On June 5, Kristin raced in the Commerce Bank Reading Classic, where she placed 5th. Three days later, on June 8th, she raced in the Commerce Bank Liberty Classic; unfortunately, not one of her better races. She finished number 45.

After Kristin finishes this staged race Nature Valley Stage Race, she gets a bit of a break as her next race is on July 10 so let’s cheer her on! Currently, she’s at number 22 after 3 days.

You can read about Kristin’s fight with osteoarthritis here: Company’s calling – Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong talks about her osteoarthritis and previous posts about her progress here: Following Kristin Armstrong’s ride to the Olympics.

Do you have any words of encouragement to leave for our Olympic cyclist celebrity?

Image: Kristin Armstrong

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Post from: Blisstree

Help My Hurt continues to follow Kristin Armstrong’s ride to the Olympics

As we get closer to the Olympics, cyclist Kristin Armstrong is riding her way to Beijing, one race at a time. We’ve been following Kristin because she is a great example of how some people are able to live with a disease like osteoarthritis. While not everyone can manage to achieve the level of athleticism that she has when healthy, even fewer can do so when they have a disease that causes chronic pain and disability.

On June 5, Kristin raced in the Commerce Bank Reading Classic, where she placed 5th. Three days later, on June 8th, she raced in the Commerce Bank Liberty Classic; the results are not yet posted – I’ll add them as soon as I know.

Kristin’s next race is on June 11 so let’s cheer her on!

You can read about Kristin’s fight with osteoarthritis here: Company’s calling – Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong talks about her osteoarthritis and previous posts about her progress here: Following Kristin Armstrong’s ride to the Olympics.

Do you have any words of encouragement to leave for our Olympic cyclist celebrity?

Image: Kristin Armstrong

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Post from: Blisstree

Help My Hurt continues to follow Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong

Many people find Kristin an inspiring role model because she lives with the chronic pain of osteoarthritis.

On May 4th, Kristin came in 29th in Switzerland’s Berner-Rundfahrt / Tour de Berne World Cup (Results) and she was just here in the Montreal this past weekend, where she participated in the rain-soaked Montreal World Cup. Kristin placed 5th overall (Results).

Just days later, Kristin participated in the Commerce Bank Lehigh Valley Classic, where she placed 11th (Results).

It’s a busy month for Kristin because she’s scheduled to race today in the Commerce Bank Reading Classic and on the weekend in the Commerce Bank Liberty Classic. We’ll keep following her until she reaches her goal of the Olympics in Beijing, China!

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Post from: Blisstree

Following Kristin Armstrong’s ride to the Olympics

It’s been a while since I wrote a “musings” post so I thought it was about time.

I am so thrilled with the number of people who have been stopping by Help My Hurt to read what I have to write. I’m trying my best to mix things up between news about different pain-related issues, drug approvals, interesting sites about painful disorders, people living with chronic pain, and some personal stories.

One goal is to have other professionals writing guest posts or agreeing to interviews. I’ve had some success in that respect. The Company’s calling with Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong was very popular and I’m hoping that we can follow her along her journey to the Olympics. The fact that she is open and willing to share her life with osteoarthritis is very welcome.

Speaking of Company’s calling – our lady who answers the door may be very lonely on Monday. I’ve used up all my interviews and don’t have anyone waiting in the wings. Please, if you feel comfortable sharing your story, consider participating in this feature. I think that Company’s calling is a great way for people to learn that they are no alone – something that is very important when you’re someone who is living with pain. Please email me if you are interested.

I have a some healthcare professionals who have agreed to participate, so it’s just a matter of getting the timing right – I hope to cover all different angles of pain and living with pain.

I received an email asking me if I “just took news and posted the links” here. I don’t think I do that too much, but if the consensus is that you would like fewer news links then I can cut back. I just figured that if the news is already written, there’s not much point to me rewriting it.

As usual, if you would like to see a topic covered – all you have to do is drop me a line to make your suggestions. Anything that is even remotely related to pain will definitely be considered.

Now… time to step away from the computer and go outside to enjoy that wonderful spring sunshine.

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Image: iStock.com

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday musings

Image: iStock.com

I was going to introduce our visitor today as a special visitor – but then again, everyone who stops by Company’s calling is special, right? But today, we do have an extra special visitor. Someone who works with World Champion cyclist Kristin Armstrong noticed Help My Hurt and offered to put us in touch. Kristin wrote this to share with Help My Hurt’s visitors. Thanks Kristin and good luck!

Putting a New Spin on Arthritis

My name is Kristin Armstrong; I’m 34 and a World Champion cyclist. I was also diagnosed with osteoarthritis nearly seven years ago. Before my diagnosis I was an accomplished tri-athlete, but my doctors thought such intense exercise would be too hard on my joints. Slowing down was not an option so I turned to cycling which is great for people with arthritis. Through a lot of hard work and determination, I am now preparing to compete as a cyclist in the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. This year, I am also supporting the Arthritis Foundation’s annual Arthritis Walk events and Team TripleFlex by sharing my personal success story.

My goal is to inspire and motivate those with arthritis to stay fit and do the things you love whether it’s playing with your children or grandchildren, gardening or hiking your favorite trail.

Here are my top five tips for being active and maintaining joint health.

* Fuel It Up – Experts agree there is a special connection between nutrition and joints. A balanced diet high in antioxidants containing citrus fruits, green, leafy vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids such as those found in salmon provides active adults with the nutrients they need to maintain joint health. A balanced diet also gives you the energy you need for your favorite activities.

 

* Walk It Out – Research shows that physical activity is one of the best ways to keep joints in top shape as it helps maintain weight and build strength, which aids shock absorption and injury prevention. Walking and biking are two of the best exercises to maintain joint health.

 

* Boost It Up – For an extra boost in joint health, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can also help. Studies show that glucosamine and chondroitin promote joint comfort and elasticity. I actually stopped taking my prescription drugs a few years ago and have adopted a natural treatment plan that works for me.

 

* Keep It Down – A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people who lost just 11 pounds cut their risk of osteoarthritis in half. Combine portion-controlled meals and plenty of exercise most days of the week to help keep weight in check. Don’t forget that walking through the mall and cleaning the house both count as exercise!

 

* Take It Further – The Arthritis Foundation’s Arthritis Walk events are held in communities across the nation to raise public awareness and funds to help people living with arthritis lead active, mobile lives. Nationally sponsored by Nature Made TripleFlex, walkers can sign-up as a team and come out to support a family member or friend.

 

Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting a new health regimen. To follow me on the road to Beijing, visit www.kristinarmstrongUSA.com. For more information on joint health options, visit www.tripleflex.com. To find an Arthritis Walk in your area, go to www.arthritis.org.

Thanks again Kristin. I’m Canadian so I’ll be a bit torn as to who to root for, but I will be hoping only the best for you. Please come by and let us know how you are doing.

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Photos: Kristin Armstrong

Post from: Blisstree

Company’s calling – Olympic cyclist Kristin Armstrong talks about her osteoarthritis