California
Diagnosed in 2009

After a "routine" blood analysis in 2009, I discovered I was HIV positive. When I started having some urological problems (later shown to have nothing to do with HIV), my doctor recommended I take the HIV test. I would love to share you the roller coaster ride of emotions that followed, but the purpose my story is something else.



From the age of 14, I have been competing in both track and road racing—running every event from the mile to the half marathon. From an early age, I was ranked among some of the better runner/racers in my state of California. Now, at the age of 47, I am still proud to be running and keeping myself pretty high in the rankings—often winning my age division or even entire races. 



But this story is not about my running and racing, but rather my ability to "compete" against the HIV virus. 

By 2010, I decided I would rather start antiviral therapy and not wait for my CD4 levels to drop significantly. After a short adjustment to the meds I was pretty much back up and running within a few months. I discovered that I was STILL going to be able to compete at a similar level as before but I would have to make some adaptations to my running. The meds gave me anemia but I was still able to run a 10k at similar times as before. 



I am still competing and at the age of 47, there are only a handful of other master runners that can keep up with me. I continue with my antivirals carefully choosing one night a month to not take my meds so that I can wake up early and have all the energy and awareness to dedicate for the race.

I am also taking vitamin B12 and folic acid as well as a multivitamin and fish oil. I am careful not to over do it with the vitamins as they can cause stress on the liver. I am also drinking wheat grass juice—which I grow in my house—and taking one to two teaspoons of turmeric powder daily.



My blood work still shows that I have anemia but my suspicion is that the meds increase the size of my blood cells thereby giving me a false anemia. I believe this is the case because I would never be able to hold a fast pace in my races if I were truly anemic.



Other than my low blood cell count, all my other blood analysis is good. My CD4s are up around 600 and my liver work is good. My triglycerides are low and my cholesterol is perfect.



Just last year I won the local cross-country championships (12k) and last week I ran a comfortable 10k on the road in 35:50. All at the age of 47.



I’m not bragging. I just wanted to show that life doesn’t just go on having HIV, but you can also still kick butt!  

What three adjectives best describe you?
A runner, optimistic and positive!

What is your greatest achievement?
Being a father and raising three beautiful and intelligent girls. And running a 100-kilometer race in three days over the Argentine Andes mountains.

What is your greatest regret?
Having fun without protection

What keeps you up at night?
My third antiviral. Otherwise I would sleep like a baby.

If you could change one thing about living with HIV, what would it be?
I wish there was only one pill to cure HIV instead of being chained to three pills each day just to keep it sidelined.

What is the best advice you ever received?
After telling me that I am HIV positive, my doctor told me that in a few months I would feel normal and live just as happy as before.

What person in the HIV/AIDS community do you most admire?
I have personally met only one other HIV person and he has become my HIV mentor and has helped me face my situation.

What drives you to do what you do?
Somewhere deep inside me there is a driving force that helps me in everything, from boring daily chores to emotional stress. What it is, and what is it called, I do not know. But it’s there!

What is your motto?
Even if you think you can’t do it, just pretend that you can…and pretty soon you will!

If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
My running shoes! I’m always thinking that in any emergency I would be safe as long as I have my shoes. (I can run to safety just about anywhere.)

If you could be any animal, what would you be? And why?
A bird. I have had dreams of flying and it seems like the coolest thing.