I Love College Towns

Whenever I'm lucky enough to travel to a college town, I absolutely love it! There's just such a different vibe between a town with a university as it's pulse than a big city or a town without a college.

I was in Columbia, MO this weekend and was able to take a tour around town and spend some time on the campus of the University of Missouri. I also walked up and down "the strip" to see all of the local watering holes, pizza places and college apparel stores. It's funny how "the strip" changes from college to college yet stays the same. Know what I mean?

These days you have to have your Fro-Yo place, pizza place, some type of asian cuisine, usually American Apparel (or a store much like it), and so on and so forth. Just like the same big box stores like to stay together, so do the typical college strip stores.

I also LOVE to see the stadiums and arenas on campus. As you know, I'm a sports nut and nothing makes me happier than a cool looking football stadium. (I also saw where the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals play and their stadiums just don't do it for me). I don't know if it's the architecture, the story behind the stadium or just my vision of it packed with 1000's who love their team, but I do know I thoroughly enjoy them. In fact, when I'm hospitalized down in Tucson, I also make sure to swing by the football stadium on the University of Arizona campus to see if there is anything new.

Campus tours are also something I really enjoy. Campus tours on the east coast or midwest are even more awesome because of the age of their buildings. UofM actually reminded me quite a bit of UofA with the red brick buildings outlining a big strip of grass (we call it "the mall"). UofM however in general just has much prettier buildings. Here's a few pics:

So anyway, pretty random, but that was my weekend. Big thanks to the folks at University of Missouri Children's Hospital for inviting me to speak to their folks at the CF Education Day!!

AZ CF Cycle for Life

The Arizona Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation  is hosting the Aptalis CF Cycle for Life presented by BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. on Saturday, November 3, 2012 beginning at 7am starting at Goodyear Sports Complex, Goodyear, AZ. The ride will kick off to two routes –35-miles and 65-miles – and then riders will embark on their ride traversing the farm lands, Sonoran desert, Verrado and rural communities throughout Estrella Mountains, Goodyear and Avondale to raise dollars for cystic fibrosis research.

Here is an opportunity for individual and cycle clubs to make their mark! Ride organizers are expecting hundreds of riders to take to the streets in support of changing CF to CURE FOUND! All funds raised will support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Foundation is one of the most effective and efficient organizations of its kind. It has received a four-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator, the largest independent charity evaluator in the United States, and is an accredited charity of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.

“This event will be a great ride for all—no matter your riding experience we have a route for you!” said Sheryl Keeme, executive director for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “Join my team Girls Gone Riding or form one of your own. But it isn’t just the route and the weather that will bring people together. We’re uniting in the cause of finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.”

With more than 30,000 people living with CF nationwide, cystic fibrosis is the number one life-shortening disease of children and young adults in the U.S.; however, there is much hope for the future as the median survival age for cystic fibrosis sufferers has climbed to 37+ years.

Cyclist can register today for the Inaugural CF Cycle for Life at www.cff.org/chapters/arizona. Register today and save, the $25 registration runs through July 31, 2012. Registered cyclists are asked to raise $150 by event day, but riders are encouraged to go above and beyond with their fundraising efforts.

Additionally, those who want a taste of the ride, can participate in a free kick-off ride through Verrado on Saturday, Sept. 29, through Verrado beginning at 7:30 AM!

           

Corporate sponsorships are available; please contact Sheryl Keeme at skeeme@cff.org or call 602-224-0068 at CFF to learn more.

Top rider fundraisers will receive a variety of prizes, including a collectors’ ride shirt, cycle jersey, wind jacket and other unique cycle items.

About The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Arizona:

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, of Arizona, headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., is a donor-sponsored nonprofit organization dedicated to finding therapies and a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF), while helping to improve the lives of those living with CF. CF is the No. 1 life shortening disease of children and young adults in the U.S. Caused by a genetic defect, the disease forces the body to produce abnormally thick mucus, leading to chronic, life-threatening lung infections and impairs digestion. Thanks to the support of millions and the work of organizations like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, researchers have discovered the basic genetic defect that causes CF. While today there exists no cure, an arsenal of remedies have been produced to help treat the disease, dramatically extending the life expectancy of people living with CF. The foundation’s “pipeline” is filled with more than 25 promising CF therapy candidates in clinical trials and six others in laboratory development. With help from its supporters, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation looks forward to the day research finds a cure.

Tutu's & Brews 5k

Going to be in or around San Antonio in two weeks?? Check out this great event. I'll have some family there so you can say hi :)

I Outrun CF.

Yesterday was a great day for the CF community at large. All over the nation, and in fact the world, we got together (virtually) to "out run" CF. The Rock CF and CysticLife foundations teamed up to put on a special virtual race that could be run anywhere, by anyone and at any distance. When putting together an event like this you never quite know how it's going to turn out and I think that the foundations behind it are very pleased and surprised with the results. We had runners, joggers and walkers post pictures from all over the world on the Outrun CF Facebook page as well as their own personal blogs which I've included some examples here here here here here here here here and here. I mean seriously how cool is that? It was as simple as registering online (over 200 people did just that), putting on your T-shirt and getting a group together (or running solo) all in the name of out running CF. It really warms my heart when you can see the community get together and get behind something as simple as this. It was as if with one loud voice we all screamed that we were not going to take this lying down and we were going to do what we had to do to literally out run CF!

So how did I out run CF yesterday? Well, at 7:30 in the morning I laced up my shoes, mapped out my course and then hit the pavement (right after my morning treatment of course!). I set out to do a 5K not knowing whether I would run the entire time or do some walking intermittently between the runs. The answer is I ran as well as walked. I certainly wanted to run the entire time but I didn't have the legs nor the lungs yesterday morning. Good news is that my legs probably held me back more than my lungs did. This entire last week I ran every single day and by the time Sunday rolled around my legs were pretty fatigued. After being in the hospital for 28 days it definitely takes some time to get my conditioning to the point that I can run for three straight miles. However this time out of the Hole I'm further along than most times due to all the workouts I did while in the hospital. All in all I was very happy with my time and my distance and most of all that I was out running CF with each step.

Mandi also outran CF yesterday. Under doctors orders she's not allowed to run just yet however she did manage to walk 6 miles. I know it's killing her not being able to run and she is counting down the days until she gets the green light. Right now she just has to take it easy as our little peanut grows. Mandi's definition of "taking it easy" is different than most others though. She's been doing all that she can to stay active and generally takes at least two walks a day plus whatever she has going on at the gym. Her dedication to stay fit and healthy is such a large driving force for me in my journey to awesome health and lung function.

I encourage all of you to click on the links above, "like" the Outrun CF Facebook page and check out all the blogs yesterday that were out running CF. If you have any blogs or pictures that you'd like to share of you out running CF please include the link in the comment section below. Thank you all who participated and please know that this was not a one-time event! If you weren't able to out run CF yesterday I promise that you'll be out running CF in the near future!

Thankful for Fun!

Thought I would dig this video out of the archives for Thankful Thursday. I'm always thankful for events to raise money for CF and I'm even more thankful if I get to do fun "commercial" spots for them!

I'm starting to miss my long hair...wait a second, no I'm not.

Great Opportunity for CF Awareness

Here's some of the things that I'm so thankful for today....

I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge how thankful I am for all of those who have served in our great military. I have many family members who have served honorably (and continue to do till this day) and am humbled by the dedication they have to serve. My dad retired a Chief Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force a handful of years back and his retirement ceremony continues to be one of the most emotional days that I've ever had. I can say without a doubt, that I was more proud of my dad that day than I have ever been before. To see how many lives he had touched during his military career was truly breathtaking. So to all of the men and women who serve this great country of ours and protect freedoms that I take for granted every day, THANK YOU!!!

I'm so thankful for my positive support system that has grown online. I've always had great family and friends that have been there for me and root me on like nobody's business, but it's nice to feel all of love coming from parts of the CF community. Like all of my other fibros and cysters know, you'll never really get it, unless you're in it. The fact that I have so many of you cheering me on that have been there and feel what I feel means the world to me. You'll never truly know what it means to me and I only hope that I can support and inspire all you as much as you have supported and inspired me.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity that Mandi and I have coming up this weekend in Dallas, Texas. We've been invited to be the "CF Education and Information" czars at an event called the CF Concert Series. I just hope that when people walk away from that event, they'll know more about CF than when they came. And if things go really well, we'll be able to plant a seed in those people that not only make them feel compelled to learn more about Cystic Fibrosis, but to pass that knowledge on to friends and family. A cure for CF starts with awareness and we hope to be able to create much of it at this event.

CFF Pool Party

11:ooam: I slept in a little bit this morning, but I was still up by 8 or so. I did however really enjoy my morning and didn't rush out the door to go and work out. I wanted to make it a calm morning cause I know that I'll be heading to a CFF pool party later on and those are anything but calm. They raise a ton of money for CF, but that's generally the last reason people are there. I've always had a slight objection to events like that, but when it comes down to it, it's all about the money. That's the CFF's job. Raise money to find a cure and that next great med. There is no other non-profit out there that does such a great job in moving forward on it's mission. If I have to watch a bunch of people gather together "in the name of CF" who actually have no idea what CF is BUT they are writing checks, then I guess it's better than a sharp stick in the eye. Much better actually. It also puts "pressure" on me to go to these events and carry the torch so to speak and talk to as many people as I can about the disease. I've met many great people over the years through CFF events and many of them stay involved with the Foundation in some sort of capacity.

Ok, sorry, I got sidetracked. So I headed to the gym around 11 with some making up to do. I had to do my back workout that I missed yesterday PLUS arms. I knew it was going to be a long gym session. Mandi and I were looking forward to arms (especially because of the upcoming pool party :)) but back not so much. We did bicep and triceps first which went really well. It felt like we were both moving in slow motion, but the clock also seemed to slow down. About an hour into our workout Mandi mentioned that it felt like we had been there for 3 hours. By the time we got to back we were both super fatigued. Instead of the normal 5 lifts that we do for back, we ended up doing 3. The last exercise was wide grip pull ups and I couldn't finish my sets. My upper body felt dead. I was glad that we did most of our back workout though cause I hate missing workouts and I wouldn't have felt right if we didn't make up at least some of it.

Side Note: The CFF pool party was a huge success. It seemed busier than last year and I heard that they sold over 14,ooo dollars worth of pre-sale tickets. I'll try to get a number this week of exactly how much the event made. After a day in the sun, Mandi and I spent the rest of it relaxing. There was no more working out or exercising, but plenty of grilling and hanging out. Just what the doctor ordered...speaking of, time to do my treatments.

Total Distance for Day: 0 miles 

Rock n Roll Bike Run

Today was full of the 1st annual Rock n Roll Bike Run to benefit the CF Foundation, so needless to day, there wasn't much in terms of exercise. I did however manage to take Jezzy for a mile long dog walk.

Total Distance for Day: 1.0 mile

Here are some pics from the event for your viewing pleasure....

Here is the early crowd that got started at Cocomo Joes.

I then got them all "riled up" with a speech.

It was then on to The Hideaway.

We then moved on to Dirty Dogs Saloon.

There's Mandi, Mike, and my blogging Cysta Sara hanging out at Dirty's.

Me and Chris Parker. He put this great event together.

You've got to love it when people can come together, hangout, and have fun, all to benefit CF research.