Ironman Athletes Battle Through Crohn’s and Colitis
Thousands of endurance competitors have converged on the Scenic City for Sunday’s Chattanooga Ironman Challenge.
It’s a race that tests the limits of even the most accomplished athlete, but for several racers preparing for the challenge, they face an extra obstacle, overcoming the effects of Colitis and Crohn’s disease.
The Chattanooga Ironman Challenge will prove to be even more of a challenge for some members of Team Challenge, as the battle the course and the effects of Colitis and Crohn’s disease.
"We are talking about living with a debilitating disease, it effects just their everyday life," said Team Challenge coach Jimmy Edwards.
"Living with Crohn’s Disease is a lot like an endurance event. You never know what is going to happen. You are constantly facing challenging conditions. You are tired a lot," added Vanessa Kabash. Kabash suffers from Crohn’s disease and will run her first full Ironman race this weekend.
It’s often a case of fighting dehydration and keeping essential nutrients in the body
"They are almost like a sports car on the course during the day. If they don’t get fuel, steady amounts of fuel coming in, then that could impact their performance overall. So it definitely comes down to everyday diet," said Edwards.
For many suffering from the disease, it’s not just dealing with the painful symptoms, but also the stigma and embarrassment that comes with a severe digestive ailment.
"It’s often not talked about as much as other diseases because it is often embarrassing disease," added Edwards
The athletes hope to be an inspiration to others in their situation.
"I hope that other people with IBD that see us racing can know that anything is possible, that you really can do things that you think you can’t do," said Kabash
"Doesn’t mean you have to do an Ironman. But get up off the couch and see how you can make a difference to help fund a cure for these diseases," added Team Challenge coach Ginny Pietila.
It’s a race that tests the limits of even the most accomplished athlete, but for several racers preparing for the challenge, they face an extra obstacle, overcoming the effects of Colitis and Crohn’s disease.
The Chattanooga Ironman Challenge will prove to be even more of a challenge for some members of Team Challenge, as the battle the course and the effects of Colitis and Crohn’s disease.
"We are talking about living with a debilitating disease, it effects just their everyday life," said Team Challenge coach Jimmy Edwards.
"Living with Crohn’s Disease is a lot like an endurance event. You never know what is going to happen. You are constantly facing challenging conditions. You are tired a lot," added Vanessa Kabash. Kabash suffers from Crohn’s disease and will run her first full Ironman race this weekend.
It’s often a case of fighting dehydration and keeping essential nutrients in the body
"They are almost like a sports car on the course during the day. If they don’t get fuel, steady amounts of fuel coming in, then that could impact their performance overall. So it definitely comes down to everyday diet," said Edwards.
For many suffering from the disease, it’s not just dealing with the painful symptoms, but also the stigma and embarrassment that comes with a severe digestive ailment.
"It’s often not talked about as much as other diseases because it is often embarrassing disease," added Edwards
The athletes hope to be an inspiration to others in their situation.
"I hope that other people with IBD that see us racing can know that anything is possible, that you really can do things that you think you can’t do," said Kabash
"Doesn’t mean you have to do an Ironman. But get up off the couch and see how you can make a difference to help fund a cure for these diseases," added Team Challenge coach Ginny Pietila.
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