We love learning about how our members heard about the run club and what keeps them coming back …
When we heard Bill Quemado’s story, our hearts was paralyzed for a second. You’ll never guess the big challenges he faces when you see his sweet smile and serene way in sharing his journey. Meet this extraordinary man and feel his positivity! Click below to read his story…
In July 2010, I got diagnosed with relapse remitting Multiple Sclerosis and my neurologist said exercise will help me mentally and physically. Running helps me feel good.
Why did you start to run?
In July 2010, I got diagnosed with relapse remitting Multiple Sclerosis and my neurologist said exercise will help me mentally and physically. Running helps me feel good. Running helps me with my memory and depression I get from from MS.. So I began to run in-place at home back in August 2013. Did 25 mins and slowly increased up to 50 mins a day, M-F. I weighed 248 when I started and I lost a total of 68 pounds, I lost about 40 pounds in the first 4 months, I currently weight 180.
So fast forward to Feb 2018, someone at Freedom Church asked me to join him and sign up for the 2018 Honolulu Marathon. I didn’t know anything about running events, I was clueless. He is almost 55 years old and he did it several times before so I thought to myself, if he can do it, I could do it. It was the last day of early registration so i just signed up. The funny thing is, I looked to see how many miles AFTER I already paid! Too late now to get a refund lol. TBH if I knew it was 26.2 miles, I don’t think I would have signed up. I’m happy I did! Gods timing is always perfect. It was my first event ever, I had 10 months to train. I got this! I didn’t even own a pair of running shoes. So the first day I went out for a jog, I ran out of breath the first minute. It was my first time jogging out on the road. It was so different than just jogging in-place. So I did a lil researched about running, got some good information online of what to expect. I worked my way up to 7 miles in 5 months. Then I seen on the Honolulu marathon website saying something about the Lanikai run club. I was hesitant at first. One month past when I finally decided to just jog out there to Kapolei Lanikai Juice. Its about 4.1 miles from where I live. I’m glad I did! I would jog there. Do the run club and then jog back home every monday. I have been doing this since July 2018. Then i would do my daily runs T-F. The run club really helped prepare me for my first Marathon. I enjoy it alot! Buffy and Pete are great coaches! I learned alot from the run club. The run club is a great way to get moving and stay active. You also get to meet alot of great people. From walkers to runners alike. Its awesome!!! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽🏃🏼🏃🏼🏃🏼
What is the biggest challenge are you facing at the moment?
With having MS, there’s weakness in my legs at times. Will I be able to lift my foot up off the ground enough?… So now I fear of tripping and falling because when I was doing the marathon, I tripped and fell hard at around the mile 9 marker, after diamond head, right before the KCC turn. I sliced my eye lid open when I banged my left eye lid on the concrete ground. It kept bleeding throughout the marathon. I had to stop at every first aid tent to put vaseline. They kept asking me if I wanted to stop to go to the hospital ER to get it stitched because it was really bad. I kept telling them – No, I’m finishing this! I got it glued shut after I finished at the ER.
What a first time experience! Not only did I get a medal but a scar to remember it lol. I finished at 06:04:08.
I signed up for my 2nd event, the Hapalua coming up on April 14. I also signed up again for the 2019 Honolulu Marathon. I will try to beat my time from last year.
They kept asking me if I wanted to stop to go to the hospital ER to get it stitched because it was really bad. I kept telling them – No, I’m finishing this! I got it glued shut after I finished at the ER.
How do you keep yourself positive and healthy?
I think back to the first year when I was diagnosed with MS in 2010. I woke up one morning and I could hardly walk. This lasted for about 6 weeks. Then I couldn’t use my right hand for a month. Then couldn’t use my left hand for a couple weeks. It was really hard. Went to physical therapy, kept pushing forward and slowly I was getting better each day. To think back, This really motivates me each and everyday now when I’m exercising and when I’m out jogging! I’ve changed what I eat. I stop drinking soda and drink lots of water because of running. Running now has become more of a lifestyle for me!
Going to church keeps me positive. My oldest brother is the lead pastor at Freedom church out in Ewa Beach. I thank God everyday for my health. I haven’t had any relapses since 2011. I inject myself once a week to help slow down the progression of MS. No new lesions as of my last several MRI’s… I thank Jesus that im able to run!
I’ve changed what I eat. I stop drinking soda and drink lots of water because of running. Running now has become more of a lifestyle for me!
Quote you live by…
Here is one that i got from my first marathon experience:
Pain is temporary,
Quitting is forever!
PS.: Few weeks ago Billy finish Hapalua, his first Half Marathon, with a big smile!
Billy, thank you so much for sharing and for reminding all of us that the small steps are the biggest and most valuable ones
