Going med-less today. Hello from City Brew and a sunny Missoula weekend day. I am walking and last night I rode the trainer for an hour. It was sure hard getting going. Ankle hurts but is getting more flexible and strong, head is clearing, little at a moment.
Time for a nap! Let’s ride, give me a call. 406 322 DIRT!
Went to the doc yesterday and the good news is that I can walk now and start to train to get back. Bad news is that I must stay off the roads until my brain heals (Concussion). Feeling better all ready this morning! Rest is the best recovery technique. Healing takes time. For headaches, acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Alieve is what I am suggested to use.
Random Thoughts
Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D., “Unfortunately, the muscle cells gain from miles and miles of cycling are quickly lost when you stop training. If for some reason you are unable to train for just one week, the muscle’s aerobic energy declines to 50 percent of its trained level
… Studies have shown that the number of capillaries around each muscle cell decreases by 10 to 20 percent between five to 12 days after the last training session… [more]”
MayoClinic.com, “Postconcussion syndrome, a poorly understood complication, causes concussion symptoms to last for weeks or months. People who have had a concussion also double their risk of developing epilepsy within the first five years after the injury.
There also is evidence that people who have had multiple concussions over the course of their lives suffer cumulative neurological damage. A link between concussions and the eventual development of Alzheimer’s disease also has been suggested… [more]”
The 2008 National Mountain Bike Series Finals have moved to Brian Head, Utah, after Tamarack Resort in Idaho had to bow out. Scheduled for August 30 to September 1, the Finals, sponsored by Trek VW, will feature Cross Country, Short Track, Dual Slalom, Downhill, Super D, and Marathon races. Participants can sign up online at mtbnationals.com. The originally planned Idaho race will now be the Idaho State Championship Finals. This shift is disappointing, disrupting this season’s plans, especially since I was eager for the marathon. It’s quite disheartening.
Ok! Enough sleep already. I can not stay awake but then you might say that rest is good right? Where was I … right, so I got home with the help of a great guy named Miles Key a local 5 Valley Velo rider.
so I got home and I posted a note on my web site that I needed help. the next day and since then I have had this huge headache so little has got done. but one thing is for sure I have a great family of friends because suddenly I was being visited and helped by so many people i am overwhelmed.
Since arriving home I have been doing contrast soaks and trying to eat correctly and work on regaining flexibility. I see a doctor on Thursday and will go from there. I am in the dark still. When will I get to ride again? When can I start training? How much fitness have I lost?
Thank you everyone. I better get some rest … have to work tomorrow.
Hello again after another power nap, still laying here in bed, still with a headache. I feel the need to blog another piece of the story before I pick up with insurance research that I began to do this morning (if that wasn’t enough to give me a headache).
So there I was at the Hospital and the doctor gave me the exciting news. It’s not broken … but that I still had one cut tendon (bad sprain), some contusions, and a concussion. Still dazed I tried to take notes. The doc said that for three days to put the foot up with 20 minute ice pack. I was to not even contemplate going anywhere or working. After three days I could stop elevating and slowly check for movement without bearing any load upon the ankle. If it was not any better to go see a doctor for a follow-up x-ray or MRI. Then for two weeks I can work and slowly regain movement without too much load bearing on the foot. Sounded simple enough.
So with a fresh prescription in hand for some federally regulated drugs I was driven sans back of Subaru to the races site which had moved to Belt for the road race portion of the day.
Jed wanted to keep an eye on me so I was given the chance to lay with my foot up in a wheel car for the junior race. I remember taking a few photos (seen on this blog) out of the make shift bed but mostly sitting there thinking of what just happened. Still it all was a little fuzzy.
After the race I sat at my car trying to figure out what I would do next. A couple friends came over to whish me luck and eventually someone (I really am trying to obtain names since I ant remember) volunteered to drive my beetle, Marcy, and myself back to Missoula. Whew! I was wondering how to get home. Jedzilla (the guy who found a volunteer) came through again. the guy is a saint.
So I was portaged back home and that is where I will leave off until the next time I feel rested. So until Part 3 of this saga, take care and ride for me!
Hello from Missoula Montana where my headache has awaken me and I feel that I must post a blog to let everyone know I am alright but my usual routine is not as usual. In this episode (Part 1) let me take you to Saturday.
I got up early to put slicks on my bike and to drive to Centerville Montana for the time trial portion of the Belt Road Race Omnium. I was hoping to be late so I could just do the road race because I had a cold and I didn’t feel well. After driving to Great Falls through some towns like Lincoln where it was only 28 degrees I found that I was in fact on time. I got all caught up and signed up for the time trail.
I got to catch up with some old friends from Team MuleTerra (did I get this right). I got to see everyone for the first time since cyclocross season as well. The time trail started and I prepared for my departure. I was able to snap off a few photos before I had to get in line to start. My start time was 10:15 and I opted for the mountain bike start (one foot down as opposed to someone holding my saddle).
I thundered out of the start line (sounds cool doesn’t it). I was ramping up my speed and feeling very strong. I was about a couple hundred feet from the start with my head down and my legs ripping the pedals faster and faster when all of a sudden I hit the ground with my head. Just like that!
I laid on my side unable to see anything or feel anything. I hit so hard that I was stunned and I knew that I was not going to just get up. Finally the daylight became visible and people came rushing to help me off the course. All I could do was lay there.
I felt someone put a blanket on me and I knew that I should not move at all because I was not aware if I broke anything. Slowly I started to feel my arms and legs. I started to slowly move each items and take inventory until I went to move my right leg.
My foot was swelling up quickly and I could feel it filling up my shoes. It did not feel right and I thought maybe it may be broke. Jed Dennison and some others helped me off the road and to my car where I had a chair to sit on. I was getting worried as my foot kept swelling. Someone got Ice and we bandaged it up. There was concern over my broken helmet so Jed insisted that I go to the hospital. I questioned if the ER would be covered by USA Cycling and an official told me that everything but an ambulance would be covered. I did not want the patty-wagon so thankfully Jed found a volunteer to take me to the ER.
So off the the hospital I went in the back of a Subaru. Once there I was taken in and given x-rays. The attending doctor was real nice and concerned about me. It was nice to get such great care. Once the x-rays were completed the doctor was happy to say that I did not break my ankle and we celebrated. Then he told me the bad news and how long I would be out of cycling.
Too be continued …. (when I am feeling better).
I am finally out the door and I am 40 minutes late due to severe cold symptoms. I will not miss out on summer after waiting a decade for it. I plan to do the race and then camp out somewhere. Take care and have a good weekend. Looks like I’ll miss the time trial … oh well … off to the races.
Last night was a huge turnout for the Thursday Night Mountain Bike Ride at Blue Mountain. I just posted my photos of the night and I am sure there will be more to come from others. There were 14 of us (according to the photo below) and at the end we held a raffle for a new Ritchey tire. Julie won the raffle as her ticket was pulled from Marcy’s dog dish.
When I arrived at the parking lot I was the first one there but was horrified to find out I forgot my water bottles. I rode down to Peak Fitness to get water. They did not have water bottles and sold me to bottled waters at $1.00 a piece. When I got back to the car there were riders galore.
We all headed out to do our classic Hayes point loop. Everyone stayed together and there were numerous opportunities to stop and chat. We did some family photos on top and made it back to the cars with the entire group intact about 2 hours later. The trails were I good shape given the spring that we have had.
I am going to Belt tomorrow for a road race and a camp out afterwards, anyone want to go? In the meantime … still coughing, wheezing, and aching!
Common Questions on Battling a Cold:
AHEM. HACK. WHEEZE. That, my friends, is the beautiful symphony currently playing on repeat in my chest. Last night, sleep became a distant dream thanks to a throat feeling like the Sahara after a sandstorm. Turns out, those “burning eyes” during the race (thanks for the helpful diagnosis, Davie, you comedian!) were actually a sneaky tree pollen ambush. Now, said ambush has morphed into a full-blown coughing fit that’s threatening to conquer my entire torso. Talk about taking “trail dust” to a whole new level.
The good news? Three glorious weeks before my next mountain bike race – plenty of time to kick this cough to the curb (and maybe invest in some pollen-proof goggles, thanks again, Davie). But before I turn into a human cough machine, this weekend’s offering a much-needed escape: the Belt and a camping trip to Kings Hill. Anyone down for some fresh air (hopefully not pollen-filled) and good company? Hit me up, dirt lovers! My number’s (406) 322-DIRT – just be prepared to dodge a few rogue coughs when you call.
Notes:
As of May 24th my phone will be disconnected. You can leave a messages at (406)322 DIRT(3478). Sorry not a local number but its free for me. Please update your address books! Don’t be alarmed by the sexy default answer voice … I like her so I did not record mine.
Still unpacking here in Missoula Montana and it seems like spring has arrived while I was away. I went hiking with my dog Marcy last night with out a winter hat. Just got back the the Coyote Classic AMBC in Boise Idaho and I am happy to report that I snagged the win overall in the expert class. I put in for a license upgrade yesterday but have not heard any news on that front.
Read the Montana Cyclocross coyote report. There are some great shots of John Curry and Joe Chalmers.
Taking a look back some highlights of the eventful weekend stand out. Friday I went out for a training ride and when I got home I had some packing to do. I finally was ready to go around 1:30 in the morning. I had to stay up and pack because I was going with friends that wanted to get an early start.
So we took off from Lolo at 6ish and arrived at the race site around noon time. I was able to get in an hour of riding while my friends scouted out a great little camping spot. That night we explored the cattle trails and played cards.
The next day was a mixture of sun overdose and cool breezes. I started off strong in my race and after watching the Pros take off I was glad to be in a more relaxed group. A couple guys followed my lead but half way up the initial climb I started dropping all of them. Soon I was catching the younger experts that started off in an earlier wave.
I caught up to a fellow Missoulite Joe Chalmers who was battling at the front of his group. He would eventually win out and take the win in the 30+ crowd. He was looking strong and I had a tough time catching up to him. I said hello and set off to see if I could catch the pro field where John Curry was racing.
Soon I found John at the trail side fixing a flat. I was bummed and after passing him I settled down to just ride with the pro guys. I figured they would keep me out in front of my pack and out of harm of being passed. I raced the rest of the race with a pro that was wearing a jersey that looked an awful lot like the local Team Stampede kits (orange and blackish). That guy challenged me and I went pretty fast to the end.
In the end I won but I was not the only Missoula racer. Along with Joe and his win was R. Brown who came in mid pack sport and his daughter who won her beginner race. John Curry did not get to finish (bummer) and his wife Lisa decided to take the scenic route but still grabbed second place in Expert. Nice work everyone! I think everyone would agree that Idaho has the best race courses and this one did not disappoint. I found myself shouting out joyful expressions as I swerved through the great single-track. I cant wait till next year.
is anyone going to Great Falls to the race this weekend? Give me a ring at 406 322 DIRT!
Hi, My wife Lucy and I are UM graduate school alums who live in northern NY and have spent many past summers teaching for the summer UM Upward Bound Program. Most summers we managed to sublet from either someone in family housing or related to the college but off campus. This summer we will not be working on campus but if we can find affordable housing we would still like to spend 2 to 4 weeks in Missoula simply to live life at a slower pace and to share with our 8 year old son another part of the world that is special to us. I would also like to spend some of the time connecting with people there to help develop a local web project called http://www.LocalSustainability.Com .
I apologize for cluttering your “inbox” but most summers the people who were most helpful, in helping make the connection between us and someone who wanted to save some money and have their place cared for while away, were various staff and faculty on campus. We are exceptionally responsible people with many good past references. We don
It is suggested that I am sandbagging the expert class. How do you sandbag the expert class at age 42? Anyway to be fair (and so I can sleep) I submitted a request for upgrade this morning. Let’s see what the regional official thinks. Cant a guy just enjoy a great effort in peace?
It is 1:30 AM and I am finally packed and ready to go to Boise at 5 AM this morning. Why do we leave so early? I don’t know, my friends have weird quirks and one of them is being proud to get up before anyone else. Well I will tell you what buddy, I will get up before you and be ready before you are. Why are we going so early? I still don’t know. Freak!
I went on a great training ride tonight up Miller Creek. The sun was out and the dirt roads were fab. My knee is still hurting but it may pull through. So good night and fare well. Tomorrow is the Coyote Classic Weekend 2008. I have already started a video blog.
Boneshakerbike 
