, if you ever get the opportunity…. Do the Rome marathon! — It’s a life changer! And if you need help registering (which can be a daunting task if you”re in the United States) , contact me and I’ll show you how to cut through some of the red-tape.

]]> http://breathinstephen.com/im-in/feed/ 0 http://breathinstephen.com/off-to-the-eternal-city/ http://breathinstephen.com/off-to-the-eternal-city/#comments Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:27:40 +0000 Stephen http://breathinstephen.com/?p=645

(Piazza Navona)

Well, after a close call with my lungs this weekend , in just a few hours and with a ton medications in tow, I’ll be on a plane to Italy for the start of my Roman adventure. This trip has been in the planning for nearly eight months and there was no way ,short of being intubated , that I was gonna miss this opportunity.

My trip begins with an 11 hour flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt followed by another 2 hour flight to Rome, followed by a 90 minute train ride to where I’ll be staying. Net travel time … 24 hours . I have a portable neb machine that I’m hauling along , so I should be OK during the transit.

Once I’ve settled into my new diggs , I have 5 full days to Roam around Rome before the marathon on Sunday. Needless to say, I have a to-see list that’s a mile long. There are also a lot of people I hope to meet up with during my stay. My good friend, and legendary racewalker/elite runner , Hansi Rigney is flying out from California to run this race. I’m also hoping to bump into some of my Facebook Rome Marathon Group and TA ( TripAdvisor.com) friends, many of whom are traveling in from the UK and France. Believe it or not, even my dentist , who I apparently inspired to become a fitness walker, will be here to attempt his first marathon. As of the registration closing date, they had over 15,000 runners/walkers registered for the full marathon (6,000 of which are coming in from 76 different countries), and over 50,000 participants for the Stacittadina 4K fun run. Talk about a Big multi cultural block party! Good luck to all!

As you might imagine , I’m very excited about this trip, and yes…a little nervous too. After all, this is a pretty ambitious undertaking for someone with such funky and unpredictable lungs… I’m stepping way beyond my safety/comfort zone on this one . If my lungs get outta hand, I just can’t call my doc and tell him that I’ll be right in.

Seriously though, short of not going at all, I think Ive taken all the precautions I can. I’ve even purchased an emergency medical-evacuation plan which would supposedly jet me back to the US from anywhere on the planet if I’m hospitalized . I’ve missed out on way too much of this world because of these “what ifs?” in my life, and I refuse to let if happen anymore. If I’m breathing half way decent and I wanna travel half way around the world to sight see and walk a marathon…. I will. Hey, I may not bring home a medal this time, but I’m pretty sure I will come back much richer in other ways.

I dedicate this trip/walk to all the severe asthmatics out there who are not as fit or as lucky as I am.

Arrivederci !
A presto!
Next post in a couple of weeks.

]]> http://breathinstephen.com/off-to-the-eternal-city/feed/ 0 http://breathinstephen.com/picks-for-2008/ http://breathinstephen.com/picks-for-2008/#comments Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:02:00 +0000 Stephen http://breathinstephen.com/?p=470

1) Maratona Della Citta Di Roma (March 16th)
A beautiful ancient city and a marathon together? What more could you ask for!

2) E.T. Full Moon Midnight Marathon (August 17th)
“Running along the fringe of the mysterious Area 51, this stretch of highway (375) has an overwhelming number of reported UFO sightings. So much so, that in 1996 the federal government officially named highway 375 the “Extraterrestrial Highway”. The ET Highway has become a gathering place for UFO enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With elevations ranging from roughly 4000-5600 feet, the high desert will enchant you with gorgeous vegetation, surrounding mountains, and stunning vistas. An additional treat is the cooler temperatures. Rachel, NV is generally 15 degrees cooler than the Las Vegas Valley; coupled with a midnight run, temperatures should be in the 60′s in August! ”

Oh yes……this one’s definitely for me!

3) Portland Marathon (October 5th)
Where I caught the bug.

4) Trail of Two Cities Marathon ( November 9th)
New comer….I’ve heard nothing but things about this event.

]]> http://breathinstephen.com/picks-for-2008/feed/ 1 http://breathinstephen.com/how-does-the-saying-go-when-in-rome/ http://breathinstephen.com/how-does-the-saying-go-when-in-rome/#comments Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:55:00 +0000 Stephen http://breathinstephen.com/?p=420

Ok… I think I will !

Well, after months of working out the logistics, and obtaining the medical waivers, today I received official confirmation. March 16th 2008, I’ll be walking the Maratona Della Citta Di Roma or by it’s english name, the “City of Rome Marathon” …… in Rome, Italy!

What better way to see ancient Rome, than to walk a marathon right through the middle of it…. Kinda like walking 2000 years back in time!
“Starting and finishing at the Roman Colosseum, runners and walkers will pass by all the the major landmarks including, the Vatican/St. Peter’s Square, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Del Popolo, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain”, etc etc.
How cool is that! Plus … I got great accommodations just 2 blocks from the starting line ( the Colosseum)

As you might imagine, this is quite an ambitious endeavor for me and not everyone is exactly thrilled with the idea (especially my pulmonologists). Traveling 6500 miles alone, to a foreign country with questionable air quality, and then to walk a marathon through it, has them a little concerned. I admit, a trip like this can seem a little daunting for a person with health issues, but we’re talking ROME baby!

Just getting getting there will be a challenge. Unlike my typical weekend /marathon getaways , this time I have to haul a ton of drugs and asthma paraphernalia half way around the world, and I have no idea of how my lungs are going to react to the climate once I get there. Heck, just staying healthy on the 12 hour flight over will be a trick, but these are risks I’m prepared to take on.

As for the marathon itself ? Their expecting a record turnout . Upwards of 25,000 runners and walkers for the marathon and 5K races. It’s also received excellent reviews by most people. A little different than most Americans are used to maybe (not as many creature comforts..such as toilets, water lol ), but they say that the scenery along the course, more than makes up for the lack of facilities–it’s breathtakingly beautiful! And except for the cobble stone streets here and there, the course is pretty much flat .The weather in March is supposed to be very nice and the air quality, though not as good as SF, is probably better than LA ….I’m not too worried about it.

I don’t know how many marathons I have left in me, but this is one I really want to do.

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