I hope you are able to run Boston during your jubilee year! If not, then you no doubt will find other ways to celebrate.
Are you getting treatment for osteoporosis? The advancements in medications are amazing. I have a strong interest in this topic as my grandmother had severe osteoporosis. Both my aunts did too. My mother might have but never had a DEXA scan and died at age 75 due to heart problems likely brought on by a lifetime battle with obesity.
I broke my wrist in a standing height fall at age 60 - stupid accident involving a new rear seat bag on my bike. I had a previous diagnosis of osteopenia. When I asked my surgeon if it was heredity/osteopenia or physics he said "yes" and offered me a referral to the fracture clinic as women with wrist fractures like mine as very likely to have hip fractures in the 70s and 80s. Oh, hell no, I don't want that outcome. I had 12 months of Evenity injections to rebuild bone. That got my bone mass back up and thus far I'm stable with much more weight bearing (walking/hiking) exercise and regular strength training. I go for another DEXA in September.
As for my big goal for this summer, it is summiting, at least 1, if not 2, 14,000 ft mountains out in Colorado. Training is going well as I did a 17+ mile hike last week when I would out in Ohio for a conference. I did 65+ miles of trails over 6 days. So the legs and feet are ready. What I can't train for is the lack of oxygen.
Thanks! You should have a Substack. I'm reading your PDF over breakfast tomorrow. I started it, but I want to take my time with it. I'm following you now so I'll reach out there once I'm done.
Hi Regina - thanks for sharing your experience and your passion for osteoporosis and bone health. I've received regular DEXA scans and they aren't recommending any intervention at this time beyond strength training and calcium supplementation. At my last scan the tech asked me if I was on hormone supplementation. I told him that I am taking a low dose of estrogen and progesterone and he said that my bone density has actually improved in the last 2 years since my last scan, which typically won't happen without HRT.
I will continue to get scans as recommended and am all for anything I can do to make sure that these bones stay as strong and healthy as possible. I don't plan to stop being active any time soon!
I do hope you'll let me know when you summit those 14ers! I know you've been preparing your mind and body for the endeavor!
Jane - I am also on an estrogen patch and low dose progesterone. That was the silver lining in breaking my wrist as I finally got connected with health care professionals that weren’t being dismissive of my concerns. They are partners in my healthy aging and active lifestyle!
Yes, I absolutely will let you and everyone else know when I get up Quandary! We also plan to do Mt Elbert.
Good luck! Being from the area, I get why the Boston Marathon is THE marathon to run. It's you against all the other runners on a grueling route that tests all of your limits and possibilities. What other marathon throws in a hill at the end of a race to see how far you can push yourself (for those who don't know, it's called Heartbreak Hill)?
I grew up in the town next to the town it starts in, Hopkinton. The marathon is always on a Massachusetts holiday called "Patriot's Day" (not to be confused with the one of the same name to honor 9/11) so I always had the day off from school. This was spring cleaning closet day in my house because due to road closures and traffic, my mother didn't want to leave the house. So, I never saw the race until I became an adult and lived in an apartment right on the race route.
To stand along the road cheering and watching so many runners race by still gives me chills to this day decades later. The accomplishment is amazing even to watch. Unfortunately, there are sad times tied now to the Boston Marathon #BostonStrong, but the race and the continuing of the tradition shows how determined we all are in our own way. Best of luck! You've got what it takes!
Oh wow - thank you so much for sharing your personal experience of the Boston Marathon Shelby! I often think about what it must be like for people whose lives are impacted by such an event.
I love what you said also about us all being determined in our own way. We can all triumph through pain and adversity - which the Marathon has done - along with probably every single runner there who has their own story of resilience and overcoming challenges to be there.
It gives me chills to think about being there, with all of the crowds lining the streets, and understanding the history and the journey of so many to get there.
I hope you are able to run Boston during your jubilee year! If not, then you no doubt will find other ways to celebrate.
Are you getting treatment for osteoporosis? The advancements in medications are amazing. I have a strong interest in this topic as my grandmother had severe osteoporosis. Both my aunts did too. My mother might have but never had a DEXA scan and died at age 75 due to heart problems likely brought on by a lifetime battle with obesity.
I broke my wrist in a standing height fall at age 60 - stupid accident involving a new rear seat bag on my bike. I had a previous diagnosis of osteopenia. When I asked my surgeon if it was heredity/osteopenia or physics he said "yes" and offered me a referral to the fracture clinic as women with wrist fractures like mine as very likely to have hip fractures in the 70s and 80s. Oh, hell no, I don't want that outcome. I had 12 months of Evenity injections to rebuild bone. That got my bone mass back up and thus far I'm stable with much more weight bearing (walking/hiking) exercise and regular strength training. I go for another DEXA in September.
As for my big goal for this summer, it is summiting, at least 1, if not 2, 14,000 ft mountains out in Colorado. Training is going well as I did a 17+ mile hike last week when I would out in Ohio for a conference. I did 65+ miles of trails over 6 days. So the legs and feet are ready. What I can't train for is the lack of oxygen.
I'd love to hear all about this. I'll see if you have a Substack. I'm not a climber, but I'm fascinated with anyone who can do this. Best of luck!
I don’t have a Substack but this essay I wrote last year when I completed my section hike of the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin will give you an idea of my identity as a hiker. https://www.iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/Regina-Schurman.pdf
Thanks! You should have a Substack. I'm reading your PDF over breakfast tomorrow. I started it, but I want to take my time with it. I'm following you now so I'll reach out there once I'm done.
Hi Regina - thanks for sharing your experience and your passion for osteoporosis and bone health. I've received regular DEXA scans and they aren't recommending any intervention at this time beyond strength training and calcium supplementation. At my last scan the tech asked me if I was on hormone supplementation. I told him that I am taking a low dose of estrogen and progesterone and he said that my bone density has actually improved in the last 2 years since my last scan, which typically won't happen without HRT.
I will continue to get scans as recommended and am all for anything I can do to make sure that these bones stay as strong and healthy as possible. I don't plan to stop being active any time soon!
I do hope you'll let me know when you summit those 14ers! I know you've been preparing your mind and body for the endeavor!
Jane - I am also on an estrogen patch and low dose progesterone. That was the silver lining in breaking my wrist as I finally got connected with health care professionals that weren’t being dismissive of my concerns. They are partners in my healthy aging and active lifestyle!
Yes, I absolutely will let you and everyone else know when I get up Quandary! We also plan to do Mt Elbert.
Good luck! Being from the area, I get why the Boston Marathon is THE marathon to run. It's you against all the other runners on a grueling route that tests all of your limits and possibilities. What other marathon throws in a hill at the end of a race to see how far you can push yourself (for those who don't know, it's called Heartbreak Hill)?
I grew up in the town next to the town it starts in, Hopkinton. The marathon is always on a Massachusetts holiday called "Patriot's Day" (not to be confused with the one of the same name to honor 9/11) so I always had the day off from school. This was spring cleaning closet day in my house because due to road closures and traffic, my mother didn't want to leave the house. So, I never saw the race until I became an adult and lived in an apartment right on the race route.
To stand along the road cheering and watching so many runners race by still gives me chills to this day decades later. The accomplishment is amazing even to watch. Unfortunately, there are sad times tied now to the Boston Marathon #BostonStrong, but the race and the continuing of the tradition shows how determined we all are in our own way. Best of luck! You've got what it takes!
Oh wow - thank you so much for sharing your personal experience of the Boston Marathon Shelby! I often think about what it must be like for people whose lives are impacted by such an event.
I love what you said also about us all being determined in our own way. We can all triumph through pain and adversity - which the Marathon has done - along with probably every single runner there who has their own story of resilience and overcoming challenges to be there.
It gives me chills to think about being there, with all of the crowds lining the streets, and understanding the history and the journey of so many to get there.