LIFE ON THE RUN : FIGHTING AIDS WITH ATHLETICS.

Byline: RONNI ROSS

When faced with death, it would seem that there are two basic ways to respond: Give in to mortality or fight back using any means available.

Jim Howley chose the latter and acquired a new zest for living along the way.

The 36-year-old Santa Barbara triathlete has AIDS. He is fighting his disease with athletics and helping others with physical and mental challenges to do the same.

Howley, founder of an organization called Athletics Instead of Depression & Sickness, left Los Angeles on April 6 to embark upon a cross-country trek billed as the first solo triathlon across the United States. He plans to swim, bike and run his way from the Santa Monica Pier to the steps of New York City Hall, covering 3,375 miles by the time he finishes on May 27.

``I don't want this to be about a guy with AIDS going across the country,'' Howley said during a phone interview at a stop en route. ``I want this to be about overcoming challenges. That doesn't just mean a disease, that means any type of challenge.''

He hopes to challenge himself and to increase awareness of the treatments available for HIV and AIDS, as well as to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Lung Association, American Foundation for AIDS Research and other charities.

During his grueling journey, Howley is visiting hospitals and schools, offering motivational speeches and seminars to doctors, patients and athletes. His goal is to raise $250,000 and inspire others to live each day to its fullest.

While Howley's upbeat attitude and vitality are quickly apparent even when talking over the telephone, such was not always the case.

In the early 1980s, when he first tested HIV-positive, Howley embarked upon a self-destructive lifestyle, smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, drinking heavily and becoming addicted to cocaine.

In 1989, Howley was diagnosed with full-blown AIDS and given 18 months to live. But rather than give in to his death sentence, he dedicated himself to a last wish: competing in a triathlon.

When he first started training, he couldn't even make it around the block. Less than a year later, however, he finished his first race.

Since then, Howley has completed more than 30 marathons and participated in the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii last October. A week later, he ran the New York City Marathon, finishing it in under five hours. He has also earned a master's degree in clinical psychology and works as a volunteer staff therapist at the Pacific Pride Foundation.

His tribulations have been many. He has had testicular cancer and a debilitating eye disorder often fatal to AIDS patients. But with medical treatment, his T-cell count - the backbone of the immune system - has improved. After a year of drug therapy, the virus is now undetectable in Howley and his doctor credits his triathlon training with preserving muscle mass that wastes away in many AIDS patients.

``My doctor is behind me 100 percent,'' said Howley. ``He knows that I would never push myself to the point of endangering my body.''

He is having his blood drawn every two weeks during his trip, because, he said, ``I want evidence that this is not hurting me to show to doctors.

``Loss of muscle mass was the doctor's main concern, and my heart rate indicates if I start fatiguing too much. I keep it below 150 beats per minute no matter what.''

He also eats a lot so that he won't lose too much weight, he said, and snacks on energy bars throughout the day. ``Any time I see a sign that says, `All you can eat,' I'm there. I'm eating unbelievable amounts of food.''

Howley has traveled about 1,000 miles. He said he feels great and that the people he's encountered have been supportive.

``I was nervous about the swim in the Colorado River,'' he said. ``And when we got into Moab (Utah), people were warning me not to do it because the currents are bad, the water is murky and there are a lot of unforeseen objects under the surface. But one of the middle-school teachers swam with me, and his friend was head of the town's search and rescue, and they all came out with us. I felt much better, it was such a sense of accomplishment.''

In Palm Springs, a woman followed Howley and his two crew members traveling with him in a recreational vehicle into the desert just to wish them well. Strangers have handed them $5 bills.

``It's been so heartwarming,'' Howley said. ``We've got a great bunch of people in this country.''

He is spending most of the time on his bike but gets off to run or swim as the terrain allows. His plan is to bike most of the Western and Central states, and run most of the way from Chicago to New York.

``We'll swim in the Mississippi River, part of Lake Michigan and any other body of water that looks doable,'' he said. ``Swimming is my favorite event.''

He expects to recruit other athletes for a similar event next year.

``It's my dream to do this, and I don't want to be selfish with it, because it is so rewarding,'' Howley said.

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Photo

Photo: (color) Jim Howley left Los Angeles on April 6 to begin a cross-country solo triathlon.

Special to the Daily News