Hey there! I'm Jenny, and if you're reading this, you may already know me as "Just a Modern Day Martha". And while that is a huge aspect of my life, and so much of who I am... I am a girl with another quest- my quest is for the glory of 13.1.
Before we get to that though, there are some things you should know, dear readers. First off, you might be wondering, "What the hell is a CFer?" Great question- A CFer is someone with Cystic Fibrosis. I won't go into too much detail, because it can be rather lengthy and complicated, and we while we have time for that, it's not really important that you know ALL the nitty gritty. So, here's the basics. It's a genetic disorder that you're born with, and most people that have CF are diagnosed at a very young age... key word, MOST... we'll get to that in a minute though. With Cystic Fibrosis, or CF as we all affectionately call it, you have an excess build up of thick mucus that coats the lungs- it makes breathing difficult, makes me more susceptible to infections and illnesses, and basically means that whatever gets in my lungs has a rather difficult time making it back out without a great deal of effort, and coughing. My lung function is slightly more limited than that of your average person. I cough, at least a bit, every day. The other parts of CF that play a role in my day to day life are that I do not have enzymes in my pancreas that function to give me nutrients from food- that being said, I have to eat a ton and take tons of medicine every time I do. It sounds like way more of a pain than it really is- you get use to it. Being a CF also means that I don't retain salt- our bodies work differently, and all the salt escapes with our sweat- I'm delicious in the summer time! Kidding, kind of. Anyway, that means that I have to keep myself hydrated, and electrolytes in check. It also means that distance running is frowned upon for CFer's by many... Thankfully, I don't listen to that nonsense.
Let's go back to that MOST. Most people with CF are diagnosed at birth, at a few months old, or at a few years old. It's usually pretty stinking obvious. Apparently, I like to be special though, because I was not fully diagnosed until the ripe old age of 16. Yeh- talk about a frisbee to the forehead on that one! Although it was somewhat life changing at the time, and a little frightening to know that I missed 16 years of crucial care and proper treatment from a team of specialists, I can honestly look back now and be 100% grateful for those skipped 16 years. Why? Because they showed me what I am capable of... and when you know what you are capable of, you go past the limits and expectations that others have set for someone with your "limits". You see, by the time I was diagnosed, I was already extremely active- Gymnastics, dance, theater, music, and running were already part of my life. You want to tell me that I can't do it? Watch me prove you wrong. I had already done more than what doctors said was normal, and my lungs... my lungs that went 16 years without treatment or therapy, were that much healthier because of it.
Still, some challenged what I could do and it lit a fire within me. I'll never forget that first moment when I felt it- It was right after my diagnosis. My high school PE teacher got a little overly cautious with me, and wouldn't let me participate as much in class because he was worried about me. Keep in mind, this is the same teacher that told me I should go out for track the year before. After 3 classes, I got a little miffed, so when we went to the weight room for P.E., I hopped on the treadmill, cranked the speed up to 8 and the incline up to 7, and started truckin' it. After a mile at that pace, he stopped begging me to slow down. After mile 3, he started clapping. Crazy? Perhaps. Determined to do what I've been told is impossible for "someone like me"? You bet your ass I'm going to crush that barrier.
Fast Forward 11 years, and here I am. 5th grade teacher, fitness consultant for Beachbody, Inc., Girls On the Run coach, and now on a quest for 13.1.
13.1 miles, that is... a half marathon. In May. I somehow got the notion that it would be a great idea to join my sister in law for her first marathon back in the saddle after having a baby. I figured, if she can do 26.2 only 7 months after having a baby, that I could surely do 13.1... right?
So, it starts here- December 6, 2012. I completed my registration, and there's no turning back. I'm at 5 miles with 8.1 to go. I hear it's that last .1 that really kills you.
Gotta run!
Jenny
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