Whitney Plunkett wanted to run with Team Kidney because of her family's history of kidney disease.
Polycystic kidney disease runs in my family. My mom just got a kidney and liver transplant in July 2023. I have polycystic kidney disease. Two of my aunts have gone through dialysis. One got her transplant, and the other is still going through dialysis. I love to run and hope to raise awareness of kidney disease.
I have polycystic kidney disease. My mom had a transplant in July 2023, and I saw an aunt get a transplant, too. There is no cure for this kidney disease YET. I hope one day we will find a cure!
My mom is my motivation! Watching her struggle with kidney disease but not let it stop her was incredibly inspiring. The cysts grew and grew, eventually traveling to her liver, too. But she did not stop. She kept living her life and doing the best she could to stay healthy. It was my inspiration to keep running and staying healthy myself!
Kidney health is so important to me! I know my kidneys are covered in cysts. So I try to be smart in staying hydrated, limiting sodium intake, and watching what I eat/staying healthy. Taking care of my body and health in general is so important to me. But, knowing that I am already at a disadvantage with kidney disease helps me stay active.
I started running in 2019! I love it. I have run a few half marathons and ran my first marathon in October 2022. Race day prep starts the night before! I eat a dinner full of carbs (pasta or pizza!!) Then, I lay out my clothes and race day gels and snap a pic, of course! ;) I wake up with plenty of time in the morning to get ready, go over my checklist to make sure I've grabbed everything, and grab a bagel! I also drink a ton of water the week leading up to the race and the morning of the race. You must keep those kidneys hydrated! ;) Before the race, I go through my routine of dynamic stretches, eat a quick gel, and start with a nice, easy pace at the beginning of the race!
I love race days!
