Triathlon Work Out....Done!

Yes, I completed my triathlon work out this past week.  I really enjoyed this work out.  First, it was a great way to change up my usual routine.  It was also nice to have a very specific focus each day, it really helped me to give it my best and accomplish my goals.  The most challenging part of the work out was 60 minutes on the bike.  I was not really prepared for sitting on a bike seat for 60 minutes.  Not exactly comfortable.  Swimming was also a challenge. I don't lap swim often, so it really got my heart racing fast in a short amount of time.  I did need to stop for a water break about every ten laps. I tried to keep my breaks to about 15 seconds.  Also, I didn't do any walking on the treadmill, which really helped from keeping things from getting too boring.  Here is the breakdown:

Day 1: Friday May 20- 4.0 mile walk around spring lake.  Total time: 66 minutes.

Day 2: Monday May 23-17.3 mile bike ride (in the gym).  Total time: 60 minutes.

Day 3: Tuesday May 24-1600 yard swim.  That is 64 laps.  Total time: 38 minutes.

Day 4: Thursday May 26-2.2 mile walk (34 minutes) and 7.6 mile bike ride (24 minutes).  Total time: 58 minutes.

The whole challenge took me 218 minutes...my goal way 210!  So close! But at least now I have a baseline. For me, exercise is never about being fast.  I am really focused on just being active.  I would and will do this workout again, but not on a regular basis.  I did miss the elliptical during this week.  And I still snuck in my water aerobics class too.   One day I wold like to set a goal to do the whole challenge in one day, but I don't think that is something I am up for right now.  I think the next time, I might try to see what I can finish in three days and build my way up to completing the challenge in one day.  Thanks to everyone for the support with this work out.

How Does My Garden Grow?

Ethan works hard to keep up the garden and landscaping in our yard.  Our yard is fully landscaped and does not get a lot of direct sun, so getting the right plants and veggies to grow can be challenging.  Each year, Ethan adds a little something to change things up and add a little more than we had the previous year.  This year, we are trying to add more color to our landscaping and he built a strawberry garden. He has been keeping a potted garden with veggies and herbs.  Last year he built a raised garden in the front yard, because this area gets great sunshine all day long.

Overview of Backyard

Strawberry Garden-New for 2011

Veggie and Herb Garden

Raised Garden-Front Yard

New Flowers-Perennials like Lavender and Princess Lily

Delphinium

 My Personal Gardener! 

Work Out Wednesday-Triathlon Work Out Challenge

To switch up my work outs, I have decided to challenge myself to a triathlon.  Not in the sense where I complete a triathlon in a single day, but try to complete a triathlon during the course of week through swimming, running walking, and biking as part of my regular work out.  Each day, I will either swim, bike, or walk (remember, I am not a runner!) and log the total distance until I complete a full triathlon. I got this idea from my parents, who did something similar a few years ago. 

There are lots of types of triathlons out there, which combine different criteria for each event.  This includes the Ironman, Sprint, Olympic, Half and Full.  I am going to start with the Olympic.  The breakdown:

Swim: 1600 yards (64 laps in a 25 yard pool)
Bike: 24.9 miles
Walk: 6.2 miles

Goals:

To complete the challenge in one week.
To complete 60 minutes of exercise per day until the challenge is met. I normally exercise for about 45 minutes a day, so I am setting a goal to do an extra 15 minutes each day. 
Log the date, distance, a time each activity takes. 
Write a blog about the experience.

I am guessing it will take me about 3.5 hours to complete this challenge.  I figure I can bike the total distance in about an hour, swim the total distance in about an hour, and walk the total distance in about 1.5 hours.  It will be interesting to see if I can keep the same pace for the whole hour each day, or if I will lose all of my stamina with the extra 15 minutes.  Also, swimming 64 laps will get boring, fast.  I hope I can push through to reach my goal. 

The challenge starts next week. 

Vest Upgrade

My first Vest system came to me in 1996, shortly after I was diagnosed with CF.  I received Hill Rom's Vest Model 103.  My insurance would not pay for it at the time, so Hill Rom actually gave the system to me for free.  Recently, I was discussing treatments with my social worker and she suggested I try to upgrade my system, since I had one of the older models.  I decided to look into it just to see what my options are.  Well, because I have newer insurance, they have technically not purchased a Vest for me, so a new system was authorized with no co-pay.  I decided to take advantage and upgrade.  I now have model 105.  The new system has so many advantages including:

Size- the machine is about 2/3 the size of the old one.

Weight- New machine weighs less than the old one, making it much more portable.

The new machine is digital, opposed to the knobs on the old machine.

The new machine is programmable, making it easier to switch frequency and pressure. 

The new machine has a "pause" function making it way easier to pause treatments to cough. 

No more foot pedal, the new machine just goes on its own.

I am very thankful I was able to upgrade, especially with no co-pay. 

May is CF Awareness Month

May marks CF awareness month.  In an effort to spread CF awareness, I am going to be posting little facts about daily life with CF on my Facebook No Two Snowflakes Are Alike Page.  In addition to facts about CF, I am also going to post information on resources that also promote CF awareness like various people, organizations, and other awesome stuff.  I hope others can join me in participating in spreading CF awareness.  Check out my page, "like" it and share it too! And check back at my page frequently for updates!