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

Running

My very first 5k

I have ALWAYS wanted to be a runner. I have always wanted to just slap on a pair of running shoes, lace em' up, and go for a run. Not just once, but whenever I wanted to.

4 mile - Honeywagon Race - 52 minutes

When I was constantly sick with Cystic Fibrosis exacerbations, I tried to run but really running was few and far between. I did 3 5k's in a period of like 4 or 5 years, ran one, did one with oxygen, as well as ran/walked another. Every time I made it to the finish line I would be totally wiped out. And always wondering how the other people with normal lungs felt. Because of course most of them did not look even remotely tired comparing to how I felt. I know each person felt completely different after those 5k's, all racers feel different after any race of any kind for that matter, depending on how fit they were and how much training they have, as well as many other factors. I was just very curious.

I had actually completed the couch to 5k a few years (5-6 years maybe) prior to my transplant but the other times I just had done random slow run/walks and then just went out and tried so hard to push myself on raceday to make it to the finish. Usually shortly after the race I would end up sick or just super tired from overdoing it, and sleep a lot for a few days. I would also let my heart rate get to sometimes above 180.

Since I have been working through the couch to 5k program again in the past few months. I've been doubling most workouts, like instead of 20 I do 45 and instead of 30 I'll do 60. Then I started to realize I don't even get very tired durning those and was not tired afterwards. So I finally made it to week 5, which has a 20 minute run at the end, of course I was worried for this all week, but I surprised myself, I did it and felt good! I was just amazed!

2 mile Race - "Runnin' O' the Green - Ran in 26 minutes.

So the next day I ran I tried to go further (totally bagging the couch to 5k plan), instead of 20 minutes I ran for 35 minutes straight! So the next time I stepped it up even more. I started covering the clock on the treadmill so that I just ran without any knowledge of time. It made it a TON easier for me! So this time I ran for an entire hour. I was in complete awe! I felt so good and I couldn't help but think that this is how the other runners must feel.

It was like a turning point in my new life, with my new lungs. I just did something I've always dreamed of doing. Like now it was all real. So during my run I decided to peek at the clock and it showed 45 min and I was still feeling really strong, at that moment I realized I could do everything I've ever wanted to do, of course I knew I would be pushing myself to do more now, but by then there were tears falling down my face. It's actually just really hard to describe the feelings I had towards my new found ability, and the whole time, there was only one thing on my mind… my donor, mostly their family, but I had their lungs, inside of me, and now they are gone, and they are the only reason I am here and able to do all these things, and continue being me, is because of the CHOICE THEY MADE. To be a hero and donate their life.

I also constantly think about the doctors, nurses, and surgeons who got me here today. As well as my family and friends. Because not too long ago I was dying, on full time oxygen on the couch. While just about a month ago I ran 4 miles.

There is an amazing God out there, and absolutely no way I can deny it.