Page 33 - Scene Magazine March 2022 47-03

“Getting through the journey of life is easier when I run.”
— Serene Griffin
GriffinSerene running with her son Matthew.
the West Virginia Marathon. I finished this one in 3:45, the same time as my first marathon in Honolulu.”
Serene was able to knock off the last forty-seven states in nine years. Not bad for a geek turned jock. Serene’s fifty mar- athon extravaganza was filled with many other experiences. She and John had divorced before she began her fifty state quest and she had remarried. Her current husband Don was there to experience
as many of the marathons as possible.
“I have won a total of six marathons. I have paced five of the marathons, which turned into a source of enjoyment, help- ing others reach their goals. My marathon PR was in Columbus, Ohio in 2010 with a time of 3:09:08.”
There was so much more that Serene was blessed with on this pilgrimage. “Running fifty states was a journey, liter- ally and figuratively. Each marathon was something to look forward to. I enjoyed the journey but once I finished I wished I had savored the journey more. Running in different geographical regions was amaz- ing with plains in one race to mountains in another. Planning out the trips and making vacations out of some of them was the best. Meeting new people and making new friends was a huge part of the journey.”
After completing her fifty state goal
it now seemed it was time for Serene
to catch her breath and just enjoy the simplicity of her sport. “After reaching fifty states I thought about cutting back on running and focusing on half-marathons in Michigan.”
Serene’s running plans would soon be altered. “Beginning in 2016 my body wasn’t feeling right. I was fatigued all the time. I went to my doctor and had some blood work done. The blood work came back suggesting a possibility of an autoimmune disease. It started as a connective tissue disease and eventually became lupus.”
Serene’s fatigue and joint pain was a major source of frustration and fear but she continued to lean on running. “By 2018 I could hardly run eight miles. My rheumatologist prescribed medications
but my joints would still hurt and I was always exhausted.”
Finally, Serene seemed to round the corner with her treatment for lupus. “We finally found the right combination with meds. The medication started to work and I was once again able to put in the mileage I was more accustomed to.”
Although lupus has thrown Serene
a curveball, she has found a place for running to continue in her life. “Occasion- ally I’ll have a flare up caused by stress, which will cause joint aches and fatigue. My doctor will take care of this with steroids. My doctor encourages exercise because it lubricates the joints and helps oxygen flow through my body. There is
a balance with listening to my body and knowing when to back off. Running helps reduce emotional stress which helps
with lupus.” Some might use lupus as an excuse to slow down and reduce exercise level but staying active has helped Serene keep this disease under control. Her mindset is a great example for many.
Serene’s lupus was under control, she was running regularly and it seemed that all in life was perfect again but she and Don would experience another setback. “Don started exhibiting signs of early
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Serene with her husband Don.
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