David's Marathon

The Portland Marathon was on Sunday, September 30. Portland weather was clear and hot, quite unseasonably so. About 8000 participants gathered at 4th and Jefferson for the 7:00 start, which was delayed while the attendees paused for a moment of silence in recognition of the September 11th tragedies. The marathoners, as well as I can determine it, were about half walkers and half runners.

Marilyn G. and I are coworkers with the City of Palo Alto, California. We strapped on our walking shoes and were primed for the 26.2 mile event.

I was diagnosed with VHL in 1994 and used memories of that time as inspiration. In 1994, a brain tumor had caused severe headaches and severe dizziness. I could only walk to the bathroom from my bed with the aid of walker. I felt so sick that I couldn't eat. That tumor was removed and I have had several others treated over the intervening years with stereotactic radiosurgery. I also have kidney complications.

To explain the marathon undertaking goes back a few months. Marilyn and I have both enjoyed walking as a healthful activity for many years. One day, Marilyn approached me with the notion that she was going to prepare for and participate in the Portland Marathon. Would I mind, she asked, if she solicited contributions to the VHL Family Alliance as a fundraiser allied with her effort? I thought that was a wonderful idea, but would she mind if I did the training and the marathon also?

We both carefully followed the suggested training regimen for walking a marathon that was posted on the Portland Marathon web site, so we were well conditioned for the distance. We had the enthusiastic interest of our colleagues and family and friends to sustain us early on, as well as the commonly shared drive to 'just finish'. What we did not expect was the hot weather on the day of the race. Fortunately, the Portland event was beautifully organized with ample water service along the route.

Participants were walking for a number of worthy causes, including breast cancer and diabetes. There is a psychological advantage to having a cause to propel your effort.

I actually improved on my expected pace for the walk. In training, I aspired to maintain a fifteen minute mile pace. My actual pace in the marathon was influenced a little by the other participants around me, and at times I clocked miles at close to fourteen minutes. Marilyn and I walk at different paces, so we did not do the distance together.

Those of us with von Hippel-Lindau have been aided a great deal in the identification and management of our illness through the guidelines and support of the Family Alliance. I have always felt that managing my illness is only half the battle. The other half is managing my health. Walking and swimming are part of a regular regimen that allows me to keep fit and ready for the next VHL ordeal or really any ordeal that I happen upon. It might even be said that my quality of life has improved since the 1994 onset.

I am grateful for the interest and support that Marilyn and my friends have shown me over the years, and for the guidance and information of the Alliance.

As printed in the VHL Family Forum  9:5, December 2001.  For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.

mystory