1/9/14 10:13 AM

It has been a treat to be able to watch Tom and Manny Goguen grow up before our eyes here in New England racing. They have been racing since they were able to peddle a bike. The family is incredible and they are two very nice kids. Cheer for them at CX Natz and oh by the way they both have cystic fibrosis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jXEOR6zwb4

1/9/14 10:49 AM

Racing cross with CF is something I wouldn't even have imagined. Best to them.

1/9/14 11:14 AM

The short, intense nature of cx really taxes all the cardio and pulmonary capacity limits on the first lap, as the rider's muscles all have to "warm up" to full-effort riding and running.
That someone with a breathing problem could compete is a sign of strong will and no doubt a well-thought strategy for the duration of each race.
Sheez, even on a dust-free course, or happening to be off the front in clean air, I can sometimes barely move my tongue at the end of the first lap from drymouth, so intense is the breathing rate.
Good luck to these guys, there's a mountainbiker here who works at the shop and has been dealing with this for as long as I can remember. The meds become a part of life.