United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hey all,

Just wanted to share that I completed the 197 mile Chicago Ragnar Relay with 11 teammates. For those unfamiliar, these types of races involve 12 people, 2 vans, and not very much sleep over about 30 hours. The race is divided into 36 legs, and at any given time a member of your team is in the course, while the rest drive ahead to the next exchange zone. It's a race, but more of an experience, as teams like to dress up in crazy costumes and decorate their vans, everyone is running straight through the night, and weather conditions can vary widely depend on what time it is. We ran from Madison WI to Chicago in about 28 hours.

MW

Way to go Mike,

I almost signed up for that here in Southern California, but the team didn't work out, I heard the hardest part is the lack of sleep and the fact that you never really get rest after each leg.

How many miles did you do personally?

Hi Dan,

You're absolutely right - you don't get to rest much between legs and you barely sleep. Since my team left at 5a on a Friday, started at 9am and then we finished around 1pm on Saturday, we all slept around 5 hours over 2 nights. I ran 3 legs-- 8 mi, 3mi, 7.8 mi, so around 19 miles total. You're also living on a constant sugar buzz from all the gatorade, energy bars, etc, so when it's over you need to crash. It was a fantastic time though.

As per usual a lot of other teams kept asking what happened to my arm, so my teammates started making up all sorts of crazy stories, from a freak golfing injury to a mixed martial arts fight. It was all very funny because everyone was loopy and I kept passing other teams during my runs.

Wow, I love hearing about (and seeing) these marathons you're all running. I've always wanted to be a runner, but I just don't have the right mindset, lol, though one thing I really miss is the ability to just run as as fast as possible for a minute or two just for the feeling.
This relay sounds like it takes an incredible amount of cooperation and coordination to keep 12 ple and 2 vans moving to the right areas while on very little sleep. Pretty neato.
Its so funny about making up different things that happened to your arm. I'm always tempted to do that as these days I get asked one of 3 things on a daily basis by curious strangers:
"What happened to your leg?"
"What happened to your arm?"
"What surgery did you have? (at this point they show me their surgery scars......I had one guy even take off his shoe to show me his swollen foot...Eeek!)

Do you get tired of being asked ALL the time? Usually I just tell people "it's a long story." and that is enough. I used to tell people some abbreviated details, but I get asked so much that it gets old. I've moved on (mentally) and there's certainly much more to me than than medical details, lol. (besides I'm sure many of you can understand that it can make it hard to enjoy your day when you've had to explain to 5 different people about injuries from the worst accident of life) I suppose I could just dye my hair hot pink or something as a distraction, but these days I don't think anyone would even notice, hahahah

i have never danced a step in my life due to physical issues. but i have found a dance class that is for people with disabilities. it is so much fun watching other people and making a fool of myself. it is at the YMCA. it is a part of the silver sneakers program.

angela, just curious. are you able to drive a car with the injuries you have with both your arm and leg?

Ok, I am back from the Future for SURE I meet my wife at a Disco years ago Dancing Your doing GREAT!!!! i thought I would say this about Dancing> Bee GEES , Staying Alive , I love the time and dancing, Find JOY ware you can and how far you get its up to you and your Limitation, For Sure!!! Even if your Running Distance with a sling!!! You GUYS ARE AWSOME!!!! ( Limitation To Drive)??? Really???
Tom

Hi Angela,

Yeah it's pretty annoying. I run with a few groups, and every time there are new people I have to go explain it all again. I run in very dense urban areas, so there is no shortage of people staring at the sling and slowing down their cars to look. It's tough because I usually just want to get my workout in like everyone else. Ditto for when I'm on a bike.

I try not to complain though; I'm lucky just to be able to be out there, all things considered.

Best,
MW

AW, 20 questions!!!

I live my life requiring being stared at IT HAPPEns Nothing you can do about THAT People asking question, Its because your DIFFER-ANT-Like a MOVIE STAR, People love people overcoming things, ITS A FACT in LIFE!!! NEWS DOES THIS ALL THE TIME!! Even IN the IRon Man race,ETC. When people ask , there Curious, That ALL add sometime about TBPI injuries, its education, RIGHT???

When I was little with Erbs they called me STIUD arm all the time because it was smaller, I Got in far to many fights because of it, High school was fine, People ask me question and latter be came my friend , 4 friends I Have know for all most 50 years and my wife , I meet her dancing at a DIsCO, , Please remember that people ask because they are Curious, In drive semi some driver got hurt very often and over time me to. 50 drives 50 question It like SO WHAT Happen did you get in a Crash? I ask question because I care Somethings you cant think your way out people our CURIOUS,me To I hope this helps?????

Years ago I went To a Chicago UBPI picnic for Babies and Children with these limitation like mine and yours , Funny thing was I did not mine trying to answer 20 question by so many, It made me happy to do so

Being SELF-Conchs - Is it Hindering you from TRYING?? NO I HOPE I love being a dar devil it did make me Crazy and GROW out of being self -Conchs for sure-!! But there is a Big number who by there trys here LIVE THE LIFE with limitation and Have done a AWSOME job!!!!! . You will grow to over time see it as a challenge and not a weakness , Curious it will never go away. But there , It is what it is!!! Please give yourself credit when you try but being out there in public ,IT IS WHAT it IS

MR- POSITIVE- Forever, By experience not Treatment

Tom

jmar - I could probably drive if I wanted to, but I just don't need a car at the moment since I can walk everywhere I need to get to and gas is expensive, lol. (gotta save up that money to pay Mayo, hahahahaha)

Tom - I think you misunderstand me. I'm generally a happy person. I don't feel bad about myself OR self-conscious in ANY WAY. I have NEVER thought of my injuries as a limitation OR a weakness, but merely a part of me that I must learn (and have learned) to adapt to (like say, needing to wear glasses.) I live my life how I want and I'm PROUD of the person I am. It's just fun to vent a little from time to time on things that are kinda annoying to people who understand the same situation.

MW - People slow their cars down? Honestly, people really need sensitivity training...... I totally agree with you though,, can't complain; it's good to be here. Besides, you're accomplishing physical feats that MOST of the human population can't do, whether or not they have two good arms. Keep posting the excellent work. I just love seeing pics of what people are up too.

Hi ANG, you are AWSOME!!!
Because alot of people do read our posts, I never try to personnel my answer. I try to responded to the reader in general. I should say I try???

Best wishes all ways,
Tom