Looking for some inspiration. It seems many of us are exercising a lot. Surely the disease has an effect on our athletic performance but I'm curious what's possible. Who are the fittest PWP that you know of? I've heard of Jimmy Choi and find him very inspirational. Are there others?
By fittest I mean anything from: Strength, speed, athletic prowess, or general success in sports/athletics.
It seems to me that the person who was awarded that title would have to meet two criteria .
Have PD
Be physically fit
The problem might be that the more they have PD the less physically fit they become.
Difficult decision
Choose the one who is 55 and running marathons but has just recently been diagnosed or the one who is 80 has had PD for 25 years and still plays lawn bowling .
Good point. I suppose the longer one has had PD the more impressive their feats are. Even if the activities are fairly pedestrian, it's encouraging to hear about people staying relatively active even having had PD for decades.
Hi Limpmaster. I have been doing Fast Walking for an hour, every second day since 1994, with breaks for injuries and other health issues. I am now 85 and can still walk almost 7 kilometres in an hour. I was diagnosed with Pd in 1992. If that is not fit enough for you then what is? I was able to overcome my Pd symptoms in 2002 and have been medication-free since then.
Hi JohnPepper, I had a feeling you would chime in. Your story is very inspirational.
Thanks Limpmaster.
Well, I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro at age 65 3 years after diagnosis. I was more fit then than I am now at age 74
Nan
NanCyclist, that is quite amazing to me that you were able to do that! How are you doing now?
I cycle 3-4 days/week, swim from 30/45 minutes 2/week, walk 1-2 miles most days and do physical therapy 2/day 35-45 min every day. Since Kili I have had surgery on my toe and knee and dislocated the other knee. It’s difficult to come back from each setback, but if I don’t keep exercising, I won’t be able to do the things that make life worthwhile.
Wow you are quite active! That's very encouraging to me. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
I was diagnosed in 2014 (60 years old) (had a suspicion in 2012) and have remained working full time and exercising regularly. I ride my road bike 100-120 miles per week. I do one-two century (100 mile) rides per year. I lift weights two-three days per week. I regularly downhill ski and whitewater kayak occasionally. I hike regularly. My neurologists think my UPDRS has remained static in large part because of my exercise regime. I feel lucky.
Rip1 thanks for responding. That's great to hear. To me, stories like yours give me hope for the future!
This is inspirational, you were right. I am 72 , I have had PD for 17 years . I cut the grass (back and front ) and walked over to the beer store, twice last week using my wheeled walker . I am damn proud of it . Not in a wheel chair yet .
Have fun, God bless you all.
After 17 years of PD and still cutting the grass is great! Keep it up!
Kia is the one
Hi there . I am a 56 year old ultra runner . Was diagnosed at 49. So have had PD for over 6 years. I did a Spartan with my son this past June and ran the SF marathon in July raising money for PD. Yes your athletic level does change with the PD . What once used to come so easily does not anymore. I am supposed to be running a marathon in December but have been side lined with a hamstring tear. Which had been very depressing . Since the PD I’ve experienced more injuries then I ever had . Muscles fibers seem to be weaker. That being said , I haven’t been running bc of the tear but I can’t not do nothing bc PD will take over, so I’ve been walking . The important things is to keep your body moving no matter what it is . It doesn’t have to be marathons, Spartans or ninja worriers , just move your body. Take care. Karen
Kwinholt great to hear and thanks for the advise.
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