First, it's great to see so many with CF exercising and being athletes! No matter what level of activity!
I was diagnosed when I was 8, and at the time of my diagnosis, I was pretty much told I was already past average mortality age. Okay, so that statement pretty well dates me as not exactly young anymore. At that time, the regimen (if you want to say there was any regimen) didn't include exercise--at all. Kinda like the old approach to asthma.
Fortunately for me, I guess when you're 8 and told life is short--really short--you have a tendency to want to do everything--fast! Being stubborn helps.
To make a long story short: I played soccer for over 25 years; ran a marathon; repeatedly went white water rafting; climbed Fourteeners in Colorado; been a lifelong distance runner (until 4 years ago); and have made exercise a huge part of my life, mo matter what else is going on. This part of my life will never change, although the activities themselves might, and indeed, have. I guess seeing so many others active makes me feel like I wasn't such a freak--okay at least not for working out! There were times when talking with younger CF kids and teens about doing the most you can do (rationally), I was actually berated by parents for "deluding" their son/daughter into thinking they could participate in sports.
Unfortunately, my pfts degraded rather severely over the last 4 years (Around 47 FEV1 now, from 74). Sort of feel some days that I live in an oxygen free environment, especially living in Littleton! Now I shoot for hiking/snow shoeing etc. about 30 miles a week with my Siberian Husky, who has repeatedly made it plain to me that just because I can't run with him (or breathe!) anymore it's not an excuse not to take him on 6-mile high altitude hikes and enjoy every blizzard that hits!
I'd love to find someone who would enjoy these activities too. To give you an idea of ability for me right now, I hike with a 40-pound pack in order to carry 2 D O2 cylinders, so I can hike at altitude (above 9000 feet) for 4-6 hours, depending on conditions. I have to warn you, it's kinda like hiking with Darth Vader with the oxygen conserving regulator (I'd love to figure out how to use the Force (Dark or Light) to help), but you do get to enjoy my Husky, whose name is Bacchus. He's a riot, a great hiking companion, loves people but has a condition I call SIHA (Sudden Insane Happiness Attacks). By the way, shorter hikes, lower altitude are fine too. Just looking for good company.
I haven't had any luck finding a hiking partner, with or without CF since I got back to Colorado. If you know of someone who would like to enjoy the Colorado outdoors, or have any suggestions on where I might find willing participants/victims, any advice would be appreciated. I'm male and 54, fairly new to the site and haven't posted a decent profile yet, but plan to soon, with pics of me and Bacchus (he's the good looking guy).
Also, for anyone who's planning on visiting Colorado, I'm always happy to give suggestions and advice on activities, skiing, etc. having grown up here. Just drop me a line.
At any rate--never stop thinking about what you want to do--or how far you can go. Trust me, it's a lot farther than you can imagine!
Kris (Warped sense of humor, with too many Degrees, but use them all! No B. Cep, but Pseudomonas and touch of insanity, which I think I got from my dog.)
I was diagnosed when I was 8, and at the time of my diagnosis, I was pretty much told I was already past average mortality age. Okay, so that statement pretty well dates me as not exactly young anymore. At that time, the regimen (if you want to say there was any regimen) didn't include exercise--at all. Kinda like the old approach to asthma.
Fortunately for me, I guess when you're 8 and told life is short--really short--you have a tendency to want to do everything--fast! Being stubborn helps.
To make a long story short: I played soccer for over 25 years; ran a marathon; repeatedly went white water rafting; climbed Fourteeners in Colorado; been a lifelong distance runner (until 4 years ago); and have made exercise a huge part of my life, mo matter what else is going on. This part of my life will never change, although the activities themselves might, and indeed, have. I guess seeing so many others active makes me feel like I wasn't such a freak--okay at least not for working out! There were times when talking with younger CF kids and teens about doing the most you can do (rationally), I was actually berated by parents for "deluding" their son/daughter into thinking they could participate in sports.
Unfortunately, my pfts degraded rather severely over the last 4 years (Around 47 FEV1 now, from 74). Sort of feel some days that I live in an oxygen free environment, especially living in Littleton! Now I shoot for hiking/snow shoeing etc. about 30 miles a week with my Siberian Husky, who has repeatedly made it plain to me that just because I can't run with him (or breathe!) anymore it's not an excuse not to take him on 6-mile high altitude hikes and enjoy every blizzard that hits!
I'd love to find someone who would enjoy these activities too. To give you an idea of ability for me right now, I hike with a 40-pound pack in order to carry 2 D O2 cylinders, so I can hike at altitude (above 9000 feet) for 4-6 hours, depending on conditions. I have to warn you, it's kinda like hiking with Darth Vader with the oxygen conserving regulator (I'd love to figure out how to use the Force (Dark or Light) to help), but you do get to enjoy my Husky, whose name is Bacchus. He's a riot, a great hiking companion, loves people but has a condition I call SIHA (Sudden Insane Happiness Attacks). By the way, shorter hikes, lower altitude are fine too. Just looking for good company.
I haven't had any luck finding a hiking partner, with or without CF since I got back to Colorado. If you know of someone who would like to enjoy the Colorado outdoors, or have any suggestions on where I might find willing participants/victims, any advice would be appreciated. I'm male and 54, fairly new to the site and haven't posted a decent profile yet, but plan to soon, with pics of me and Bacchus (he's the good looking guy).
Also, for anyone who's planning on visiting Colorado, I'm always happy to give suggestions and advice on activities, skiing, etc. having grown up here. Just drop me a line.
At any rate--never stop thinking about what you want to do--or how far you can go. Trust me, it's a lot farther than you can imagine!
Kris (Warped sense of humor, with too many Degrees, but use them all! No B. Cep, but Pseudomonas and touch of insanity, which I think I got from my dog.)