Thursday, July 29, 2010

Cough Cough??

Didn’t make my run yesterday, super busy day visiting family. I'm feeling really tired this morning so I think I'm going to have to really push through todays run.

In non running news....Last night I met with the other board members of my multiples group. I’m going to be the president next year and we got together to set the agenda for the upcoming year. This past year I feel like nothing was done for the moms or for the kids. There was one dinner, the two parties and tag sales and that was it. I said I wanted to change that, we should have more events for everyone, so we’re having a pottery night for the moms, two craft days, an Easter egg hunt, a trip to an orchard, and a visit to MyGym for the kids. We are also going to have a photographer come to teach us the basics of photography and a CPR class. I think it’s going to be a good year.

I’m sitting here doing my vest and nebs (shake shake shake), and I’m noticing that I’m starting to cough a lot more than I have been the past few days. August is an “on” TOBI month for me. Maybe I’ll just start tomorrow and hopefully this cough will go away. One good thing about TOBI months for me is I usually do my vest 2X a day. I admit in the “off” months maybe I’ll do a night therapy three days a week. I know it’s not good practice and I should start a better habit of doing it at night everyday. But especially now, when everyone is in bed, kids and hubby, I do a little straightening up and then just want to relax and unwind for an hour with whatever I’ve DVR’d. I know I can use this time to do another therapy but honestly I don’t want to. This is the only time during the day that’s “mine”. And I don’t want to give it up to CF. That being said. I'm going to finish up here put the boys in for a nap and head to the gym.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

A swim and a run

Monday:
Cross Train – swim – 27 laps (3/4 mile)
Time – 35min

Tuesday:
Miles – 3
Time – 35:10
Avg Pace – 11.70

I’ve really been trying to write every night, but you know that goes – life gets in the way. I’m really happy with my swim on Monday. If I haven’t mentioned it before I love swimming. It’s not strenuous and I find it very relaxing. The one hard thing about it is I often loose my lap count. I get caught up with concentrating on my breathing; my mind starts to wonder and whoops, what lap was that?

This has to be a short one. Just wanted to get my times down before I forgot.

Monday, July 26, 2010

'Race to Cure CF'

Miles - 4
Time 40.12
Avg pace - 10 min/mile (best time)

What better reason to run? And it's no surprise that I crossed the finish line with my best personal time. The motivation, the support and the crowd were outstanding. Dr. G took off like lightning as soon as the horn blew coming in a good 5 min earlier than me. My husband, kids and Dr. G were waiting for me at the finish line cheering me on. I can't put into words the feeling that comes over you when you cross that finish line. Such a sense of personal accomplishment.

It down poured 2 hrs prior to the race, dropping the temperature a good 10 degrees but the humidity was awful. Even with two puffs of Albuterol I was feeling tight. But after the race and a bottle of water I was breathing fine again. I finished without being short of breath and without tight muscles. My little guys jumped into my arms and we enjoyed the BBQ and music. Dr. G introduced me to a few mom's of her patients who said it was great to meet someone accomplishing so much despite CF. That it gave them hope for their own children. Hearing that made me happier than finishing the race. I would love to inspire and motivate other CFers to get out and exercise.

"Every day is a prescious gift, that it why it is called the present"

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Power in numbers

Miles - 2 (track)
Not timed

What an exhilarating way to start a Saturday morning. A 7am run with a great group of women, most who have given birth within the last two years. Two of the women have actually run the NYC Marathon in the past and were telling me about it. The more I hear about the race the more pumped I'm getting about it. I'm probably the newest to running in the group, all the others have competed in marathons or 1/2 marathons and run cross country before. So I have a good group of resources to go to for information. We did a nice paced 2 mile run around the track. Even at 7am though the sun was blazing and it was so humid. I can't wait until the fall. Next week we are going to run the North County trailway, it's shaded and has mile markers so I'll be able to track my time and hopefully not burn in the sun.

Tomorrow is 'Race for the Cure'. I don't want to make the same mistake I did with my first 5K. The excitement of the crowd, my adrenalin was racing and I definately crossed the starting line and a much faster pace then I'm used to which made me burn out at the 1/2 was point and I had to walk for a bit. The downfall to tomorrows race is going to be and heat and humidity. But I have a good friend racing with me, but her pace is much faster than mine so I'm going have to talk her into taking it back a few.

That being said, I'm going to enjot some ice cream and get some rest for tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Hurricane bath time

Miles - 3 (treadmill)
Time - 35.02
Avg Pace - 11.6 min/mile

Good run today, I was feeling extra inspired. I shared my blog on facebook and met a few great and inspiring people. I even spoke with a CFer who finished his first marathon last month. It's so great to hear other people have overcome some of the same obstacles I face and crossed that finish line! I came across some other CF blogs that I started to read and love them all. I'm loving this new connection to the CF community that this has opened me to.

Tonight was bath night. Giving my children a bath is one of the more stressful times of my day. Let me explain... my kids LOVE the water. I might as well wear a bathing suit into the bathroom because I leave wetter than they get. My bathroom looks like a hurricane passed through when they leave. They stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down, kick as hard as they can to splash the water everywhere. Put their faces under the water and laugh when they come back up with bubbles all over their face. They are constantly unplugging the drain, and filling their toys with water and dumping them over the side of the tub. Because of this I'm seizing the opportunity while it's lasts to just throw them in the shower with either DH or myself. They get maybe one bath a week, and it's the highlight of their day!

I'm pumped for 'Race for the Cure' on Sunday. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with Dr. G, I'll ask her to go easy on me. Hubby and the boys are coming to cheer us on (and enjoy the BBQ). Rainy Sunday evening, I'll definitely have to bring my albuterol with me for that one.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Slow & Steady wins the race

Miles - 4
Time - 46m 0s
Avg Page - 11.5 min/mile

Much better run than yesterday, much more energy. I think I just have to keep my pace slow. I started at 5.2 increased to 5.4 for a while and then back down to 5.2. So although slow and steady won't win the race in my case, it will get me to the finish line, and that's all I'm going for.

So I've joined with 3 other women who want to start running. Our first group run is going to be this Saturday. I'm going just to meet them and do a slow 2 mile run since I have the 4m Race for the Cure on Sunday. I love that I have people to run with now, but the only problem is that I'm at a much more demanding scheudle than they are. Most of the women are casually running 3 miles at the most. Next Saturday I have to run 7! I can start out running with them but would have to finish on my own and depending on where we're running I don't know if I'd be comfortable running alone. This Saturday we are going to the track at the middle school. I'm just going to take it one week at a time and see how it goes.

The weather in NY is horrible these past few days, horribly humid and scattered storms all day. I took L & J to 'My Gym' to burn off some excess energy this afternoon. They had such a blast, running all over the place at lightning speed! J is born climber. He was up and down the slide, climbing on the 'big kid' apparatus, jumping on the trampoline, giving me a run for my money. I'm going to sign them up for classes there in the Fall & Winter. The place is sooo much fun and it would be great to have them get out of the house in the colder months to someplace I can bring them by myself.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

1/2 way point

Week 15

Miles - 3 (treadmill)
Time - 36m 30s
Avg Pace - 12.1 min/mile

Day one of week 15. The half way point of my 30 week training plan. I was a little slower today than usual. For whatever reason I just wasn't feeling it today. I started out at a pace of 5.4 but had to slow down after a mile and then had to walk for a bit. Maybe I have to continue to start at 5.2 and increase my pace if I'm feeling it.

I looked over the trainig schedule from here to the marathon and it really picks up pace. The first 15 weeks built up to running 7 miles very slowlely, but from here on my weekend runs espcially really take off.

Got an e-mail today from one of the women in the HVHC group. She wants to start running and is looking for people to run with. About 5 people responded to her including myself. I have the most demanding schedule out of everyone, but I may try to meet with her on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings. The only problem is she wants to run at 8:30 on Wednesday nights. Right now it's still so humid then, I don't know if it would be the best thing for me. But I'm willing to give it a shot. I would love to run with other people.

Not much else is new here. My BIL & SIL are up for the week. Tomorrow if the weather cooporates we're going to try to visit the lake for a bit after my run.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Seven

Miles - 7 (treadmill unfortunately)
Time - 1hr 25min 25sec
Pace - 12.1 min/mile


Wow I did it! Seven miles. Six miles running at a pace of 5.3 and one mile of walking. I was able to make it just over five miles before I needed to walk. Overall I'm pretty proud of myself. After my run I wasn't out of breath, wasn't coughing, wasn't wheezing. I felt incredible. Honestly if you had asked me back in April when I started this crazy journey I didn't think I could finish. I couldn't even run 1.5 miles without a walking break. Now I honestly think I will reach the finish line. No matter how many breaks I need I WILL finish.

This afternoon my in laws were up and we had a fantastic time playing in the pool. The water is warm enough that the boys enjoy it now. L had a blast playing Marco Polo and chasing his Uncle C and cousin D. They are getting more comfortable in the water each day. L especially has improved at going underwater. This fall and winter I'm definitely going to bring them to the gym pool at least once a week so they continue to learn how to swim.

My fundraising for the Marathon is at $225 so far. I'm still waiting on people I expect to donate. I'm going to send out letters this week to some family that aren't on the internet. I also have an idea for a fundraiser but I would really have to get me ass in gear if I'm serious about it.

Tomorrow is our Sunday family breakfast so I'm off to get a few hours sleep.

Friday, July 16, 2010

I run a lonley road

Rest Day - Pool Day!

So tomorrow is my 7 mile run. It's been unbearably humid here in NY so I'm 99% sure I'll be on the treadmill tomorrow morning. I can't wait for the humidity to break. Right now I just really wish I had someone to do my weekend long runs with. I don't mind running solo on my weekday runs, they are usually during the day at the gym anyway when Grandma is able to watch the boys. But on the weekends I get pretty bored & lonely running solo. None of my friends are runners and I haven't found any running clubs up here that fit into my schedule. I even scoped out the roster for Team Boomer and no one is close to me. Coach GP mentioned having team runs a little closer to the race date but I would have to be able to make it into the city. A running partner provides motivation and support to keep going when you want to "just stop for a little bit". Being new to the sport and not yet having a true passion for it I think I really need someone to help emotionally.

I met up with a few of my mom friends at the beach this morning before it opened. It's such a beautiful way to start the day off that we all decided to meet there every Friday morning. The only problem with the beach is that to get there you have to walk down the steepest hill imaginable. Not only do I have to walk down it, but I have to get a wagon with 50lbs of children and all of our beach supplies down this hill. And while using all my strength to hold the wagon back, my children find it amusing to toss things from it. But when we finally got to the sand the boys were in their glory. J ran straight into the water, practically up to his neck, that I had to drop everything to run after him. I swear that child has no fear.

I'm off to go eat some carbs, get some sleep and see how I make out tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Three miles, no problem

Miles - 3 (treadmill)
Time - 35m 23s
Avg Pace - 11.6 min/mile

I'm getting used to the three mile runs. I don't feel out of breath and achy during or afterwards anymore. I think next week I'm going to attempt to increase my running pace to 5.4 for my short runs. I still have doubts about 26.2 every time I think about exactly how far that distance is but I'm pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind and just keep pushing myself. I haven't not met my daily goal yet, even if I have to walk for a few miles I've promised myself to meet my daily goals. I have so much to inspire me to keep going. Pushing through a 1/2hr run by far beats 2 weeks of having a PICC in my arm. Dr. B gave me an albuterol inhaler to use before I run especially since it's been so humid in the northeast this past month. I've had to run at the gym on the treadmill for most of my training so far because of the humidity here. I'm really hoping that at least for my long weekend runs I can take them outdoors soon even if it's at 7am.

I finally set up my First Giving donation site. (Check out my widget to the right.) I still have to send out some letters via snail mail to some family members. Put that on my weekend "to do list", as if it's not long enough.

This evening was the first meeting for the runners on Team Boomer. I dialed in since I couldn't make it to the city to be there in person. It was very encouraging hearing everyone's personal stories about why they are running and why they choose Team Boomer. There was one other person who actually had CF and this is going to be his second marathon. He gave me hope that this is an obtainable goal, I don't know if I'll be doing another marathon but who knows, let's see how this one goes first!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Time for a change

The story on how I got myself into this...

The year following the twins birth was a rough one, for a multitude of reasons

1. There was two of them and one of me
2. I was breastfeeding & chose to be off TOBI
3. I had a C Section & was on IV immediately after delivery for 3 weeks
4. We had to limit visitors early on because of their prematurity
5. I wound up with kidney stones
6. Got the flu in July '09 for the first time ever - 2 weeks of home IV
7. Boys both got RSV in Dec '09 and I wound up sick - 2 weeks of home IV

I could go on but you get the point. I wasn't sleeping well for a long time. Fitting in two treatments a day was impossible. July '09 my lung function was the wost I've ever seen it, but I wasn't feeling well and thought I would get back to my baseline once the first year was over. I just didn't have time to think about anything other than the babies at that point in time. I was getting by doing the bear minimum vest & nebulizer treatments. I had very little energy to do anything and looking back I was probably somewhat depressed feeling "trapped" inside my home that first year. It was extremely difficult to go anywhere alone with two babies. It was near impossible to go even food shopping with two infants in carseats. I was very lucky to have my mom with me to help while DH was at work. But I'm getting side tracked here

After my 2 weeks of IV's in December '09 something clicked inside me and I knew I needed to get my butt in gear somehow. My lungs weren't magically going to get better on their own without some hard work on my part. Every now & then I would log on the CF Forums and there would be post after post about how another CFer had lost their battle. For the first time I was actuallly scared for my future. I was angry at myself for not trying harder, for underestimating what CF can do in such a short amount of time. I want to live, for myself, for my husband, for my children. And not just live, I want to have energy, run with them, dance with them, play with them. I woke up one day and joined a fitness center and began swimming again. For the first time in probably close to 7 years I was exercising again. Slow at first, I would swim freestyle one lap then have to breast stroke one lap. I think I might have done 8 laps that first swim. By April I was swimming 12-15 laps only slowing with a breast stroke every 3rd lap.

In April my friend Joe asked me to run a 5K with him in June. I thought no problem, I could build up to that by June. The following week I was on the CF Forums and saw a post from Jerry Cahill about spots on Team Boomer for the NYC Marathon. I didn't respond that day, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. And I don't remember when but I called my good friend Dr. G (my CF peds) and she told me to go for it. She is an avid runner herself. I called Jerry and signed up for Team Boomer. Looked on line and found a good training program I thought I would be able to follow and here I am now, almost 1/2 way there. I cross train by swimming and can now swim close to 3/4 mile freestyle! I'll get further into details about how I physically felt the first 1/2 of training in a later post. I must call it a night.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Let's get this started...

My first post... where to begin. Well I'm 29 years old and was diagnosid with Cystic Fibrosis when I was 9 months old. I'll try to sum everything up quickly.

For my fellow CFers who may be interested my mutations are DF508 & C3272-26A>G. I am pancriatic sufficient, however didn't know this until I hit middle school. I had been on enzymes up until that point. To this day (knock on wood) I have never been hospitalized for CF. It wasn't until I hit college that I went on home IV antibiotics for the first time. I have been on them 8 times in the past 10 years. I've had one sinus surgery and it has helped tremendously. .

I married the most wonderful, supportive man in 2004 and we have 19 month old twin boys (L & J) who are my world. There will be plenty of posts about them I'm sure, as they are the center of my world & take up 99% of my time right now!

I'm currently training for the 2010 NYC Marathon. How that happened in a later post. For now that is what this blog will most likely be about - getting these CF lungs to that finish line and the journey it takes to get to the starting line.

I invite you to follow along with me..