Beginner Kidney Transplant Athlete

Hello everyone! Thanks for having me.

I just joined this site today to find information that I can use to better myself on my journey. I attended the first training session of the local triathlon club here in Orlando, Florida this morning and it felt great! I'm just started training after receiving a kidney transplant last year due to a hereditary illness. I found out about the Transplant Games of America and the World Transplant Games through one of the nurses at the hospital. They are competitions that draw thousands of athletes for a wide variety of sports. Of those I'm considering participating in are swimming, cycling and running. I just recently got accepted to participate in the 2016 Transplant Games of America in Cleveland, OH as a member of Team Florida. I'm thrilled!

I have a long way to go before June 2016 arrives. I just started turning up the intensity on my workouts due to my doctor finally giving me the all clear. I'm 27 years old and was born with a hereditary kidney disease, Alport Syndrome. Alport Syndrome is a rare disease that my parents were aware of soon after I was born. After I graduated college with a BA in Political Science in 2011 is when my kidneys took a sharp decline. I was on dialysis for almost two years before finally getting the call in April 2014 for transplant. The transplant has been a success and I'm just living every day so grateful for the blessing I've been given.

You're probably wondering why this has anything to do with why I'm doing this. Well, I want to honor my organ donor who is no longer on this earth for her sacrifice. I started a YouTube channel about my travels and adventures honoring my organ donor (www.youtube.com/robbiesroad). I'm not doing it for fame or anything like that, but rather to bring attention to kidney disease and let those who suffer from it (especially younger folk) that it is not a death sentence and that things will be okay. I decided to go back to school for Nursing so that one day I can help those in my situation a little further. I start my second semester later this month and I'm thrilled to be one step closer to graduation.

I just purchased my first pair of running shoes, well, at least quality running shoes (pair of Hoka Cliftons as I'm a heftier fellow at around 200 pounds and need the support). Now, I'm slowly saving for a bike (dang they are expensive) which I have a feeling is going to take some time since I'm in school, but for now I can use the spinning bikes at the gym. I look forward to continuing this journey and sharing it all with you. Thank you all for having me here. Cheers!