thoughts

just breathe, they said

i'll try, i replied

inhale

exhale

repeat

it can't be that bad, they said

it shouldn't be this hard, i replied

inhale

exhale

repeat

are you alive?

...

Year in Review: 2014

2014 was a GREAT year for me! I'm thankful for such great family members and friends who supported me in achieving my goals. Many of you motivated me, laughed with me, laughed AT me, and even cried with me. My 2014 resolutions were to: be healthy and run a half marathon. I'm happy to say I did those things and more. 

In April, I was featured on Club CF's website as a 20+ year old thriving despite having a life threatening medical condition. Club CF does a great job at promoting awareness but also giving younger CF'ers a look at all of the potential they hold- if you push yourself. 

In May, I ran the Great Strides 5K in Addison, TX. The weather was favorable, I had a great team, and successfully ran it in it's entirety in 38 minutes. 

I also participated in the Dallas Carry the Load with my brother, an OIF veteran. We walked 13 miles in the rain with 25lb rucksacks. During this time, we talked about his military experiences, gossiped, laughed, and bonded just as siblings should. 

In late July I purchased my Specialized Ruby Elite in preparation for the CFF Cycle For Life. For the next two and a half months, I called the CF Foundation regularly. I visited Richardson Bike Mart religiously. I rode my bike consistently. I pushed myself. It was hot, I was tired. It was windy, I was hungry. It was getting dark, I was aching. 

I also received sponsorships from Bolthouse Farms and Smith Optics. Bolthouse Farms donated to the CFF and if it weren't for their support, I wouldn't have been able to participate. Smith Optics provided me with gear that was discounted at an amazing rate and allowed me to focus on training instead of purchasing gear. So, big thanks to those two companies and their amazing reps!

In August, I was nominated and recognized by the More Than Just Me Foundation for my involvement in the CF community.

In September, I loaded up my bike and headed to Highland Village. I was intimidated- elite cyclists, triathletes, ironman champions, and then there was me. The ONLY person with Cystic Fibrosis that participated. No pressure...Rest stops every few miles were loaded with "fuel" (as the cool cyclists call it!), water, gatorade, pickle juice, bananas, jerky, granola bars. Port-a-johns that were awaiting my arrival, volunteers that were freezing but ecstatic. Did I mention this day was abnormally cold, and extremely windy? Oh, and the mountains hills on the course. There were a lot of those.  I had an amazing group of people with me, the turtles as they called themselves. I crossed the finish line and immediately broke down. I couldn't believe I rode my bike for 60 miles...4 hours straight! I hugged my family members and best friend, and consumed as many calories as I could. It wasn't the cycling that hurt or that made me want to give up. It was my mind. I wasn't allowed to exercise when I was little...and there I was. I wasn't supposed to live this long or be this healthy. I wanted to give up because mentally, I wasn't prepared. I was afraid, intimidated, and overwhelmed. I kept pedaling because with every pedal, I was defying odds.

It was on this day that I truly realized my diagnosis doesn't determine my destiny, I do. 

In December, I ran the Dallas Metro PCS half marathon and completed 13.1 miles in under 3 hours. My body hurt, but there was no giving up. 

It was a great year and I'm so thankful for those of you who celebrated it with me. Your support is what keeps me going when things get tough.

Here's to making 2015 bigger and better!

Love,
Rebecca