New Horizons

So our youngest boy, Joey is taking a "different" path to his interests than just the sports related activities we've, UM "guided" them into.

 As you can tell by his hair, he as an artistic bend to him. It was kind'a cool seeing him rock'in out with his 'band'.

Busy Summer

Too busy of a summer to blog. Sorry. Here's a catch up....

 

 

 

 

Blowing in the 4th

First backpack trip

Chill'n at camp

Chess camp

Cabin wedding (Cam and Jonna)

Soccer

More soccer- Maybe too much soccer- 8 tournaments !

Music Boot Camp

Beach volleyball/rugby play'in

Play'in

More Play'in

Fish'n

School Board work

Suprascapular nerve release surgery. (still waiting to see if better)

Rid'n with the Summit High School MTB team

Even a bit of racing

Tour de Cure 2012

Dot got a new job last month and her company was sponsoring the Tour de Cure for diabetes. So we decided to do the ride as a family. Thanks to a wonderful out-pouring of support from family and friends, as a family, we were able to raise over $1200. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

The family at the family camp getting ready for our rides.

Our big Champs Joey and Jonny.

 The boys each did 25 miles- Jonny in 2 hours and Joey and I in 2.5. The best thing about this was there was not ONE complaint- despite some serious wind.

Wifey looking good at about 96 miles- imagine how she looked at mile one!

Obligatory " Nice ride Honey" picture

We all had a great time as a family which was probably the best part of the whole trip. We are looking to do more. Stay tuned: donors.

Mesa Verde or Not?

I just found out my boy's second degree black belt test is scheduled for the same weekend as Mesa Verde. Uuuugh! What should I do?

Here's the conversation I had with him while I was driving him to practice. I had already thought it wouldn't be fair asking him, but I wanted to see what he would say.

I said, "So Jonny, I just found out your black belt test is scheduled the same weekend as my Mesa Verde bike race" And I thought: Which I've been wanting to do for several years and this is the first time I am able to do it.

I said guiltily, "So I was wondering do you need me there for your test?"

He said, "Need? No...."   He probably thought: Here we go again, he is going to bail on this great lifetime accomplishment of mine for a stupid race he wont even come close to winning.

I thought: Ouch! He is trying to sound tough to show me he doesn't NEED me there but probably wants me to be there.

I think: Even asking this next question is wrong.
But the weak me persists, "Do you think I should go to the race or stay for your test?"

He says, "You should go to your race"

I nearly cried.

True Grit- Take Two

Well I am going to try it again. Last year if you'll recall the first attempt at True Grit was not good for anyone. Can you say HYPO-THER-MIA? So now the weather seems better- but still calling for rain- and the forecasters suck anyway. But this year this race was questionable anyway considering my weak shoulder. Luckily biking doesn't entail TOO much shoulder strength ( I hope) and my strength has improved some. BUT I need to try. Even if I don't do so great I need to feel that I can still do something physical and at least pretend to compete. I HAVE to get out there. I guess we'll see what happens. Track me here: http://www.endomondo.com/event/3999426 if you are interested in seeing the race live.

Deja Vue

UPDATE Sept, 2012: Despite the ugly MRI, it looks like the damage is due to a suprascapular nerve impingement. I had it released about 6 weeks ago. The strength is just now slowly coming back. I am at about 50% on my lifting. I am back to boxing and training. Unfortunately, now knowing what my neck looks like I am hesitant to fight. We'll see.

In 2010 around this time I had some bad medical news. I messed up my right shoulder and couldn't make it for the first ICUP race. Well guess what? The first ICUP race is tomorrow in St George AND I am not going to be there. I have another medical problem- on the other side!

Here's the story-

We were down in Mexico last week- It was great by the way and I wish I would be blogging about that trip instead of this. Jonny and I had a great day of beach volleyball and all was well- until I headed to bed. All night, I had severe pain in my left shoulder keeping me from sleeping. I awoke with left shoulder weakness. I couldn't lift a half gallon of milk over my head. I've been having trouble with my left shoulder since I dislocated it 18 years ago (although this was the strongest it's ever been) so I thought maybe I tore my rotator cuff muscles. I wish.

This week I had MRI's of the shoulder which showed no tear and then of my neck. "CRAP!" says the radiologist as we sit down to read them together. My heart sank when I saw this.

I have disc herniation at several levels and its likely pushing on one of the nerves going to my shoulder thereby the pain, weakness and numbness. That was 10 days ago. I went to a non surgically oriented orthopedist so as not to influence a recommendation for surgery. He saw the MRI, looked at me and said, "On the outside you look like your 30 but your skeleton looks like it's 60" - Thanks doc. I think he was being generous on both ends.

Funny. The first thing that went across my mind was, "There goes your MMA career" No Duh! As if I ever had one!

So right now I am just waiting. Waiting to see if this goes away- not yet. Waiting to see how I can (must) tone down my activities. Waiting to see how I am going handle this psychologically. Waiting to see.....

We'll see.

Good Luck to all the Desert Rampagers tomorrow!

The Gym

This weekend I went biking in St George during Camp Linda (a loose gathering of MTB -fun- fanatics going on long rides everyday) It was great! I did over 90 miles of riding and felt pretty good considering I really haven't ridden since the last time I was down there (three weeks).

Interestingly, however, I kept catching myself thinking about how the biking was a good RECOVERY WEEKEND- from training in the gym- that is. As a matter of fact these two seemingly disparate sports activities mesh rather well together. I get really burned out in the shoulders and core during boxing and MMA training. I've also been doing a lot of Cross-fit workouts before the morning training sessions which work the quads a good deal. So by the end of the week my body just says "recover!". And biking works out well at that point. It is good cardio conditioning and changes the leg work out away from squats, running and jumping.

Here's a few pics of the gym for those who haven't been.

It's pretty new, nicely lit up and very functional

I love the boxing bags! You can really take out a lot of energy on'em!

The tires are a bitch when coach puts them in the cardio workout

Maybe someday......

THANK YOU MAD DOG RACE TEAM!

Thank You Mad Dog Race Team for a great 7 years! I was taken in as a very green beginner, and patiently nurtured by so many of you along the way. I have learned so much from so many of you. You became my trusting biking family I could depend on for support and for a push to work harder. But also for a hand up from my falls- which there were many. Along the way I developed incredible memories that will endure into senility (who knows maybe its already here).  A special thanks goes out to Keith, without whom there would not be a Mad Dog Race Team.

But at this time I must part ways with the team. And I hope it is only the team I leave and not the individuals I have made friends with. I have come to a fork in the road of mid life and changes seem necessary. For one, my fitness and mental focus has transitioned to MMA training. Where it will take me I have no idea, but with limited recreational time, biking has unfortunately taken a bit of a back seat. With that limited time my ride time will need to be closer to home. Therefore, to find riders nearby I have chosen to sign up with Team Revolution. Remember, I am only leaving the team NOT the individual members. I hope to ride with you all again soon.

Best wishes for another winning year to all!

Confession

When does a biker fall from the grace of bikers? I have a confession that I am afraid to make here. I've been hiding this information since the 24 hours of Moab. I am just not sure how to even begin. I don't want to lose the friends I've made in the biking world. But, to be fair to everyone and myself I have to come out. Here goes...

I have not ridden my bike since the last post on Thanksgiving. AND to make matters worse I signed up at a gym- to train- in mixed martial arts combat! I've been hitting people- like hard! And I think I enjoy it!
But I can't help it. I've gotten into it so much that I am doing twice a day work outs until I can't even move the next day and have to take a break. What is happening to me? I am sooo ashamed.

Am I worthy of being called a biker -even though I am probably the only one that calls me that?

Will I ever be accepted into the circle again? Can I face them without wondering what the real bikers are thinking of me? Feeling sorry for me? Or even AFRAID of me? Are they thinking of ways to convert me back (not that I am quitting biking)?

But as I write this at least I feel cleansed. I have been honest with everyone and myself. Maybe I will be accepted for who I am.

Who am I?

Maybe I'll find out this weekend. I am heading down again to St G. Just to ride- no fighting. 

Thankgiving in Sunny St George

Here are some pics from our trip down to St G for TG. The weather couldn't have been better.

What a find! Anasazi trail system in Ivins

The trails were pretty easy so the whole family went. The petroglyphs were amazing! 

It was good to go riding with the family. Dot and I even got away for a couple hours to do the Stucki, Rim Rock, Race course.

Making a Difference

 

15 years ago I met my little brother, Joe. He was 10, having anger issues and his father was out of the picture. We met regularly and had some good times, like- going fishing, hiking, 4 wheeling and just doing stuff. We did this for about 5 years until he moved out of state. The last I heard he was partying a lot, had an accident, lost his drivers license and just was not doing well. I had always wondered if what we did those 5 years, the time I spent with him, ever made a difference. Did anything I said or exemplified help this kid?

Well he came back to town this week and called me up. We went out for dinner and went to my 11 year old kid's soccer game (how time flies). At age 25 he says he has stopped partying, has had a steady job and girlfriend (and NO children out of wedlock!). He has dreams of saving for and opening up his own business.

So I asked him if the times we spent together when he was young ever made a difference to him. He said, "You were the only one in my life that accomplished anything or had anything. You were the one that showed me that I can do something if I work hard at it." He says his favorite thing to do when not working is going up in the mountains hiking and 4 wheeling.

I guess it was worth it :)

Sometime it may take a while but caring makes a difference.

Try it.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Finally! I've had to hike across Suncrest too many times over the last month waiting for them to open up the tunnel section to get to the sweet ride on the other side. And now it's done! I think Anne's is now my favorite ride in Draper. Riding it up to the top of Corner Canyon has a great grade that you can stand up and pound a  good pace. It is long and a great sustained work out. But now I can cross to the other side and climb her the other way but at the same grade. So far that section hasn't been discovered by too many, so the I can open it up on the return. Draper does it yet again. 


And MORE!

Draper has opened up parts of a pump track and downhill course! This little pump track was a bit much for the long wheel base of the Arantix, though. I wonder if they'll make one to fit a 29'r?

What's wrong with these pics?

Just think how fast my lap would have been if I wouldn't have posed! Just kidding- this was a pre-ride lap

I'm walking! And I'm smiling! Wrong!

This was Nose Dive Hill. I've never seen anyone ride it, although heard of it.

24 Hours of Moab - Take 8

Keith, the man, the leader, the guy who made up the winning team

It took me 8 years of racing the 24 Hours of Moab to get on a team that was able to take a first place finish! Due to a multitude of factors going our way, we were able to take a solid first and 4th overall. It is a good thing that it all came together because there was a lot of grumbling that this may be the last 24 hours of Moab. It's truly said since this has been a tradition for the team as well as myself. I looked back at the results for my 8 races starting in 2002 at the young age of 36. Looking at my first lap times I started out rough in the 1:20's (before I joined Mad Dog). Then in 2005 my times were not much better but the guys let me stay on the team. By 2006 I was feeling good but it was the rain year and I couldn't tell much about how I did. Then in 2007 I hit 1:14's and plateaued there until last year when I hit 1:13 and this year I reached 1:12.32.

The LaSal's were nicely covered with snow

Really, for the first time, this year I felt comfortable with the course. I didn't have the "pucker" factor on the technical stuff that I have had in the past. That can be good or bad. I pre-road the course Friday, with Jen our wonderful Chef, and I realized it was a very pleasant course- when you are not busting your butt.

Jen way up ahead of me- "putting it down"- a deceivingly pleasant ride

For the second year I didn't have to "run". I slyly suggested the race rotation should go by age and the guys bought it! Reed took the run and kicked butt getting back and then Tim took off and did not disappoint. Carson was to be next but he was still hacking up a storm from a recent cold (the same one that prevented us from doing Frog Hollow last weekend) so we left him for last. As it turned out he put down a 1:09 on his lap so we should have left him in third. Keith, however, went third and ended up setting down a respectable 1:13:04! That laid down a big challenge for me. I did not want to let the team down and I was really worried I'd be "the weak link". So with some nervous energy I headed off. Luckily I was able to find a few challenges from racers on the course that helped push me and I put down a 1:12:32. That's the best time I've ever had in all those years of racing. I have to admit that the course conditions were probably the best I've ever seen as well.

"Small" but cozy camp

After that I was able to relax and enjoy the team and the venue. The Mad Dog turnout was smaller but more intimate, plus being on a 5 man team that extra hour seemed like we had all day to get ready for the next lap.

We had time to "kick back" and enjoy the time with family

and friends

Our man, Chris, Coming in FIRST on the first lap!

Then came the night laps. Until then we were 6th overall but within seconds of 5th and 4th. This is where our experience shined. Our night lap times only increased by a few minutes from the day ones but the other teams' gaps were greater and we quickly pulled to 4th over all and 1st in our class. After that is was just a matter of avoiding mechanicals.

Finally- 1st

And when the dust settled by noon on Sunday, the best thing was, that every team Mad Dog sponsored took first! Brad, Dwight, Craig and Bill took the Grand Master (and 37th overall) and Chris, Josh, Matt and KC took Pro Am/Coed (and 2nd overall!). How cool is that?

I have a lot more pics that will be posted on the team site- as soon as Carson gets me the password.

Night Ride

If you haven't tried night mountain bike riding, your missing out

The 6 hours of Frogs Hollow was derailed for this weekend- Buddy issues. So I joined some good old boys for an early morning (5:30a) night ride up at Park City today. It was a VERY pleasant 2 hour ride up Glen Wild, 24-7, Flying Dog etc. I haven't been on this trail system before so it was exceptionally "interesting" doing it in the dark.

I've got one last ride tomorrow before recovery starts for 24 hours of Moab. I'm looking forward to it even more- having missed this weekend.

Bike vs Dog- Again!

This helmet probably saved her life.

This is getting ridiculous! I just finished with a poor gal who hit a dog that chased her, wrecked, and sustained a seizure, concussion and broken elbow. This is the third case this year just in our ER of severe injury to bicyclist vs dogs. And last year one of our docs had multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung from hitting a dog. This is more than we have seen from bicyclist being hit by cars!

My question is, can the negligent dog owners be responsible? None of these cases have resulted in any attempts to hold the dog owners responsible despite very large bills and lack of insurance in some cases. Is there a law that can hold the owners liable? If so, why don't we enforce it? If not, when will the biking community stand up to enact some protection or even awareness of this issue? All bikers have some bad experience with dogs. When will there be a movement to control this problem? Does someone have to die first?

Bugs

What do you tell a patient who swears she has bugs and worms crawling under her skin for 4 weeks, brings in hydrogen peroxide mouth washings to prove it-showing nothing AND swears she is not crazy but makes all of my ER staff itchy all over?

Wonder Woman Dot

That's NOT me next to Dot!

She's back! Today Dot rode 100 miles! That's big in and of itself, but for those who know her medical history this is awesome! Physically, Dot has recovered from her garden hose surgery a long time ago and I would say actually has become stronger. BUT, the theory was that competitive biking was the contributor to the clot, so mentally, she had been fearful of returning to competitive riding. So when I forwarded her the information on the Wonder Woman ride in Utah County, I was surprised when she decided to do it.

While officially it wasn't a race, she rode hard and strong. She finished well despite not having anyone to draft with (I guess Wonder Women don't draft since she tried a couple of times and freaked the ladies out).

I'm pretty excited she did it. Who knows what's next?

During that 6 hours the boys and I headed down to Lambert park and rode Spring and Rodeo and then headed to Utah Lake to try our luck at fishing.

The most we caught was this pizza

I think we need some tips about how to fish this lake.

Don't anyone make a comment about his hair. He gets too much positive feedback about it, as it is.