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.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Faces of Addison's II




Wanda and her significant other, Martin


I've got MORE Faces of Addison's pictures.  Keep 'em coming!  contact@addisonssupport.com





A northwest Addison's luncheon




Another pic of the northwestern Addison's group




Cath from Canada after her first half Marathon - Spring of 2008







Adventurous Wanda and her significant other


Wanda!




Sue in Florida, newly diagnosed and getting her life back very quickly!




Sue & Jack 




Sue and Captain Morgan

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Great day, epiphany, inspiration



Tuesday was a great day.  Bright sunshine, wonderful run and stunning views.  I also got to run on pavement.  Probably not a big thrill to some but I'm tired of the "dreadmill" as my friend Lora calls it and I'm tired of ice and cleats.  Running on the pavement was an exciting change of pace.  I felt good on this run and was much faster than I though I was.  I've got a new Garmin 305 and it's a fun toy.  Among other things, it tells me what my pace is.  It also beeps at me if I slow down too much.  Here's where the ephipany comes in.  As some of you might know, I was griping that I couldn't find a training partner.  Well, I gave up on trying and actually set some boundaries for situations that made me feel worse rather than happy.  One person told me she "knew I was lonely".  I realized yesterday with the sun on my face and beautiful view in the distance that my interest in finding a training partner wasn't because I was lonely but because I was uninspired!  I love doing things with others, it inspires me to try harder and do more. 

My new watch is giving me a thrill and inspiration that I haven't had in a long time.  I think it's the spark that I needed to keep me from driving myself crazy.  It "yells" at me when I go too slow.  I like that kind of inspiration!  Until I find someone who can show up for adventure and exercise at the same time, I've got new inspiration, views of the Tetons, an iPod, my Garmin and my camera so I can record the fun!



View of the Tetons, blue sky and pavement!




Snowmobile tracks 400 feet below




Elk and deer tracks on the hillside


Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Addison's, exercise and cortisol & Pictures unrelated to the topic


I was skimming through "Practical Programming for Strength Training" by Rippetoe & Kilgore, page 98 and found this interesting (to people with Addison's!) passage:
Cortisol reponse is trainable.  After a bout of maximal exercise a novice may experience a much greater than 100% increase in blood cortisol levels, whereas a maximal exercise in an elite trainee may induce as little as a 20% increase.  
Although I'm not a doctor, I have felt that Addison's people who are new to exercise should increase hydrocortisone before the new activity.  See my post:  Training, Setting Goals, Getting Started under "GOALS-MEDS".  Now there's some confirmation that there might be a scientific basis behind it!




Ranchers, their dogs, sleigh and workhorses checking on the cows.  Only in Idaho.



Trumpeter Swans flying by.  They are HUGE!  Nearly 5 feet high with up to an 8 foot wing span.



Paul with a great view of the Tetons behind him.




A penny stuck in the ice.  I kicked it into a deep pile of snow trying to get it out.  However, yesterday I hit pay dirt.  I found $1.91 in change on the side of the road.  Luckily I was near my car because it was a lot of money to carry!!!