Running Man

Tucson runner Jolene Jones overcame life threatening illness to run her personal best and win her age group at the Saguaro National Park Race.

A beautiful run through the pines of Prescott, Arizona and Jolene Jones was sure her shortness of breath was due to running in the much thinner air of this mile high city.  The sharp pain preventing her from sleeping the next day led her to believe it could be more serious. Jolene didn’t know what was wrong, she couldn’t breathe, her doctors prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and she worried that she may have a broken rib or a strained muscle. However, a CAT Scan would point to something much more serious – Pulmonary Embolism – or blood clots in her lungs, not only affecting her breathing, but her body’s ability to transport life giving oxygen.

In just three short days after her Prescott run, she would be on oxygen and blood thinners fighting off blood clots that had invaded her lungs due to prescribed medications.  Jolene would spend the next three weeks almost in a daze, very lethargic, with daily trips to the doctor followed by oxygen and almost constant sleeping.

So begins Jolene’s New Year 2009, a scary episode in the life of this vibrant, active and determined young Tucson woman.  Leaving her to think what no 27-year-old should ever have to consider, “I don’t want to die, it’s not supposed to be like this.”

Surrounded by friends and family, Jolene could see the look of concern on their faces.  She tries to avoid it, but it seems everywhere she turns, there is another story of someone like her, someone that didn’t make it.  But Jolene has a unique outlook on life, much older than her 28 years.  She does not shy away from letting you know she has faced many challenges in her life, but is proud that this does not define her in any way.  “It gives me a good perspective and I wouldn’t change any of it” she says.   

Slowly the oxygen and blood thinners begin to work.  She begins to walk with friends, but is still concerned that a blood clot may find its way to her heart or brain.  Six weeks after Prescott, she returns to work full time.  A clear CAT scan in April gives her hope, but does not erase the fear of running, of taking those first tentative steps.  Encouraged by her running partners in The Workout Group, Jolene does take that first step.  Later that month, she decides to run in her first race.  She runs the whole way and finishes.  Paced by her Workout Group friends, two more races follow in May, each faster and stronger than the last.  As her health improves, Jolene begins to think “what if…?” 

Jolene began running several years ago to stay in shape, running fast was never the plan, “never on the radar” she says.  By June she is feeling as strong as ever.  The thought comes back, “what if…?”  She decides to go for it, tweaking her diet, adding miles to her weekly total.  By July she is running 40 miles a week, slim and feeling stronger than ever. Many of us didn’t see much of Jolene in the summer, but rumors were flying as reports of Jolene getting stronger and faster filtered in.  “Jolene is running 60 miles a week!”, “I ran with Jolene and she wasn’t even breathing hard”, “Jolene ran a 6:20 mile at the track meet”.  Each report always accompanied by a sense of awe and admiration.

Jolene set her sights on the 40^th Annual Saguaro National Park Race this past Labor Day.  She wants to run fast, but is unsure as the weight of her own expectations and those she perceives from her friends and family overwhelm her. “I’ve never been so nervous before,” she says.  To add to her jitters, Jolene has been selected as the recipient of the Southern Arizona Roadrunners’ Rob Bell Award.  Given to a local runner that embodies the spirit and the passion for running, the award memorializes local runner Rob Bell who passed away in 1999.  The jitters come because the recipient is announced at the Saguaro race to the crowd of 800 runners at the starting line.

Jolene’s race day goes by in a daze; she finishes the race in just over 61:00, on the hilly, eight-mile, gut wrenching course, far and away a personal best.  Then she’s on to the official presentation of the Rob Bell award from Rob’s family and past recipients.  Plaques, gifts, crowd recognition, all seem to go by in a blur. She reflects on her journey a few days later, “This has been the best year ever.  As crappy as some things have been, I have a real appreciation for what I’ve accomplished.”

So do we Jolene, so do we.

Oh yeah – Jolene took first in her competitive 25-29 age group…by nearly a minute.  But in reality, she has already accomplished much, much more than that.  She has her dreams back.

Time is fast.

 Time has been a constant theme in my world the past few weeks, and it has me thinking about the influence Time plays in our running lives.

I recently reconnected with an old high school teammate, and after compressing some 20+ years of life into a few minutes, we got down to the real question – “How is your running these days?”  My friend lamented the fact that we could no longer hit the road and rattle off 5:00 miles. I consoled him that those 8:00 miles will suit his knees just fine.  Plus, it doesn’t hurt to get into the mindset of the ‘used to’ and ‘now’.  As in, I used to run 5:00 miles, now I run 8:00 miles.  Time has that effect.

Running is a physical challenge at any age. Although things we could do without a thought when we were young, now require a 20 minute warm-up, stretching and a large dose of Vitamin I (ibuprofen). We haven’t lost the desire, but as our priorities change – marriage, family, children, mortgages, car payments – we can add Time as a challenge as well.  Finding Time to hit the trails or run with a group can be elusive for even the most organizationally gifted among us.

Don't let Time win.

Don’t get me wrong, I still have the desire to be competitive, but that takes Time.  And while it took me some time to overcome what my friend is going through, I am now comfortable with the ‘used to’ and ‘now’. Time provides the wisdom to savor the glow of completing a run, finishing a workout or competing in a race.  Time has value – time spent with family, loved ones, and time spent running are all important. So is the insight to not worry so much about running times, but more importantly making time to run.

I’m proud of my ‘used to’ but more proud of my ‘now’. I hope you are too.  So if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for some more Vitamin I.

Our group of runners has recently discovered a desert oasis nestled right here in the heart of Tucson.  Well positioned along the Rillito River Path, the Brandi Fenton Memorial Park features chilled drinking fountains, shaded ramadas, bathrooms and get this – a free water park!  Featuring water cannons, tipping water buckets and in-ground geysers, the park is a perfect way to ‘cool down’ after a nice run. At the junction of Dodge, Alvernon and River, the park is a hidden gem for runners, walkers and bikers looking for a respite along the path. 

The perfect way to cool down on the Rillito River Path

This fits nicely into our recent thoughts about running during the hot summer months in southern Arizona.  Many of you have asked about training tips during the summer and I think that I have found an option for those aching to get outside and off the treadmill.  The Rillito River Path provides more than 10 miles of paved and dirt paths along the Rillito River wash and, as I ran on the Rillito recently, an abundant amount of shade along the mesquite lined path early in the day.  Along with the Brandi Fenton Park, strategically placed drinking fountains along the path mean you’ll never have to go more than 10 – 15 minutes without a drink. Hit the trail at 6 a.m. and you are bound to have temperatures in the mid 70s.

It’s important to realize that many others have found the path as well, so there is a certain etiquette for being a ‘cool’ runner on the Rillito.  A sort of ‘Rules of the Path’, if you will: 

• The path is like the road – running/walking/riding is done on the right side of the path.
• Runners, yield to walkers; bikers & rollerbladers yield to both runners and walkers. 
• Pass on the left.  If you are passing someone from behind (especially you bikers), a simple “on your left” as you approach is helpful.  Yield where appropriate.
• If you are getting passed from behind, hold your line, let the person passing you determine the best way around you.  A quick movement may lead to an accident.
• ipods/mp3s are OK, but YOU are now required to be fully aware of your surroundings and others on the path.
• Dogs OK, but on a leash (and please, please take advantage of the well positioned dog scoopers and clean up after your dog).
• There are plenty of designated parking lots along the path.  Trader Joe’s opens at 9a, so the lot tends to be empty early in the day.  Brandi Fenton Park also has plenty of parking.

Mileage along the Rillito tends to be haphazardly marked.  Many well meaning bicyclists, runners and walkers have at various times marked mileage that doesn’t seem to make sense.  The best bet is to use the accompanying mileage chart from Pima County Parks & Recreation. The county has marked parts of the path in 1/10 mile increments and tried to mark mileage, using the Campbell bridge as

Mileage along the Rillito River Path using Cambell as the starting point

Alyson defends herself with the blue water cannon

 the ‘Zero Point’.  East or West bound, you are sure to be pleasantly surprised about what you’ll find.  From ‘Stonehenge’, a solar viewing circle at the end of the mesquite grove, about four miles west of Campbell, to the newly renovated rest area at Craycroft trail head about five miles east of Campbell. 

So get out early, follow the rules and you’ll get your miles in while avoiding the heat. Oh, and one last piece of etiquette to remember: it is perfectly acceptable to return fire with the blue water cannon at Brandi Fenton Park.