I haven't added anything to my blog in a while.  I feel this is a good event to add and share.  This past February I had the opportunity to travel to New Hampshire with 12 other guys for a snowmobile trip.  It was a great opportunity to get some miles in on our sleds since our trails around home were experiencing a very mild winter.   I had never ridden in the NH area and was excited to experience the different views and trails they had to offer. They would not disappoint!

Leaving on a Sunday and returning the following Saturday would give us five full days and a half of riding.  I had never ridden for more than three days in a row.  This was a bit of a concern for me.  I'd be leaving following a transfusion week. So, I should be good to go with fresh blood hopefully loaded with young cells able to deliver oxygen quickly and outlast the week of riding. 

Snowmobiling burns an average of 238 calories an hour depending on how hard you ride.  And exercise can rupture red blood cells as they pass through capillaries in contracting muscles.  Reducing my already short supply of RBCs.  It's a legitimate concern rather I'll be able to last the entire week.  I'll be riding with a group of guys of which are mostly 10-15 years younger than me. And the older ones who are my age are mostly healthy.   I figured if I did get too tired to push on, my sled is equipped with the latest in map and GPS technology so I could leave the group and head back to the cabin at any time and or leave later and meet up on the trail. 

Preparing for the week.  

First and foremost, fill up on three units of RBCs and hope they are all newly dated meaning fresh on the shelf with expiration dates far into the month. I'll receive the blood the Thursday prior to leaving.  Scheduling for Thursday gives me a one-day cushion in case something goes wrong at the lab or for any reason they can't have all three units ready on Thursday I can receive them Friday. 

Second, I worked on getting enough sleep prior to leaving and throughout the week of riding.  This would mean not staying up and partying with the young guys.  As much as I wanted to hang with them, I knew I could not if I wanted to last the week.  

Third, I've noticed I require good protein when I am planning on physically pushing myself.  Every morning I started out with and egg, cheese, and meat on a biscuit or bagel for some carbs.  Followed by good hydration throughout the day. 

I'm happy to say.  It all worked out.  I kept up. Not always in the front and occasionally at the rear but I made it through each day feeling good and always ready for the next day.  And I think that is key.  If I had come out of each day exhausted, feeling beat, and sick, I would not have enjoyed the week. Not by any means am I saying I could do this every week or even every month, but I successfully planned and figured out a way to be "normal" for a week. 

All who ride with thal have additional obstacles, but we should never let thal hold us back.  Plan it out and try it.  You can never say you didn't try.  I'm here to say it's worth it.  And to show you, take a look at some pics I've attached from our trip.  

Just board?  Thumb through my YouTube channel.