Yanko started taking these meds, known as hydroxychloroquine (an anti-malarial drug) and methotrexate (a chemotherapy drug), a few months ago to control her lupus symptoms. While there is no cure for the condition, there are medications that can help tame symptoms. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system attacks the body’s tissues and organs. Her doctor confirmed her symptoms had progressed and diagnosed her with lupus. That changed when Yanko saw her rheumatologist shortly after the 100-mile race in Illinois. After several tests, doctors told her she had some of the markers of lupus, but not quite enough to reach a lupus diagnosis. Two years prior to that, in the winter 2020, Yanko wound up in the emergency room with severe stomach pain. While she could still run during that time, she could no longer train at the level she wanted, so she had to forgo three ultramarathons she had lined up in celebration of her 40th birthday on June 23. She assumed it was either the flu or COVID, but tested negative for both.

In the summer of 2022, Yanko developed severe exhaustion, joint pain, headaches, dizziness, and breathing difficulties. The Hennepin Hundred in October of 2022 wasn’t the first time Yanko had put a pause on running on account of feeling terrible. Running Ultramarathons Helps Him Process Trauma.

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