Stop the Clot Archives - Words To Run By

Support Eric O’Connor and #Tread24

April 9, 2015 by Sara- Words to Run By Blog

I first connected with Eric about six months after my Pulmonary Embolism (blood clot in my lung) in 2012 through the Facebook Support Group Running After A Pulmonary Embolism. I went on a short run around my neighborhood and hesitantly posted this picture in the group.

Eric, a fellow survivor and runner, was one of the first people to respond with support and encouragement of my efforts to get out of the house and try to run again. We’ve kept in touch through the group and various running events that Eric has participated in over the last year, including the New York City Marathon.

Eric has remained a personal inspiration to me since then as an example of someone who has persevered through one of the worst events imaginable and continued on to excel at a sport we both share a passion for. Not only that, Eric is always available to offer a kind or encouraging word to someone who is struggling, including me.

Now, Eric needs your support. He is running 24 consecutive hours on a treadmill to raise awareness in support of the National Blood Clot Alliance. The event begins tomorrow, April 10 at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Why would anyone run for 24 hours on a treadmill, you ask? Eric’s reasons are simple:

Use run to build awareness of blood clots
Minimum 100 miles
Try something I’m not sure I can finish

Please join me in supporting Eric on his journey by visiting the Tread 24 website. You can read more about Eric, donate and join the fight against blood clots.

On average, 274 Americans die from a blood clot every day and 30 percent of Pulmonary Embolisms are fatal. More people die from blood clots each year than the total number of people who lose their lives each year to AIDS, breast cancer, and motor vehicle crashes combined.

Watch Eric live tomorrow here beginning at noon and please spread the word about this important word by using the hashtag #Tread24. You may even choose to run a few miles in solidarity with Eric and the National Blood Clot Alliance at some point on Friday or Saturday. I plan to do the same.

Good luck, Eric! I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.

Until the next mile marker,

Leave a Comment Filed Under: Blood Clots (DVT and PE), Running

Starting 2015 Off on the Right Foot – Tiux Compression Giveaway!

January 1, 2015 by Sara- Words to Run By Blog

I always knew compression was an important part of recovery for runners and athletes, but before suffer from a blood clot in 2012, I didn’t realize how important compression wear would actually become for me. Not only do I wear it anytime I exercise – even going for a walk since my clotting incident, but compression socks have become a permanent part of my wardrobe. I was recently fitted for medical compression stockings (which, are very expensive) and the specialist told me more and more people are wearing compression sans exercise, for example, if they sit at a desk or stand all day. Blood clots are an increasingly scary and deadly risk. And according to the National Blood Clot Alliance, blood clots are killing around 274 Americans each day if they travel to the heart, lungs (as in my case) or brain. That could have been me. After surviving my ordeal, I am happy to wear compression as a preventative measure.

When I was contacted by Tiux Compression socks, I was immediately interested – Premium socks, cool colors, free shipping, comfort design – all for just $35. That’s right $35. It sounds too good to be true, right? Here’s how they do it:

I wanted to give Tiux a try (I’ll admit, I’m a fan of CEP for sports compression and wear my boring skin-colored medical stockings daily) when my doctor decreased my compression requirement to graduated compression 20-25 mmHg to increase blood circulation in my legs. Tiux fits that requirement for me, and I was ecstatic when these showed up in the mail:

I was not disappointed! First and foremost, they fit on my already swollen legs without constricting them to the point of being uncomfortable. I wore these socks all day for multiple days without being uncomfortable. The padded footbed provides cushion and shock absorption, a seamless toe for maximum comfort and breathable mesh instep to keep your feet cool and dry. Plus they are constructed out of technical fabrics for superior moisture management and breathability. You can tell Tiux means quality immediately by the plush and comfortable feel of the socks. Plus, I can wear them with leggings and not look ridiculous:

That is not all Tiux offers. Compression is important to athletes to help recover faster and improve muscle repair with increased blood circulation and prevent blood pooling in the feet, among other things. I wore these after a two-mile walk around the Zoo to see Christmas lights and didn’t notice any discomfort, especially in the bottom of my feet, which has become common since my blood clot. And at $35 a pair, I can make Tiux a wardrobe – and fitness – staple. Be sure to read all the benefits of Tiux here.

Would you like to try Tiux Compression for yourself? Well you can! Tiux is gracious enough to have a pair of compression socks for one of my readers – so you can kick of 2015 on the right foot! Enter the Tiux Compression Giveaway here:

Tiux Performance Compression Socks Giveaway – Words to Run By

The Giveaway ends on January 07, 2015. Can’t wait? Order here now! Be sure to connect with Tiux on Twitter and Facebook and share this giveaway too.

I am committed to Tiux Compression and doing something that is beneficial to my health is not something I take lightly so give Tiux a try.

Happy New Year and may you have nothing but a healthy 2015!

Tell me about you. Do you wear compression as part of your athletic recovery? Will you give Tiux a try or have you? What are your big plans for the upcoming year?

Until the next mile marker,

Racing to Stop the Clot

August 12, 2013 by Sara- Words to Run By Blog

If you’re a Facebook fan, you may have seen my recent posts about athletes who are racing in upcoming events to help Stop the Clot. The National Blood Clot Alliance (NBCA), aptly named Stop the Clot is a non-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing the prevention, early diagnosis and successful treatment of life-threatening blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and clot-provoked stroke. NBCA works on behalf of people who may be susceptible to blood clots, including, but not limited to, people with clotting disorders, atrial fibrillation, cancer, traumatic injury, and risks related to surgery, lengthy immobility, child birth and birth control and accomplishes its mission through programs that build public awareness as well as educate doctors and patients alike.

Blood clots can affect anyone, of any age, whether they are active and healthy or not. I was running regularly and eating right when a blood clot in my leg that I thought was a pulled muscle traveled through my heart and lodged in my left lung, causing a massive pulmonary embolism that nearly claimed my life. If you don’t know the signs of blood clots – particularly those in your leg or lung, read about them here. It could save your life or the life of someone you know. No one is exempt from the possibility of a blood clot.

Over a year later, I am still on the road to recovery – although I am much better than I was. I have found numerous resources and support groups through Facebook and other activist groups which inspired me to begin my own awareness site and blog called Blood Clot Recovery Network. One of the groups that I was fortunate to find and join is Running After A Pulmonary Embolism – a must-join site for any runner or triathlete who has suffered from the devastation of a blood clot.

I recently found that several members of this group are running, swimming and/or biking their way to raise awareness for Stop the Clot and further promote blood clot awareness.

Even if you can’t donate to the cause, please take a few minutes to read each of these athlete’s stories. Every one echoes my own in some way and remind me of how easily a blood clot can happen to any of us, without us knowing and completely change our lives. If you can, please share among your pages, profiles, feeds and blogs and of course, if you are able, please consider donating to help these athletes Stop the Clot.

Chris will be racing Ironman Canada (swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles in less than 17 hours) on August 25, 2013.

As some of you know, I suffered multiple bilateral [both lungs] PEs in July 2009, and again in March 2010, resulting in a lifetime of anticoagulants to prevent another occurrence. I was one of the lucky ones, as evidenced by actor Dennis Farina’s death from PEs. I will be wearing a Stop the Clot jersey and racing in honor of those that have suffered from clots, those that have passed away, and those that will suffer in the future. Most importantly, by finishing this 140.6 mile race, I hope to set an example that being on anticoagulants does not mean you cannot continue to do the things that most inspire and challenge you.

Please read Chris’ story, share and/or consider making a donation HERE.

Crystal is racing the NYC Marathon on November 03, 2013.

Late last July my husband and I had just got back from a vacation in Utah when I noticed extreme tiredness, lack of energy and rapid heart rate. After brushing it off for a few days as jetlag, I finally went to seek medical help and was diagnosed with bilateral PE with infract. My lungs were completely riddled with blood clots. All of this seemed like a bad dream. I had just turned 30 a few months before and didn’t seem possible that someone that ate relatively healthy and exercised a great deal could be faced with this problem. My lifestyle went from running marathons and double workout days to barely being able to walk up the stairs. Read more about my story on my blog.

Please read Crystal’s story, share and/or consider making a donation HERE.

Roland “The Clot Buster” is racing the NYC Marathon on November 03, 2013.

The Clot Buster’s polka-dots will be running across the streets of NYC and I hope you get come along with me on this journey that I am about to undertake. I am taking with me the many stories of blood clot survivors who will drive me each and every stride of this race. Please read more about these inspiring blood clot survivors on my blog.

Please read Roland’s story, share and/or consider making a donation HERE.

Eric is racing the NYC Marathon on November 03, 2013.

For those who have asked why I run as much as I do or have even called me crazy: In 2011, I had DVTs in my leg and Pulmonary emboli (PE) in my lungs. DVT and PE = Blood Clots. I could barely walk around the hospital floor. 100,000 people die in the US each year as a result of DVT/PE. Or, to look at it on a smaller scale 1 in 3. This easily could have been me. he emotional and physical pain and fatigue I have felt running marathons is not in the same realm as what I experienced after blood clots. It has been a long 20 months but I have battled back. I’m a lot slower than I used to be but I can run again!

Please read Eric’s story, share and/or consider making a donation HERE.

So, there you have it! These people have all inspired me in one way or another. From Roland’s feature of my own blood clot story on his blog, to Eric, Crystal and Chris all supporting me as I ran my first steps and my first 5K since I was hospitalized – these individuals already make a difference in the lives of a blood clot survivor like me. Please help them make a difference to thousands more!

Until the next mile marker,