Meet MS Warrior Ryan Piner
Hypoesthesia is the medical term for partial or total loss of sensation. To put it another way, numbness. While this is a very common and disturbing symptom of Multiple Sclerosis, it could have bene>ts in an odd way. In Ryan Piner’s case, having numb feet was an advantage while running the Twin Cities Marathon in October 2013. Although Ryan was extremely worried about the crawling numbness that overtook his hands and feet a month prior, he did not feel the pain of his feet pounding the pavement for 26.2 long miles. Consequently, he ran quite a fast marathon! This may seem like strange observation, but the ability to accept things and look ahead is one of Ryan’s trademarks.
Shortly after the marathon, Ryan underwent testing with his doctor. He was eventually referred to a neurologist and diagnosed with MS on Thanksgiving Day of 2013. Along with the numbness, Ryan felt incredible fatigue that was different than simply being tired from exercise. His neurologist ordered bed rest from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. It was a frustrating time for a person who has been a runner for most of his life. Prior to diagnosis, he already had 17 marathons under his belt and had a lofty goal to complete 50 marathons by 50 years old. Ryan wanted to be up and about living his life, but his body was too exhausted.
Ryan had time to reflect on his new life with MS while on bed rest. He came to the realization pretty quickly that he had to push forward and find a new norm. With willingness and fortitude, Ryan returned to work fulltime in Spring 2014 and quickly started up his running program again. He signed up for many marathons because he wanted to accomplish much as soon as possible in case MS takes running away from him.
Ryan ventured far and wide to huge events like the New York City and Paris Marathons, as well as one in Kenya with less than 40 participants! Ryan started taking better care of his body by paying attention to nutrition and getting plenty of rest. He even revised his training schedule to allow proper recovery time. He amassed 15 marathons in 5 years from 2013-2018. But as the years wore on, fatigue became a bigger issue and his brain could not fire the electrical impulses fast enough to make his legs run efficiently and expediently. Ryan worried about making the course time limits. cut off times. His neurologist who initially praised Ryan’s marathons, told him it was time to give up running long distance.
2018 was a diffcult year for marathons for Ryan. On his schedule was to tackle the Twin Cities Marathon. It was a disaster. This time hypoesthesia did not help his feet as he struggled from the start line in Minneapolis to the finish line in St Paul. His legs were slow and would not go. He finished in the last group of 100 runners. He was totally dejected. He decided he could no longer run marathons with MS.
Nevertheless, once a runner, always a runner. Ryan got the itch to get back on his feet and googled running and MS. He came upon “Run A Myelin My Shoes” and decided to join the team for the November 2019 Richmond Marathon. Five weeks prior to Richmond, however, he ran the Chicago Marathon. Again. Another disastrous race where he finished near last. Ryan again questioned his ability to run with MS.
It was a last-minute decision to go to Richmond and run with his new teammates. At the team carbo-loading dinner, he met many runners with MS who had similar stories regarding neurologists who discouraged hard-effort exercise. Also, the self-doubt that creeps into your head when a race goes wrong, and the need to dig deep to keep fighting.
Ryan was motivated race morning from all the stories he heard the night before and all the new friends he made, but he was also extra nervous. History almost repeated itself mid-run. His legs became incredibly stiff just like at Twin Cities and Chicago, but there was a newfound resolve about him. He focused on the power of RAMMS and pushed through the marathon. He busted through the finish line with tears of joy. He finished a full hour faster than Chicago just five weeks prior. Ryan had his confidence back!
The 50 marathons by 50-years-old goal now seems achievable again. Ryan has 17 more marathons to complete in the next five years. Despite the coronavirus pandemic cancelling events, he will stay on track by running virtual marathons this year. Ryan says his body is
slower, but he accepted that fact and is looking ahead. His mantra
is “Forward is a pace. Make 26.2