Five Years Later

This Saturday, 18 November 2006 will be the fifth anniversary of my one and only marathon. The Philadelphia Marathon.

I trained for five months for that day, mostly by myself, occasionally with Joe, and my long marathon training runs, and the marathon itself were with my younger brother Ken.

While I was disappointed at my overall 4:55 performance, (at mile 15, mile left hip bursitis started acting up, and by mile 22 was agonizing) I persevered and finished what was to be my only marathon. I proudly display my finishers medal in my dining room.

After a brief recovery period, I continued on with my running, and the spring/summer of 2002 had my best racing season to date, with a 10 minute PR in a ten mile race, and an age group win in the local fun run

Less than a year later, my running/racing career came to an abrupt end, with the diagnosis of three heart conditions. Not to be destined to a life of couch potatoes, I began riding my bike, certainly not at the competitive level that I would have liked, but it kept my spirits and legs moving.

Earlier this year, I began experiencing problems, with my balance, falls, headaches, and tremors in my right arm and leg, among other things. I am currently undergoing a battery of test and am being followed by two neurologist, one of them being a specialist in MS.

So far, that have not ruled out nor have they diagnosed MS, but all indications are leading toward the MS diagnosis

A lot has happened to me in the time since my marathon. I have been thrown a lot of curves, but I still keep moving forward. I can't say that life has been easy for me, it hasn't. I am a very proud person, and over the years, especially in the last six months, I have had to really swallow my pride, and ask for help. Those of you who know me well, know how hard it's been on me to give up some of the things I truly love (running, and my EMS duties especially), and even asking friends, family, and neighbors for help. Even simple chores around the house are difficult for me.

Having the health problems that I have had, has really humbled me, but most of all, I have learned a lot about myself. While I am still having trouble adjusting and coping with some of the difficulties I have been facing. I am realizing the true kindness of people.

I thank God everyday for allowing me to have helped so many people and touch so many lives in my service to my community. I also thank God for giving me beautiful children, and a wonderful caring wife.

So, five years later, I am still here, my racing days may be over, but I still have plenty of life yet to live.

The picture above is me at about mile 17

--gfo