Josh Reineke

Josh's Journal

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) – Fairfield/Westchester Chapter
Guts & Glory Walk/Run Event – Irvington, NY
October 13, 2007

The “Going the Distance with UC” program provided me yet another opportunity to share my story with UC patients and their community of supporters. I recently participated in the Fairfield/Westchester chapter of the CCFA Guts & Glory Walk/Run event in beautiful Irvington, New York.

While walking along side the scenic Hudson River, several newly-diagnosed UC patients approached me to introduce themselves and thank me for sharing my story. I couldn’t help but think back to when I was facing my diagnosis of UC; it was a time of fear, anxiety and questioning. I remember really wanting some first-hand knowledge about what my experience with UC would be like and I found that one of the most meaningful sources of support can be other patients who have learned how to live life beyond their condition.

Through the CCFA I was able to connect with other UC patients and learn about real life experiences with UC so I could better understand my condition. The sharing of patient stories plays an important role in patient education and support and provides a sense of comfort in knowing that as a UC patient you are not alone.

I have Procter & Gamble’s program to thank for allowing me the opportunity to return the favor and inspire other UC patients (just as some have inspired me) to “Go the Distance” and meet the challenges of UC.

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) – New England Chapter
Guts & Glory Walk/Run Event – Springfield, MA
October 7, 2007

I’ve learned many things as a UC patient; one important lesson I’ve been taught is that you cannot go about life as if you live on an island. Support from your family, friends and community is imperative when trying to live life beyond your condition. After spending my race season on behalf of the “Going the Distance with UC” program being applauded by supporters and well wishers, I decided it was my turn to venture out and show my support for others who are also raising money and awareness for UC.

I recently participated with my family in the New England chapter of the CCFA Guts & Glory Walk/Run event in Springfield, Massachusetts. I was given the opportunity to not only show my support for the other participants who raised money for UC research, but to address the crowd and share my story of how I’ve dealt with the challenges of UC, encouraging others touched by the condition to “Go the Distance” and live life beyond the disease.

During the walk through beautiful Forest Park, my family and I met a variety of participants with and without UC, each with their own personal reasons for joining the fight against this debilitating form of IBD. Co-workers were walking to support a colleague, parents were walking to support their sons or daughters, healthcare workers were walking to support their patients. Looking around the park, it was evident that UC patients, including myself, would not have to live life with UC on their own island. We had a community of supporters behind us. We were not one strong, but many. And it was this sense of strength in numbers that illustrated my ongoing belief that life can go on and dreams can still come true for anyone diagnosed with UC as long as they follow their physician’s advice and seek out the help they need from their own personal “community” of supporters.

USAT Duathlon National Championship – Mason, OH
July 29, 2007

I was particularly excited to participate in the USAT Duathlon National Championship race because I did not perform as well as I would have liked during last month's USAT Triathlon National Championship. I wanted to prove to myself and my family that I could set a goal and meet it. Goal setting is an important part of being a triathlete; it helps you stay disciplined and motivated. But an athlete cannot set goals without having the support to help achieve what they set. The same goes for ulcerative colitis patients. You can make it a goal to adhere to your medication regimen as prescribed by your doctor, eat a healthy diet and stay away from stress, but without support, these types of goals can be hard to achieve. That is why patient to patient support is so vital when living life with UC, a disease that thousands of people suffer from but few are willing to talk about. I am fortunate to be able to share my story of how I am successfully "Going the Distance with UC" both on and off the race course through the "Going the Distance with UC" program. I hope my real life experience with UC will help other patients understand their condition and gain a sense of comfort in knowing that as a UC patient, they are not alone.

And with P&G's support, I know I am definitely not alone in my fight to keep my UC under control so I can continue my active lifestyle. Before the duathlon, P&G employees and the Asacol team participated in a "Jog with Josh" session, helping me to warm up for my race. And it certainly helped! I finished 15th in the race for my age group, in under 2 1/2 hours and exceeded my goal!

Lowell Mill City Triathlon – Lowell, MA
July 15, 2007

The July 15th Lowell Mill City Triathlon was a tough one and the first time I had swam in a river like the Merrimac, so needless to say, I didn't really know what to expect! I was pleasantly surprised when I finished with a time of 2 hours and 34 minutes and came in third in my age group! Although the course was ideal (mostly flat, good for biking and running), the weather certainly wasn't. The heat and humidity were almost unbearable, but I didn't let it stop me from putting in my best. And because I felt healthy and strong, I knew I could "Go the Distance" during the race.

It has been over a year since I've had a major flare-up and I've felt relatively in control of my ulcerative colitis. Since my UC diagnosis in 2005, I've learned that discipline is the key to controlling my symptoms so my UC doesn't control me. This includes adhering to a medication regimen as prescribed by my doctor. As spokesperson for the "Going the Distance with UC" program, I've been given a great opportunity to spread awareness of UC and inspire UC patients to seek the medical help they may need in order to "Go the Distance" to meet the challenges of their condition.

SoBe Mossman Triathlon – Norwalk, CT
July 8, 2007

On July 8th I participated in the SoBe Mossman Triathlon in Norwalk, CT. The race consisted of a 0.5 mile swim, 12.5 mile bike and a 3.2 mile run. It was an early morning race; a 6:30 a.m. start time. I mentally prepared myself and performed my usual pre-race ritual of assembling my bike and setting up my transition space. Physically, I couldn't have felt better. The race was set up along the Long Island Sound and provided a great scenic background to allow me to reflect. I remembered back to when I thought that UC was the end of my normal life as I knew it. But as I was waiting for the race to start, I realized how truly thankful I was to have been able to overcome many of the challenges that I have encountered throughout my journey with UC. I'm also really happy to be working with P&G to help inspire other UC patients just like me, find ways to manage their condition. I hope others will be motivated to seek out support from their family and doctors, eat a healthy diet, reduce their stress and take their prescription medications as prescribed to help control their symptoms so they too can pursue their goals and dreams.

And my goal that day was certainly achieved. I placed 5th in my age group and finished in 1 hour and 10 minutes. My personal best on that race course!

Going the Distance with UC Program Information

This year, Procter & Gamble is sponsoring Josh's 2007 race season and together they have launched the "Going the Distance with UC" program. In support of Josh's races, Asacol is donating $15,000 to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) to support the organization's research and services for patients with UC. The donation will also commemorate the medication's 15-year anniversary of helping patients with UC.

"I rely on my medications not only because I am a person living with UC, but also because I am a husband and father, graduate student and triathlete living with the condition," says Josh. "I want to be in control of my UC so I can maintain my training schedule. I am so thrilled to be able to continue my active lifestyle and that P&G's sponsorship is helping to make my dreams come true."

Josh's Race Schedule:

30 June, USAT Triathlon Nationals (OR) – An Olympic distance triathlon

8 July, SoBe Mossman Triathlon (CT) – A sprint triathlon

15 July, Lowell Mill City Triathlon (MA) – An international and sprint triathlon

29 July, USAT Duathlon Nationals (OH) – An intermediate duathlon

2 September, ITU Triathlon World Championship (Germany) – An Olympic distance triathlon with a week-long festival