Ironman Cathy - How I #TackleAsthma Image

Love it Cathy!

Kathy P posted:

Awesome - will have to go find it!

In case it's buried......the address is www.bringiton23.com :-)

Kathy P posted:

Ooh, did I miss you telling us about your blog?

It's in the original picture post.  The link is there at the end of my commentary. I haven't written on it in years but I do walk people through my journey (including details of my first lung collapse as a result of asthma) and how I maintain my asthma now. I'm a bit verbose. :-) 

Ooh, did I miss you telling us about your blog?

Kathy P posted:

Well, now I'm blubbering all over my keyboard! You rock girl!

Awwwww, sorry!  It's a fun cry though, isn't it? :-)  Such amazing people out there in this world. We located the athlete who gave me his medal and he and I corresponded for quite some time.  He even added a "guest blogger" entry on my blog. Can't believe it has been nearly four years. :-)

Kathy P posted:

I <3 the sign! That is fantastic!

Thank you!  Here is a video of the finish.  It's a few minutes long but it's pretty exciting. I missed the cutoff by 23 seconds, but it didn't matter.  Watch all the way to the end and see what happens! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndY9xptZI9w

I <3 the sign! That is fantastic!

That is awesome!  What an inspiration.  Welcome to AAFA's online communities.  Stop by our asthma support forum to introduce yourself and get support from others who deal with asthma.

I am a life-long asthma sufferer.  I have nearly lost my life more times that I can recall from this condition.  And yet, I have found ways to maintain my illness through nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, which in turns allows me to exercise more, which in turn, improves my condition.  I still have seasonal and infection (sinus) triggers that have a big impact and I get very ill occasionally.  But when I am healthy, I take full advantage. On this day, June 26th, 2012, I completed an Ironman Triathlon.  That is, a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and then I ran a marathon (26.2 miles), all in one day. I was the last finisher, which in itself is a statement. I was literally the one athlete out of 2200 who exercised for the longest period of time that day. I made it, I conquered it, I tackled asthma and destroyed it that day. The year before, I attempted the race and was the first one in the medical tent as I was in the midst of a long asthma episode. To finish the following year with thousands of people cheering me on was far beyond my expectations. NEVER. EVER. GIVE. UP.  Here is a link to the crazy finish line. I missed the cutoff by 23 seconds, but it didn't matter.  Watch all the way to the end and see what happens! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndY9xptZI9w Read about my journey and how I maintain my illness here:  www.bringiton23.com.