Blog changes

Thanks to everyone who followed Training Because I Can! over the last nine years. This blog started with Addison's Disease, hypothyroidism and a crazy idea of doing an Ironman distance triathlon. My life has changed and so has this blog. I am using this blog strictly for Addison's Support topics from here on out. I hope to continue providing people with hints for living life well with adrenal insufficiency.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy 2009!


"No matter how well you know the course, no matter how well you may have done in a given race in the past, you never know for certain what lies ahead on the day you stand at the starting line waiting to test yourself once again. If you did know, it would not be a test; and there would be no reason for being there."
- Dan Baglione


Above is a great quote for the new year whether you do a sport or not.  None of us knows what lies ahead.  I hope everyone has a healthy and happy 2009!


Below is a slide show of Aspen Trail, my favorite trail around here.  I took pictures each time I went there during 2008.  



3 comments:

Pip said...

Hi Dusty
I'm another active Addisonian, based in Wellington, New Zealand. I was diagnosed about four years ago and also have Hypothyroidism and Pernicious Anaemia. My mother has Type 2 diabetes and two autoimmunes, so I 'thank' her for my good genes!

I got into running about a year after diagnosis and have run three half marathons (plus several shorter races). I'm going to run my first marathon in May this year. I'm also a cyclist and finished my first 160km race a month ago. I'm aiming for a half Ironman in a year's time.

It's good to hear from another Addisonian with a positive outlook!

Unknown said...

Pip,

May I link your blog to mine? It's exciting to see another Addisonian with big athletic goals! You can certainly learn to swim! Do you ever come to the States? How do you up your hydrocortisone, florinef for long runs? Do you use electrolyte replacement? Do you feel worse when you DON'T exercise?

:)

Pip said...

Of course you're welcome to link to my blog!

I take 15mg of Hydrocortisone a day in three divided doses (when I wake up, 1pm and 6pm),and .1mg of Fludrocortisone. If I'm going to be running for two hours or more then I would usually take an extra 5mg of Hydrocortisone beforehand, though sometimes I've fogotten to do so and not had any problems. Likewise with the cycling, if I'm going to be riding for around 100km I'll take an extra 5mg, but I don't really suffer if I forget. Having said that, I did once take an extra 5mg after around three hours of a long ride and everyone commented that I 'flew' home, so perhaps I should really be dosing more. Neither of the two Endo's I've seen since my diagnosis have really been able to give me any advise. I am very lucky in that I never really feel like I'm low on cortisol, although I guess it's possible that sometimes I mistake low cortisol for simple tiredness. When I did my 160km cycle race I had about two hours of sleep the night before and was feeling really stressed, so took 15mg in the morning and then another 5mg after four hours, and that may have helped, I'm not sure.

I haven't really worried much about electrolyte drinks when I run, though I will start to use them as I prepare for my first marathon and I've used them when available at drink stations during my half marathons. When I ride I usually take one bottle filled with an electrolyte mix and one water bottle and I'll carry some form of electrolyte gel with me as well. I also carry some extra Hydrocortisone and a Solu Cortef dose and needles, just in case!

I came across another running Addisonian some time ago, although he never responded to my comment or email. You might have better luck!

http://runningbuddha.blogspot.com/

I'm also in touch with a young Australian woman who has type 1 diabetes and is training for her first 160km ride, so there are a few of us around.

Since being diagnosed I've always felt good, whether I've exercised or not. When I don't exercise I feel fat and lazy, but I can't blame that on the Addisons! The exercise does help with keeping my anxiety levels under control though, which I believe may be Thyroid related.

Unfortunately I've never visited the States but there's a chance I might be able to in the next couple of years. Perhaps an Ironman? I've no hope of ever BQing, so I guess the Boston Marathon is out ... Oh well, a girl can dream!