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.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Big News!


I am so very excited! I will be participating in the 26th Marathon des Sables in Morocco, Africa from April 1 through April 11, 2011. I feel incredibly fortunate to have this opportunity. It will be a huge challenge for me, not necessarily because of the mileage, about 150 miles over six days (not to be taken lightly!) but because of the heat and my Addison's Disease. I will be going from below freezing temps to desert temps. I will need to figure out my salt intake and florinef adjustments rather quickly.

I already have a race number (597). I've been training as if I would participate in this race. I took all of November, after the Antelope Island 100k, off from running (not necessarily exercising) to give my body and mind a rest. I resumed a walk/run program in the beginning of December. This year, I am adding some cross training to keep me from getting muscular imbalances and more stress fractures. I've added pull ups 2X per week, yoga once a week, skate skiing in place of one of my runs and CrossFit when I can fit it in. We've got a new gym in Teton Valley! I've been doing a lot of running there instead of my cold, clammy garage or outside in the snow.

I am so looking forward to knocking a couple of things off my bucket list at one time. Since working Gemini Adventures Mountain RATS and Desert RATS a couple of summers ago, I've wanted to do a stage race. I wasn't able to run either of these races or work them again because both are in the summer and I just don't have time to do them now. Going to Africa is on my bucket list too. Yay!

I will post more about my training, heat training, pack training and Addison's in future posts.

10 comments:

Suzanna said...

Wow! how exciting!! :) It will be fun to hear how you get ready in the next couple of months.
-Suzanna (from the forums...) ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited for you! can't wait to follow your progress!

PuddleThumper said...

I am really looking forward to hearing all about the prep for and the this next adventure!

Pip said...

So excited for you! Also a little in awe. Looking forward to hearing all about the prep as it draws closer!

Linda said...

I am excited for you! I can't wait to hear how your body holds up. This is incredible! Do you have a sauna at your new gym? Maybe work up to time in there? How about a sauna training suit? I would go online and see how Deena Castro trained for the humiditiy and heat of the Greece Olympics.

Unknown said...

Thanks all!!

Linda, my gym doesn't even have a locker room!!!! I do have access to steam rooms and a heat training plan. If I go to Jackson, I can get in a sauna.

Training plan post in the works!

:) Dusty

J.O. said...

Wow! Very cool. I haven't checked your blog for a long time but happened to today for some reason.
I am sure you will enjoy it! Hope you are doing well!

danelover said...

dusty...so very excited for you...this will be such a test for your body...i am in awe of your abilities...will be cheering for you...take care of yourself in the meantime...

jumaha said...

Dusty, I just wanted to thank you for your blog. I was diagnosed with Addison's a few months ago and came across your blog not long after. It has been an inspiration to me and also a comfort. Thanks for providing a forum to bring people together. Keep up the good work!

Unknown said...

Thanks everyone Suzanna, Steve, PT, Pip, Linda, JO and Jumaha!

XO,

Dusty