Robin Baurer grapples daily with the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis: pain, imbalance, numbness, and trouble seeing. But she won’t let the disease stop her. She trained with runcoach and completed the 10-Mile Broad Street Run, and after revamping her diet, lost 85 pounds.
“Maintaining a focus on running has brought positive energy to my psychological, emotional, and physical well-being,” says Baurer, who also has Type 2 Diabetes. “I am determined, dedicated and disciplined to beat this mess of a disease.”
Robin Baurer
Major milestone: The 2017 Broad Street Run. I ran the entire race and I was not winded!
How did you get started? In the spring of 2015 my doctor broke the dreadful news that I was Type 2 diabetic and my [blood sugar] levels were horrendous. I took this awful news very seriously and evaluated my eating habits. I designed a nutrition plan and watched my weight decline. After about four weeks, my energy level increased and my MS symptoms lessened. I incorporated power walking and light jogging. By fall, my jogging became a run. The Broad Street Run seemed organized, safe, and challenging. The training was awesome! I felt prepared going to the starting line, and evidently I was. I am so PROUD to have participated and completed this incredible race! Next: I am participating in a duathlon in Bucks County.
How does running impact your MS? On a daily basis, I experience pain, numbness, imbalance and difficulties with my sight, and these are constant reminders that I have this dreadful disease. Maintaining a focus on running has brought positive energy to my psychological, emotional, and physical well-being . Now, my MS symptoms and flare-ups are less frequent. I have lost 85 pounds since May 2015 and feel amazing.
What motivates you to keep going? For many, many years I had difficulty walking so I feel blessed to be able to stand up everyday and teach as well as walk, jog, or run. I not only wanted to show myself but also show others who experience physical difficulties to "push" forward and give it your best.
Regardless of my speed or lack thereof, I am a winner every time I cross the finish line!
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