"Obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated"

Saw this quote a few days ago, and I LOVE it...and it's so true! Whether you are dedicated to exercise, health, preventative treatments, research, music, theater, dance, etc...people who don't understand will scoff at you and label you obsessed. Let them label me all they want, because I love my dedication ("obsession") to fitness/working out and thoroughly enjoy it

Along the same lines...I registered for an IRONMAN triathlon a couple weeks ago. AH! For those of you who know what that is, I'll wait while you try and stop laughing at my stupidity for those who don't know...it's the big daddy of triathlons...the ultimate... 2.4 mile lake swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile (that's right, a full marathon) run. PHEW. My ultimate goal is to just finish!! Ideally, I'd like to do so between 13-14 hours. I've been doing a lot of research on nutrtion, etc b/c I think that will be my biggest challenge, esp w/ CF.

It's been a dream I've never thought I'd actually achieve, but they finally approved Ironman Texas...the first Ironman in the state (there are only 23 worldwide)...and this one is literally 15 minutes from my house, so I could not pass up the amazing opportunity. Not gonna lie though, I'm scared!!

The Ironman is not until May 2011, so I've got some time. However, I'm currently training for a half-ironman in October, so I will only have 1 week off after that before I need to start training for the full ironman...AH! 7 month training is a long time, and I'm hoping/praying there are no major health issues along the way. I'm still trying to think of how to honor lost CFers during my race (thinking of getting names embroidered on my hat or tri suit), and which CF organization I want to raise $$ for while doing this...but I'm excited/scared...which is a great feeling.

Relationships and work have been less than ideal at the moment, so this is keeping me sane

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Debra 25 w/ cf (G542X & R117H)
marathon finisher x2

Yes, I think you're crazy, but wow, so inspired by you. Not to go run or anything crazy like that but inspired just the same. lol

Stacey

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Wife to David, Mom to Jordan 19 w/cf, Bronson 22 carrier & Mason 14 no cf

Kuddos to you. I will also be training for the next year as i plan to do the Bike Ride Across Nebraska next year with my sister whom just had a transplant. Best of luck to you and keep us posted on your progress. To those "obsessed" with crazy ideas.

Sounds like you are an "expert" which is how Malcolm Gladwell would describe you in his book: "it takes 10,000 hours to be a world-class expert in virtually anything." ("The Outliers: the Story of Success"; 2008).

Good luck with all the workouts....my hubby Peter Doctor of Physical Therapy is working on IPAD workouts...he'll let us know how...soon.
Jeanne

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Administrator/Moderator

Omg I think you are amazing! Honestly my jaw dropped when I read that. You go for it and enjoy every mile!

That quote is real food for thought. I just left college early to cycle home and beat the rain I thought was coming. Now I'm at home feeling guilty cos someone else is finishing some lab work for me. But when I weighed it up in my head it seemed the right thing to do to avoid a drenching...yeah maybe I am obsessed but this obsession is giving me good health and by the grace of God I will remain obsessed as long as I can! Hoping to graduate from 10k runs to 10 mile and then a half marathon this year! Would love if one day I could put 2x marathon finisher on my signature

Best wishes in training and the tri...and I think the very fact you're doing it is enough to honour all cfers!

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25 yr old girl, grad student, w/cf, spinal fusion to correct scoliosis

Although i too think you're amazing being able to do all this with CF lungs, i've never understood why people push themselves this hard. It's actually not good for your body, the key, as with most things in life, is moderation. Moderate exercise is way better for the body than the extremes of marathon running, which will give you the joints, muscles and face of an old person way before your time. Seriously, how can anybody think that doing something that dehydrates you to the point where all your muscles are cramping up, can possibly be good for you? The body wasn't designed to be pushed to the sorts of extremes that people like to push them to these days. Walking is infinitely better for you than even normal running, let alone marathon type running.

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KrazyKat (39, PA, Burkholderia Multivorans)

Wow! That's fantastic. What an awesome goal. Just make sure you take care of yourself, and yes, pay a special attention to nutrition! I'm impressed!

Sorry the work situation is less than ideal...still. FIngers crossed that something will turn around soon!

Enjoy your training!

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Tami

mom to Isabelle 7 yo no cf (She is smart, funny, loves dance and piano lessons)

and Emily 4 yo w/ cf (F508, R533x) (She is smart, funny, SASSY, stubborn and active. Loves to bother her sister and argues daily over...pretty much everything).

Courage is not the absence of fear. Rather, it is the judgement of knowing when something is more important than fear. The courageous may not live forever, but the cautious never truly live.

You can do it Deb You are such a dedicated person, you'll find a way. You have inspired me to keep up my own workouts.

All the strength in the world to you

Graves

Thanks for all of your kind words of encouragement

KrazyKat - I know a lot of people don't understand it, and that's ok. I would be bored to tears if walking was my exercise - I really crave a challenge, and plus I feel 110% better health/lung wise when I am pushing myself hard. I don't know how long my health will hold up, so I want to do what I can with it while I have it. Also, I've never had a problem w/ cramping, etc during my marathons...the key is to calculate your nutritional needs and replace everything you're losing. My CF doc said exercise is the best for my lungs, and is behind me 100%; nothing clears me out like running & swimming

I will keep you guys posted!

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Debra 25 w/ cf (G542X & R117H)
marathon finisher x2

Gosh i'm so sorry for that outburst Deb, blimmin Megace has got me so irritable, i'm in a permanent state of reallly bad PMS every day at the moment! You obviously know what you're doing and good for you, lets face it, i'm probably a bit jealous too, i can't even run for two minutes without feeling like i'm going to die! Ech, ingore me, i'll go wander off somewhere and bag my grumpy head!

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KrazyKat (39, PA, Burkholderia Multivorans)

Fantastic goals! I am very proud of you! You will do it!!

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contact Rise': transplantbuddies@gmail.com

Transplant Buddies.com
Cystic Fibrosis- dx at 2yrs. -2nd double lung tx-05 Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida

Dear Deb, I am so happy for you. I am so happy that you are strong enough to do the things you want. I totally agree , that you do what makes you happy, and keep you strong. Your a smart person and I have a lot of respect for you, and Your smart enough to keep yourself safe.
I will be cheering you on.

That was a sweet apology from krazycat.

Love to all of you,,Karla

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Karla,Nana to,'THE LOVE OF MY LIFE', Makailyn,now 8,diagnoised @2.5yrs w/CF,Gene Mutations DF508 & T1036I(rare)Pseudo&Staph since diagnoised,Pancreatic Insufficient,Asthma,Sinus,HIB,Rhizopuz,Hx RSV@age3.5yrs, Enterobactor Clocae,Alcaligenes, Achromabacter Xylosoxican,and now serious Pancreatitis problems,ect,ect,Well we all know!!!

You are awesome Way to go!! Seriously, you inspire me.

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I'm Ayn, a 22 year old female with CF.
current lung function in between 50% -60%
Double mutation of Delta508

Hey Debra,

Fantastic is all I have to say !!! What a great goal for you to have...

I pray that you will be able to get through the training & be able to do your best for the Ironman triathlon ...

God Bless you on your journey. Keep us posted along the way. How exciting !!

joni

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Joni 58 y/o f w c/f Married 20 years, Mother of 4 sons, Mima to Richard (4y/o) & Samuel (born 3/22/10)