What's up Nina? Thoughts from a Cystic Fibrosis Survivor & Lung Transplant Recipient

My New Fav

I recently decided that I LOVE road biking and I cannot wait to get stronger and gain confidence doing just that. I already knew I liked to go fast (cars, snowboards, etc) but the thing about now that's different from before is that I have the ability to participate in self propelled fastness that I was never given the opportunity.

I once rode my moms bike, YEARS AGO, a little ways down hill (didn't have to pedal at all) and after that I wanted to ride it forever, so there was always something there, but obviously biking without being able to breathe or walk doesn't work too well.

So I always said the first thing I would do if I got a transplant was get a road bike. Well I did just that! But before my transplant I purchased a spin bike to start practicing, which didn't go over so well, I could ride the thing maybe 5 minutes and I basically just gave up. That was another on of those "it sounded like a good idea at the time" moments….

Meanwhile it sat there as inspiration, a really expensive inspiration, in hopes for the day I could ride it forever. Turns out it was the best decision yet! When I was finally able to return home from the hospital I was on that thing constantly. Before I knew it I could ride for an hour without stopping. That said, it was time to hit the streets!

I got a road bike for Christmas and I was very eager to test it out. Still limited by strength and endurance my first couple rides were on completely flat road with a wide shoulder, and I made it barely 5 miles each time. Soon after I was riding 10, 12, and even 15 miles a lot in town an in traffic which I had been scared to death of not long before!

One of my most memorable rides was when I tried to spectate a race that my mom and her friends participated in, which was a half marathon (13 miles) but little did I know it was almost completely straight uphill!! Needless to say it was hard watching runners pass me by and not making it to the finish in time to see my mom. I was also planning on taking photos (which I packed my camera among other things into what turned out to be a really heavy shoulder bag) but I made it nonetheless!!

Besides that, I felt accomplished the day my mom and I ride over 30 miles, and now I just hope to keep adding onto it from there!!