Ever Wanted to Push Yourself to RUN?

“Out on the roads, there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be.”
– George A. Sheehan, physician, senior athlete and author best known for his book, “Running & Being: The Total Experience,” which became a New York Times best seller.

Adult marathoner with hydrocephalus

Jeff, adult living with hydrocephalus, at the Rock and Roll Marathon start line

Are you a runner? Ever aspired to run a half or full marathon? Ever thought of running in honor of your loved one living with hydrocephalus? Do you have hydrocephalus and love to run?

There are a number of people living with hydrocephalus in our community that are extreme athletes. They love to push themselves to their limits. Jeff, an adult living with hydrocephalus, just completed his 8th marathon. “I got interested in running about 7 years ago. I read a book about running and health and fitness that I attribute to my life. It suggested that certain people may be interested in health and running because things may have happened in their lives that they were unable to control, such as an accident, condition, or disease. Exercise/ running helps you take control of the health aspects of your life that you can control. I have kept that thought in my head ever since I read it.”

For Jeff, running gives him a sense of freedom. “It feels like I can break away from the stress of the day and regain who I am … I feel free.”

For some of our athletes living with hydrocephalus, running provides a release when their shunts are under draining. Jennifer, an adult living with hydrocephalus who has had 108 brain surgeries, shared that, “…when I am under draining or experiencing severe body pain, it is a stress reliever and helps me drain more. It relieves some of the headache.” But both Jennifer and another exercise enthusiast from our community, Olivia, say that if they have low pressure or are over draining, it can be painful. Olivia, a three-sport high school athlete now attending college and who has endured over 120 brain surgeries, shares that working out helps her feel a lot better in general. Both women caution, however, that it is very important to know your limits and respect and listen to your body.

As Jeff shares, running can help someone feel more energetic, happy, and less stressed. It is also a great way to raise awareness for hydrocephalus and funds that help support the mission of the Hydrocephalus Association as we work towards a cure. This is not just for our athletes living with hydrocephalus! We’ve also supported friends and family members who have gotten up off that couch to run in honor of someone special in their life and to raise hydrocephalus awareness.

If you’ve dreamed of accomplishing this personal challenge … THIS IS YOUR YEAR!

Consider registering for one of your local running races. Every step you take will bring much needed awareness to a condition that affects millions of Americans.

Contact us to learn how to dedicate your run to the Hydrocephalus Association. Through a uniquely designed website, we’ll help you start an empowering campaign to raise funds to support our vital mission while achieving your personal best. To set up your HA honor-run, email walk@hydroassoc.org.

SET YOUR GOAL! Here’s a list of the top upcoming marathons.

Below we also list a race just for those with hydrocephalus! Read to the end.

Are you living with hydrocephalus and run or want to start running?

There’s a special race for you!

Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology and shunt manufacturing, and also a Hydrocephalus Association national partner, has a Global Heroes initiative for people whose lives have been improved by medical technology. Through their annual Global Heroes, “Life Runs On” initiative, Medtronic selects 25 people living with an eligible medical device to run in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon on October 1-9, 2017. Hint: Shunts qualify!

Global Heroes will receive the following:

  1. One Global Hero entry for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile race.
  2. One complimentary guest entry for the same race as participating Global Hero.
  3. Airfare to Minneapolis/St. Paul for the Global Hero and one guest.
  4. Lodging: one room, double occupancy.
  5. Meal allowance for the Global Hero winner.
  6. An array of other benefits and gifts.

All runners with eligible medical devices are welcome to apply with no restriction on manufacturer. Make sure to submit your application today! This is a great opportunity for people with hydrocephalus to tackle their personal challenge of completing a marathon. At the same time, you can bring awareness to the condition and the Hydrocephalus Association.

Visit Medtronic’s website for more info! HERE

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