It's TIME to FLY

Well here it is.... my final journal as I depart on July 25th as part of Team GB in the WTG -World Transplant Games. After 2 flights I will arrive into Durban, South Africa on 26th July sometime in the afternoon. Jet lagged or not, let the good times roll ;)

The actual games start on 28th July until 4th August and I will be competing in ladies badminton doubles, mixed badminton doubles, shot put, discus and lawn bowls. I have been training hard in my specialist sports and lawn bowls is something different for fun yet still competitive. Aswell, as my sports I have also been boosting my fitness with EBC - Essex Boot Camp (which replaced initially the gym from late last year).

ready for badminton

discus 

shot put

So major thanks to Glynn and James directors of Essex Boot Camp, EBC website and all the instructors for helping me. My badminton coach Michael Kilbey and athletics coach Brian MacKenzie Brian's website - thank you all so Very Much!!!

I will update my Facebook and Twitter accounts (@lamlungartist) as and when I can with updates, and those with my contact number can text me using whatsapp if you would like to contact me this way whilst away (duration of 3 weeks in total).

Upon returns, I will also update a blog on here about my World Games venture :)

Thanks again to everyone who has donated on my justgiving link, for anyone who would like to still to donate for Transplant Sport UK whilst I am away. The link is JustGiving here. Thanks, and as they say every little helps xxx

Also, some people already know, that these will be my last transplant games. There are a few reasons, mainly that I am tired and exhausted pushing my body sometimes training 5 times a week. I also feel that a new chapter in my life has begun, and I would like to try new and different sports/challenges. My eyes have been opened since joining Essex Boot Camp to military style outdoor training and activity days out. Also, massive thanks to EBC being my sponsors for World Tranplant Games.

I have already put myself forward for Rat Race (May 2014) which I'm doing half the course consisting of 13 miles and 150 obstacles. I know I can't run this and do the obstacles as my puff will go. So, have already said to myself I will walk 13 miles and attempt as many of the obstacles as I can. I will also be doing a 10 mile run (jog/walk) with an inspiring heart transplantee friend John Fisher who lives in Sweden. John and I will discuss later this year whether we do a 10 mile run where he lives or in the UK, again for 2014.

I have also signed up for a 6 week pole dance course in September and if I am any good will keep this going aswell at the bootcamp. I want to now enjoy exercise for keeping fit/fun. I do not want to push my body with competitive sports to an extreme and to lead a normal life exercising 2-3 times a week and not 5 or even sometimes 6!

The transplant community is still a BIG part of my life and always will be. I hope to maintain social events within the transplant games/be a spectator and carry on raising awareness on Organ Donation and LAM disease.

By having more 'me' time, I hope to finally try and resume my biography which is taking like forever as I am always SO busy!!! I also think it is about time I had time to meet someone too. My lifestyle has been that it's too manic to contemplate a boyfriend and even my social life with friends has taken a knock back as if I am training, I cancel a lot of fun times out.

This Needs to change, and after competing in UK, European and now my 2nd World Games (South Africa) - it is time to retire as an athlete, lol. Time for me to get my life back and have time for other things to pursue :)

Lastly, TNLAR - The National Lottery Annual Run which took place on Sunday 21st July, a 5 mile run ending up in the Olympic Stadium. It was a truly amazing day, and something I was urming and umming about actually doing as so close to flying to South Africa. In the end, I was like what the hell - a chance in a lifetime to end up running in the Olympic Stadium. Also, a great bunch of people from EBC going too. I was in the pink wave starting last, and was happy that I managed to changed waves to a faster group (not that I would or could be faster) hahaha. But, nice that I was able to start with most people in this wave already.

at start of race

The first 2 miles I was all gung ho, here I go - and funny as everyone run way past me and then I saw EBC peeps the other side approaching me. I had thought just step across a cut a mile out ;) But, kept going and by the time I had been where they was and saw me. I was like, WOW, these people are fast and had done 2 miles to my almost 1 mile!

pit stop required mile 3 

Quite apt I saw this on a wall as we were running (me walking) as in the photo below

running to mile 3 right, running to mile 4 on left side

The atmosphere was electric and also with music/bands at various points on the circuit. When I felt a lull, the music really did lift my adrenalin and another short burst before my puff needed to be resumed.

You know I am in awe of my friends and those who can run for miles and miles and don't need to stop to breathe. What does that feel like to do this?? What does it feel like to run and run and run and keep running and not struggle? I know it's daft I'm just wanting to be able to run a mile non-stop, this still hasn't happened...I will NOT give up and keep trying. Just, I never know from one day to the next how I will be. I am NOT a quitter and will live in hope :)

There were 11,839 runners on the day......find out later where I finished any guesses?

go go me.....

whoop here I am on the finishing track

Wow, final 100m to go!!

Approaching the stadium, all runners were lead through a tunnel and the crowd noise was played through, I think from Mo Farah's race. So, upon entering the stadium and seeing everyone was a euphoric moment. I wanted to run, yet, I also wanted to take pics on my phone!!

at end of race

medal :)

So.......I ended up from 11,839 runners coming in as position 11,807 being 32nd from last in 1 hour 26 minutes and 06 seconds!! I was happy with that, and it averages out as 17.2 minutes per mile. One EBC chap did his run in 33 minutes (Pete) truly amazing!!!! WOW!! A great day and thanks also to my parents being there too to watch.

Finally, I also celebrated my 7th year post double lung transplant on July 9th in National Transplant Week this year. I was busy also trying to raise awareness and I appeared in 3 newspapers (The East Anglian Daily Times, The Essex Chronicle and The Chelmsford Weekly News). It was also amazing to meet para-Olympian Danny Crates for an hour long radio interview BBC Essex Inspirational Essex show.

hate seeing how I used to look in the middle :(

Today I am happy

special cake made for me :)

Jo and Barry Laymond, my parents

To be an Organ Donor please click on this link NHS Organ Donation Thanks :)

Well, from what intended to be a short update as usual has become an essay, apologies. Whatever my outcome upon returning home from South Africa - I am winner as alive, any medals just a bonus of that. Obviously, it would be a nice way to retire with a medal - otherwise I will happily accept chocolate medals from you all :) xx

Over and out gorgeous people xx

Lactic Rush

How about a normal casual Sunday morning...waking up for a coffee and a bowl of cereal, newspapers, lazying about in bed. Having a nice chilled out day. Not Me! I was about to set upon another challenge, called, Lactic Rush - a 7 mile course with 30 obstacles. In the end, it turned out to be a distance of about 9 miles. I was totally exhausted and unable to move upon returning home.Standard for a Sunday, lol.

So, the build up to this event was seeing me trying to accustom my body to a 7 mile distance with interval training over a period of weeks leading up to Lactic in May. Thanks to all my friends who helped me out, and for the coffee/food chats after. It was not easy, and at times very frustrating and as usual wishing that I was able to run continuously without having to stop. I think the most I achieved in interval training was approx 5 miles and then having to walk the rest due to exhaustion.

The power of the mind is a great tool, and my determination always wins and sees me through. You will hear more about this, especially taking part in Lactic Rush.

I had no idea what the course route would involve except knew to expect mud and water. I have a fear of water too and know my lungs restrict (the airways close) as the cold goes into chest. But, I was still not deterred as knew I could walk round instead of entering any water obstacles.

The first part of the course I did try my interval training of jog/walk, but after so many obstacles and a constant moving into low ditches to coming out high was utilizing my energy. So, I totally gave up running and walked the whole way - if I felt a little burst - I would try for like a few seconds, lol.

Here I am at the start with Nicola and Kim

and looks like I am stamping ants at the warm up taken by Glynn

Here we go through the mud

swamp like most of the way round

I have included some photos taken to show what it was like and some of the layout that followed. You will see that it was not easy and I was left behind by most, hahaha.

Scott Smith and I and below his story

This information was taken from Scott Smith's justgiving link.....6 years ago at the age of 28 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. After a rather large operation and 6 tough years of recovery, I am now at 34 stronger than ever!

I am competing in Lactic Rush (a 7.5 mile cross country run and assault course) simply because I never thought I would ever be able to do something like this. Surviving Cancer has taught me that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything.

 I wasn't running for a charity simply for my own sense of achievement. A few people began to say that they would like sponsor me, and couldn't think of a better charity.

I was one of the lucky ones who because of these charities and all their hard work was diagnosed early. Allowing me 6 years later to do something stupid like compete in Lactic Rush! (The first of many such events I plan to complete in 2013) Unfortunatley not everyone is as lucky as I was. If you can your donations will not be to support a worthy charity but to also show my son that anything possible. It will also be a donation to honour the people close to us we have all lost to Cancer.

Scott and I started chatting through Facebook, and even though our journeys have been and were completely different, a sense of mind connection through the various emotions one feels experiencing a scary illness. It was great to meet Scott and I get inspired also by people and thanks Scott. Keep Rocking! :)

Sam and Craig who helped me towards the end of Lactic

See me....trying to slim down through the tyres

The course was almost over, and my energy levels were totally deflated and my puff on it's last legs almost, such a long route and draining me. The marshals were amazing and kept coming round to check I was ok as I was mostly on my own and so far behind everyone else. I was being offered water and chocolate too :)

I was also being offered alternative routes to cut shorter the distance and to avoid obstacles. In the end out of 30 obstacles I only missed out 4. The main one that concerned me was going down a slide into a muddy water pond. I can't get any mud or dirty water in my lungs...so that a definite no no! There were also large mounds like little mountains and I was told to walk round them. I said no....got a few shocked looks, hahaha....and up I went.....phew...puff...gasp of breath......but I got there and went down the other side smiling :)

Thumbs Up on the haystack :)

Whoop over I go

YAY! Getting to the finish line!!!!!

Thanks to the other bootcamp chaps Sam and Craig (from their own bootcamp site) helping lots at the end. I guess I knew I would be on my own and had a couple of people with me at the start. But, I did say go on as I would not be able to keep up. At times, I got upset and frustrated but used that mentality to keep me pushing and get to the finish. I was over 3 hours completing this race and the slowest female (no surprises there) and lunch time had way passed. I just want to finish! I am NOT giving up!

At one point there was another group of people helping me and even waiting for me until I arrived at some obstacles to see me through. One I actually walked in the water and then turned round to walk out. I don't know who this man was...but he encouraged me to turn back around and try. It was my most fear and a river neck deep and I knew my breathing would struggle.......he knew about my transplant, and actually helped me and coached me how to breathe each time the cold got into my lungs. He could see me I guess panic or breathing go shallow and was amazing....... I actually managed to get to the other side. Even the marshal was gobsmacked.

I've done it!

Team EBC

Thanks to those who waited for me to finish. It was great to also see Glynn and James the EBC directors wave me in :) And thanks also to Mike and Judit who made sure I was ok and got me a hamburger as I hadn't eaten for a long time. Thanks :)

Also, massive thanks to Rebecca who drove me there and back and even made me the most amazing chocolate cake as you can see in the photo below!! YUM!!

It's true to say, exhaustion upon returning home and the next few days was inevitable as I had put my body through a lot. However, as usual another huge achievement ticked off!

Well, soon I depart for South Africa on July 25th to compete in the World Transplant Games as part of Team GB/NI. I will write another little journal in the next couple of weeks. If anyone would like to still donate please click on this justgiving link thanks for Transplant Sport UK.

Thanks for everyone's support and to all at Essex Boot Camp - so glad I have found this fitness group.

Over and Out lovelies

Much love as always xxx

Survival of the Mind

I am not sure where to start as so much to write about this time round. From updating on my 30 day Paleo food challenge, and an All Day BootCamp I participated in, a recent hospital check up, and a fitness challenge in conjunction with the 30 days of paleo.

Phew deep breathe and let me begin.....

Me, "I wish I could be like everyone else" to Lisa (fitness instructor at EBC), "..you are, you work to your body's max ability". Just feeling a little down when partaking in a recent all day bootcamp event and seeing everyone run faster and way ahead of me, and able to breath and run continuously. On Sunday, 24th February I took part in a challenge at Bentwaters R.A.F to test my mind and fitness.

Essex BootCamp all Day event 9am-4pm

I know, I have done many crazy things but not endured a day of full on fitness. I have been very excited leading up to the build up of this, and also anxious as to how my body will cope for the whole day. I am NOT a quitter as most people know, yet, I also need to be sensible and listen to my body when enough is enough. On the morning on arrival to say I was crapping myself an understatement! Massive thanks to Mike and Judit who collected me at 7am (there is no way I could have driven home after, due to complete exhaustion - so was very grateful). Alarm was set for 6am, but, I had little sleep and woke up to delightful bags under my eyes and continued my morning with porridge and decaf coffee (real coffee once the road trip began).

I wasn't going to pay attention to the paleo/eat clean today, as was more concerned I got enough calories in me and for my health. Thankfully, the instructors were encouraging this too, and I tasted a flapjack being passed around in the morning.

The first part of the morning was a timed mile circuit...hahahahaha...I was thinking how long have you got? When, James (EBC instructor/director) said for me to start the opposite way and as soon as I see someone to run back again. Phew. Stop start stop start, breathing, breathing, start and beamed smile of relief as I saw Mike and then turned back to finish. Followed by a minute of press ups, sit ups, and maybe something else (can't remember now), to see how many we could do in a minute. Think I did 20 press ups, and 17 sit ups in a minute - not much compared to other people - but working to my ability.

Then team tasks running up/down bunkers and doing more exercises, OMG, running hard enough for me - but even when roads steep, but, an upright bunker...........yer yer I was a red faced flushed almost tango-ed puffed up Jussie! Also adding to this, carrying logs and doing various exercises with these to.

V-sit a killer 

running with Lisa EBC instructor

Two teams were split into carrying equipment:- tyres, sandbags, heavy ruck sacks and cans weighing heaven only knows and other bits to carry a distance and assemble and fire at a landmark. Then repeat, repeat, repeat......oh lalalala. Then next task, being covered in camouflage make-up  some ladies had Glynn (instructor/director) with his fingers over their faces..why not mine, hahahaha.......perhaps not me thinks ;) Then hiding in the woods and it was commented upon that I would be like a beacon, but, I wasn't found first! I laid down on the ground behind some bushes and when I was finally noticed I definitely was camouflaged up as my hair resembled a twig/leaf/nettled/leaf head which I pulled all the pieces out to become Red......

Whilst one team were finding some of us in the woods, the other group were doing a stretcher run task. Thankfully I had a couple of goes lying down whilst being transported with other people carrying me - I closed my eyes and shouted words of encouragement. RED is my nickname in bootcamp as in Red Fraggle from Fraggle Rock

Now...NO laughing with comparison please!! Hey, I said no...........damn you people, trust me to be compared to a stuffed puppet and perhaps a slightly mad one too!!

LUNCH time consisted of beef, veggies, potatoes and a little bit of apple strudel/custard with a fruit/nut bar I made added in. Being seated, I began to feel my body sink, but, still the endurance course to do. Changed my socks to seal skinz as aware we were going through a pond and will get wet!! Re-filled my water bottle, changed my top, bit of deodorant and time to rock n roll. Well, not quite.... get shouted out like in the military and line up and follow orders. I daren't be cheeky this day or speak as knew punishment would follow, it happens also at bootcamp but bit more banter at the hour long sessions. Today, was stricter for a purpose to be a mind set and keep going, not to give up, and at some point in the day the challenge will be when you want to give up - but the power of the mind keeps you going....Survival of the Mind. Boom!

The afternoon was filled with an endurance obstacle course, and initially being showed round the route. It felt like a work out to jog (in my case walk) and try a few of the obstacles, I was actually tired now and puff running on low reserves, and knew I needed stop and rest before the actual get go.

never fear the handsome men are here ;)

fell over as charged through the tyres

It was a timed event, but, I cut mine short after the 'pond' scenario.......

I was amazed I was still going, albeit at my own pace, and far far behind everyone else, and taking lots deep breathes and breather breaks when required. Determination to keep going - my mind staying strong and focused. Even though, my mind IS strong - I do have to listen to my body too. 

So the last challenge being walking through a chest deep ice cold pond. It was asked how I would cope if my lungs/me went into shock doing this. I said, I don't know until I try! Geesh, I am crazy - I just thought don't hesitate and I went straight in and the more I walked in and felt the cold go into my lungs..sheer horror filled me next. It is almost impossible to describe, but, I suddenly felt that I couldn't breathe as the cold tightened my lungs and unable to restrict. Panic and fear and a sense of helplessness, and hearing Glynn telling me to keep going. I knew I had to do this otherwise things would have got a lot worse. The element of the mind came in and I thought I must keep moving before collapsing or anything. The state of panic and gasping to breathe afterwards made me hysterical with tears, and trying to breathe and feeling freezing cold - not a pretty site. Thankfully, another instructor (Johnny) walked back with me the rest of the way (cutting the final distance short). I cried the whole way back and with lactic acid build up in my legs too - hobbling, crying, cold, frizzy hair - so glamorous eh ;)

BUT, I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another achievement - thank you very much. I would perhaps consider this type of day event again, but, NO way through that pond (unless summer time). Not worth putting me at a risk again. No regrets doing it now, as I like to throw myself in at the deep end...literally! lol x

And as always a MASSIVE thanks to James and Glynn, and to all the instructors who are excellent at what they do, and supportive working with me. xx

So now an update with the Paleo food 30 day challenge which has ended now. If you are unsure what I am talking about, my previous blog mentions what this is and why etc. I am quite proud how I managed to keep this going (minus my birthday blip - but I did bootcamp 4 times the following week to make up for it). I haven't missed cheese, crisps, coleslaw, all the sauces that I added to food mayo/ketchup/mustard/pickles/salad cream - you name it - I had it and I used it. After the 30 days, I did have a binge and ate everything that I wasn't allowed during this period, and surprisingly to me, I felt like a food snob. Ohhhh, I don't like that, ewww that tastes nasty. Amazing to think how much difference there is from fresh foods to how processed/convenience foods taste. I even bought 2 packet of what used to be my favourite crisps (onion rings and kettle crisps cheddar flavour), and I couldn't be more repulsed! I am shocked if I am honest, and actually really have enjoyed the challenge. 

Moving forward, I realise I will not be able to keep this up 100% but would like to try and adapt elements of this into my lifestyle. I have stocked up on coconut oil, almond nut butter and will cook more now too from scratch (time allowing).

Here are some more photos of the sort of foods I made and ate in this duration (more examples on my previous diary entry)

Fruit and Nut bar - no sugar 

lamb chop, parsnip chips, spinach, guacamole

pork goujons coated in mixed seeds/coconut/piri piri seasoning

homemade burgers,sweet potato mash,beansprouts/salad

sweet potato rosti's with onion/red pepper, burger, egg, veggies

Throughout this month, my shape has changed and an inch sometimes more have gone from various parts of my body, totally 7 inches of fat gone! WOW!

The Paleo 30 day challenge also involved a fitness test at the start of the month, and one to be completed after the duration. I am gutted, that I missed this due to my body not feeling 100%. There is NO point pushing, when simply I cannot. I do have to listen to my body and how I feel inside (lungs). I only hope that my time would have improved and that I would have been able to knock some minutes off. 

And now the final part of my journal, that of my check up at the infamous Harefield Hospital (my 2nd home).

I joined Essex Boot Camp around Oct/Nov time last year, and I have really pushed beyond even my own limitations - through sheer determination and an attitude to keep going. Some sessions, I have really struggled, and even my breathing has been an issue (some tears - not in the eyes of the instructors). But, stubbornness to keep striving and keep going keeps me motivated. I would like to see improvements from my results at hospital, but, I guess if no changes, I will feel deflated - but, also I know that if this IS the case, it will NOT stop me from continuing!

But, I was amazed when all tests completed and seeing my doctor in the afternoon, to a WoW, your lung function is amazing/high...or something to that effect and a big smile on her face telling me the news. My FEV1 which measures the forced expiratory volume in the first second has been the highest ever since my transplant! It is the volume of air that can be forced out in one second after taking a breath, an important measure of pulmonary function. I am supposed to do a daily spirometry reading myself and if a 10% decrease could be signs of an infection/rejection. My FEV1 over the years has averaged at about 1.80/1.90. Today it was 229! Last year, there have been small increases in-between each visit 1.80, 2.04, 2.08 (November 2012). But, my Doctor couldn't believe at the increase today of about 8%! I guess the, 'wow' in respect that this is NOT common after all these years to have a significant increase from 180 to 229!

We talked about my breathing issues too, and I queried why if my lung capacity has increased why I still struggle, then OB was talked about again. A new condition I was diagnosed with, Obliterative Bronchitis which is a progressive disease and over time closes down the airways making it difficult to breathe. At the time of diagnosis, medication was discussed to slow down the progression and I didn't want to (I take enough meds as it is) and hoped exercise would help, and it has! Obviously, if it gets to the stage and I do start to notice a decline I will happily take more pills. But, I have found a remedy that works for me for the short term, to keep exercising to keep my lungs working.

Then, the question was asked....'what am I doing?' I said, 'bootcamp'. My doctor's face looked aghast and her mouth dropped, silence followed...... and I'm sure in that silence she was saying to herself, WTF, OMG, what a crazy mo - fo!!! But, no words did appear and finally nervous and approving laughter filled the room, and then she told me to keep going :)

So there you have it!!! Finally, I celebrated my 40th Birthday in February, and above shows me acting all 'my age' ;)

Please keep smiling, and keep striving - even when you feel the odds are against you. I will never give up or quit, and always a fighter. Lots of love to you all with happy sprinkles ontop. xxx