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Naperville boy's triathlon training eases lung condition

Junior high can be all about standing out while keeping up - a task that becomes even more challenging when there's a health condition in the mix.

But 12-year-old Colin Walsh, who has cystic fibrosis, seems to have found a winning method: triathlons.

Colin's disease weakens his lung function and digestion, clogging his lungs and pancreas with thick mucus that makes it difficult to breathe and absorb the nutrients in food.

But training for a "tri" - with all the swimming, biking and running it entails - shakes up the lungs and loosens the mucus, acting as extra treatment and improving Colin's ability to breathe.

His body loves the boost in breathing capacity from all the exercise, say his parents, Trisha and Chris.

"When he was a baby, we were told exercise is very important. It naturally thins out the secretions," Walsh said. "The defect is everything is thick and sticky inside him."

Colin's competitive spirit thrives not only on keeping up, but on the thrill of finishing strong - and the swag and bling that come with it.

"I like to win all the medals," he said.

Plus, in triathlons, Colin has the company of friends and the support of family.

Several of his best neighborhood buddies have competed with Colin in triathlons hosted at Naper Carriage Hill Swim & Racquet Club. And he got his start in the sport when his uncle, Bryant Krizik, completed the Chicago Triathlon for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and crossed the finish line with 8-year-old Colin atop his shoulders, soaking in the glory.

"I took his medal," Colin said. "Well, he gave it to me."

Colin's next triathlon, his eighth since competing with his uncle, comes Saturday in the Life Time Kids Tri Chicago at 7 a.m. at Foster Beach along Lake Michigan.

He'll probably get nervous, as he's even thrown up before races in the past. But his mother says Colin has never let nerves, an unsettled stomach or complications of cystic fibrosis deter him from the joy of motion, of competing in the pool, of exploring the subdivision by bike with friends.

"His training is being a kid," Trisha said.

Triathlons, especially the swimming part, are helping him stay a healthy kid.

"The sport has helped to develop him into becoming a fully functioning boy even though he's affected by cystic fibrosis," said Scott Hutmacher, regional brand manager for Life Time, the sponsor of the Chicago Kids Tri. "He's forcing his lungs to become very efficient by becoming fast in the water."

Training, treatment

Colin took a wandering childhood path to the sport that's become his favorite - swimming - after first trying gymnastics at age 3, then learning to ride his bike and trying his foot at soccer.

His parents say they've kept all of their children, including 14-year-old Allison and Colin's 12-year-old twin Megan, involved in physical activities, but especially Colin because of the benefits of exercise for his condition.

"It improves my lung function," he says.

Colin's favorite stroke is an unusual one - butterfly. But in the Kids Tri on Saturday, he'll swim 200 meters freestyle. He'll follow up with a 7-kilometer bike ride and a 2-kilometer run. He finished his most recent triathlon of these distances in 40 minutes, 55 seconds.

While racing, Colin says he feels instep with his peers, not hindered by any difficulty breathing.

"I never really have trouble," Colin said. "I don't see it as any different as anyone else."

But Hutmacher says Colin is a standout because he's using healthy habits to stand up to his disease.

Growing in health

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder that causes persistent lung infections and hampers the ability to breathe. Colin was diagnosed at birth, and he spent the first 30 days of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit.

His family got involved in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation right away, participating in the annual Great Strides walk in Naperville only 14 days after baby Colin left the hospital.

His condition can be life-threatening, but Colin recently started taking a new medication called Orkambi, which his parents say is the first treatment to address the gene mutation that causes cystic fibrosis instead of just quelling the symptoms.

"Hopefully it'll correct the defect as long as he takes it every day," Colin's father said.

Colin hasn't noticed any difference since he began taking the drug about a month ago. But results in other patients have been promising and the idea is Colin eventually won't have to take any other medications to fix complications of the condition, such as difficulty keeping on weight.

Colin's body doesn't absorb nutrients well so he has to supplement meals and snacks with a tube-feeding at night.

"His stomach can't take in enough food to fuel him," Colin's father said.

And that's the only way exercise works against him.

The more Colin swims, bikes and runs, the clearer his lungs become. But the more he moves, the more calories he burns and the more he has to ingest to avoid losing weight from his 74-pound, 4-foot 9-inch frame.

Weight won't be on Colin's mind as he heads to the beach Saturday morning. A finisher's medal will be. As will bragging rights among his neighborhood pals. Because the best part of competing in triathlons, for this junior high kid, is keeping pace with his peers.

"I get to do it with all my friends," Colin said.

  Colin Walsh, 12, of Naperville is training for the Lifetime Kids Tri Chicago triathlon. He has cystic fibrosis, but the exercise fights the disease. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
  Twelve-year-old Colin Walsh of Naperville trains for triathlons, which help him improve his lung function despite having cystic fibrosis, at Naper Carriage Hill Swim & Racquet Club. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
  Trisha and Chris Walsh of Naperville say their 12-year-old son Colin's participation in swimming and triathlons has helped increase his lung function despite the fact he has cystic fibrosis. He's taking on his next race Saturday in the Lifetime Kids Tri Chicago. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
  Running is Colin Walsh's least favorite part of a triathlon, but he'll run 2 kilometers Saturday as the final leg of the Lifetime Kids Tri Chicago. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
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