Looking Up!

Things have improved - the second procedure to resync my heart worked and I feel like ten bucks. This is the first time in ages I've felt this good. Gastric sleeve surgery is set for Sept 29th, and in preparation, I'm on a liquid diet. 5 shake a day, 60 grams of protein, and lot's of water for 3 weeks. Started on the 8th, so I'm over halfway into it. So far so good, no hunger problem, no cravings, in fact, I almost forget to drink it most of the time. But you can't live a normal life on 900 calories a day, so I'll go back on normal food gradually after the surgery. If things go as they should, I should be off of the diabetes medications shortly. Can't wait!

Broken - Again!

No, I haven't given up on the bike. Never. But, the cursed gods of cycling keep tormenting me in such a way that lesser men would throw in the towel. Lymes disease. Broken ribs. Diabetes.Kidney failure. Weird weight gain. Loss of motivation. No energy.

At long last the cause of the last three has reared it's ugly head. Atrial Fibrillation. Afib, for short. It took an ambulance ride from Urgent Care to discover it. Medication got it somewhat under control. An appointment with a cardiologist spelled out the facts. My heart has been working at approximately twenty eight percent efficiency. No wonder the wheels have come off the proverbial wagon. It's been like riding in wet cement. A two thousand calorie diet has resulted in weight gain due to the plethora of drugs I'm taking to stay kind of healthy.

The doc's plan of attack: This Thursday, I take a chemically induced stress test. Three hours of what may a well be water boarding type of torture. But the fun doesn't stop there, no way. July 1st, I get a TEE procedure. What is that, you say? Well, under a Micheal Jackson sized dose of Propofol, a echocardiogram devise is fed down to one's esophagus to get a better look at the heart. So far, so good. If all looks good, as in no blood clots, the said (my) heart will be stopped and then jump started, hopefully in the proper rhythm. Routine, according to the cardiac doctor. She claims 11 years without a problem. Has she seen my track record.

Funny thing is, all of this started the day after my consult with the bariatric surgeon who will eventually perform the gastric sleeve procedure on me. This event was supposed to occur July 9th, but is now scheduled for Sept 29, providing my heart cooperates and I don't expire by then. I haven't checked if Vegas has a line on that happening yet, but I'm sure they will. But I digress. You see, the gastric sleeve was supposed to help me drop 100 lbs., reverse the diabetes and it's associated complexities, get rid of the high blood pressure, and put the brakes on the sleep apnea. A side effect would be me going up hills at a decent rate of speed of my bike of choice, cut down on the food bills, let me buy a wardrobe from the normal size section, and generally let me fucking live again.

I that too much to ask, Cycling Gods? What did I do to make you treat me like Job these last few years? I vow you won't stop me this time, it's my turn to win!!

Jeff Crowe And I took a nice ride out to the end of Park Point and back last Sunday. Sure am glad we got it in before this nasty weather set in. This was the first time I have ridden from home in quite awhile. I just hate riding up 27th Ave West! But, I had to get over this and just do it. I not only had a good time, but lived to tell about it. Small steps....

Fall, Fall - That's All!

Nothing like some fall colors to get you out on the bike! This year has been fantastic to say the least.

What's Been Happening?

Well, new job promotion, home improvements, a new deck, but not much cycling. What started as a small deck expansion ended up being a major up grade, including a cover grilling station and bar. Now, the rains came. Has to be my fault. We also upgraded to a nice stainless counter depth refrigerator, a very quiet and super cleaning Bosch dishwasher, along with having the driveway blacktopped. Cycling was not neglected, getting a carbon seat post for the MTB, and a Fizik Alliate saddle for the road bike. Now that this stuff has been mostly done, I get to ride again!

Wow, we sure have had some great sun rises and sets lately. I get to see them almost every day going to and from work at my new job. The new job has kept me jumping, but at least it's commuting distance from home. If I had studded tires, I would be riding to and from work already, but the funds just haven't been there to invest in a set. This spring I will for sure, since the days are longer, I won't need a head lamp. Another thing to invest in, I guess.

Photo Redux

At the suggestion of Doug, I took the power lines out of the very long distance shot (for a compact camera) of Enger Tower. I like it!

Enger Tower Redux

Doodling with Photos

Since I haven't been able to do much physically lately, I've had a chance to play with some photo editing. Published some on Facebook, so I though I'd post some here.

A trail in the Piedmont system

Another

A nice climb 

Enger Tower from the rocks above Skyline Drive

Looking west from the same rock ledge

Fall in the woods

The broken ribs are starting to feel better so I should be able to get back on the bike soon. I can't wait!

A Good Ride Spoiled - ER/Silly Safari Edition

Yesterday started off with me planning a photo safari by bike. Back in the Canosia Wildlife Reserve was to be the location. Deer, bear, moose, coyote, wolf, or anything else that moved was to be my quarry. I packed my DSLR and lens' in my back pack, along with  food and extra clothes, and set out to capture some images in the forest. I've ridden the road/trail many times before, but not lately. Things have changed - the hills have had some furrow/berms cut across them, and about a half mile from the river I was trying, road stopped. It appears the area has  been logged in a most bizarre way. A quarter mile wide pile of logs, branches, and debris stops anyone from getting through. I tried walking though, but it was almost dangerous, what with all of the sharp sticks ready to go through one's foot. I'm glad I was wearing MTB shoes with a stiff sole!

Frustrated, I turn back to scout another route. About a quarter mile into the return route it happened. I was trying to carry some speed going up a long hill, I hit one of the berms. A split second later, I was on the ground, unable to breathe. Finally, I did manage to breathe (obviously) but very painfully. I got to my feet and surveyed to situation. Cameras, cell phone, bike, all intact. No skin loss. To cuts or bleeding. No real signs of impact, just pain along my left side, plus difficulty breathing. I tried to ride the rest of the way up the hill, but deep breathing was unbearable, so a slow hike-a-bike up the grades and more coasting down, along with soft pedaling on the flats.

I finally got back to the van, loaded up and headed up the Lavaque Road. A stop at my folks house to grab some Aleave and rest, the home. We ate dinner and later headed to the emergency room at St Luke's Hospital to see what was going on. The doctor examined me and called for a CT scan, as he suspected I had damaged my spleen. Results were negative on the spleen damage, but showed a broken rib and the others badly bruised. Treatment? Nothing but some Loritabs and rest. Stay off the bike for a while, take a deep breath to make sure pneumonia doesn't set in ( due to shallow breathing, pneumonia is common with rib injuries), and stop taking metforman for a few days due to it's interaction with the CT contrasting dye  - that can shut down your kidneys. That would be just what I would need!

Climbing to the sun.

Weird place to pile wood and boulders.

Looks like big kindling for a big fire!

All in all, a beautiful day to take in the fresh, fall air and perfect weather. The ribs will heal and it's just another lesson learned. What lesson? 29ers' can't roll over anything if you don't pay attention!

Piedmont on Foot

Piedmont trials on gorgeous fall day.

Lots of climbing.

Up and up.

Believe the signs!

Rock drop. Not for me at this time.

This ones not too bad. Thanks, COGGS!

Still some beautiful foliage.

I went for a ride this morning on the Piedmont trails to see what the more advanced areas were like. Tough, twisty, up and down, rocks, more rocks, roots, you name it, it's there. I was very cautious and still had a couple of biffs. If there's one thing Duluth has, it's variety of riding that's second to none. Varied terrain from one end of town to the other, beginner to advanced, no one is excluded. Today my lack of fitness really stood clear. I haven't been out much due to so many circumstances beyond my control, but things are kind of settling down. We'll see. The pics above are from this afternoon, when I went back and walked what I had previously ridden. I was right, this is tough terrain. I'm glad it's just up the hill from where I live. Nothing more humbling than riding over your head!

Running?

What are running shoes doing on this blog? Glad you asked. You see, many years ago, I was a runner, cyclist, and skier all at the same time. I was engaged to my first wife and was a fat slob, so, I got back to cycling. I lost some weight, but the pounds didn't really come off until I started running. Three days a week were for running, three for riding or skiing, and one for rest. Eighty-six pounds gone in six months was what that accomplished.

I've been thinking about why it hasn't been that easy to drop the extra pounds these days as compared to my younger years. Sure, age has something to do with it, along with the many physical problems I have encountered in the last few years. Fine. Recently though, I realized that I used to run quite a bit. And that I enjoyed running. And I lost weight quite quickly running in combination with biking. So, why haven't I been running? My left knee was trashed for years, but now feels almost new. That excuse is now out the window. Time to get going.

As you can see in the above pic, I stopped at the Duluth Running Company and got a pair of Brooks Cascadia trail running shoes. I'll start slowly and build up the mileage as the knee allows. Fall is my favorite time of year to run, and there are lots of trails to explore in this area, so here I go.

Back In Saddle

I finally got out for a ride yesterday, the first in a month. The first couple of miles were hard, but I soon settled into a rhythm and things fell into place. 14 miles in one hour and eight minutes was a pretty good effort for me on gravel roads. This was the same route I took on my last ride before the Lyme's Disease knocked me out, and it took 4 minutes longer that time. My thinking is that I was getting sick for a while before the rash showed up. I'm glad my weight stayed down for the last month and will continue to drop now that I can ride again. Time will tell. 

Impatiently Recovering

A couple of more days left on the Doxycycline and I should be good to go. I'm feeling much better, but still get fatigued easily. I've tried to ride this last week, but in a few blocks, my legs felt like cement. At least he nasty body aches and light-headedness are gone. It looks like my next door neighbor may have gotten Lyme's too. More and more people I've run into have had it or know someone who has contracted it in the last couple of years. Be careful out there...

A New Excuse

For the last 2 weeks, I've been felling rotten. At first, I thought it was the flu, what with the fevers, chills, sweats, no energy - classic flu symptoms. Then, it started to go away. Until yesterday, that is> I was going to head out for a mountain bike ride, but I could barely get the bike off the wall hanger in the garage. I went back in the house and laid down. Didn't feel to bad, just tired. Then the rashes started. Light red areas that itched like crazy. This afternoon, my back felt all itchy and puffed up. Linda took one look and we called my doctor. He told me to get to his office pronto, so off we went. He took one look and said what I had thought - Lyme's Disease. Caught in the early stages, I just have to take antibiotics for a couple of weeks. A friend didn't know she had Lyme's for 20 years. Now she is on pesticide therapy. Glad I acted quick!

Itchy!!!

Here's a study that proves what I have said all along. The more you exercise, the more the effect on blood sugar. Just getting back to a regular work out and ride schedule has helped me cut my insulin intake dramatically. And, for me, the longer the duration, the longer the effect lasts. In my humble opinion, the first thing doctors should prescribe to a new type 2 diabetes patient is exercise, and plenty of it. Lower the carbs, move your butt, and keep a positive outlook. Just what the doctor should have ordered, but the first thing seems to be pills. I guess there's no money in  prescribing diet and exercise, so this is what we get!

Not Quite So Fat!

This is the standard Body Mass Index chart that is used by most folks concerned with such thing. Doctors, nurses, diabetes educators, etc. all use it show where you fall in according to industry standards. 17-25 is considered healthy, 25-30, overweight, 30 to 35, obese, above 35, you better push away from the buffet and get some help.

At an appointment at the diabetes center a few weeks ago, the nurse/educator said she couldn't figure how I did what I did as far as exercise.
Her - Your BMI is 35.1, you should really lose some significant weight before doing such intense cycling efforts.

Me- I don't feel super obese, my heart rate monitor tells me when to cool it off a bit. I don't worry about it.

She - Let's use our new super-duper electronic BMI machine and see where you're really at.

Me - Cool.

Down the hall, into a different area of the center.

She- Step on this machine. Hold still while I hook up theses self stick pads and hook the leads to them

She - Hold your arm straight out.

The nurse hits the buttons, enters data, sends a current through me, and gets the reading.

She- This can't be right, let me do it again.

She- It reads the same. 29.3 Weird, can't be right. (implying I'm a certified fat bastard and somehow the machine can't figure it out.) We'll try another day.

Yesterday, Linda and I went and had our BMIs' check and protein levels evaluated. I'm up first for the BMI test. My weight was down 21 lbs. My BMI is at 28. The gal doing the test can't figure it out, either. She thinks her machine is also FUBAR. So, she tested Linda. Right on the money. She gets out the calipers and tape measure. She finds the machine is right! Now I only need to drop 58 more to be on low side of healthy. Piece of cake!

Fitness Flown

Just as the weight comes down, the fitness goes up, the fickled finger of fate gets you: the flu. Rode last Thursday, felt good, but a little lacking on power. This got worse as the ride progressed, so I cut it short and headed home. The blood sugar was OK, if not a bit high. Just an off day, or so I figured. The next morning, I had an Herbalife shake for breakfast, good to go, or so I figured. A couple of hours later, the sweating started. Then, I felt like I was in the deep freeze. Soon back to roasting with intermittent freezing, no energy, no appetite, cold sweats, hot sweats, weird dreams, no sleep. Sounds like drug addiction withdrawals, doesn't it? So, it's been the couch or bed with some fluid intake, but up until today, food was off the board. I think it will be gone tomorrow, with any luck. At least Versus has bike racing on every afternoon!

The Sky!

This sure has been a summer of dramatic sky's. I seems like every day we have some weather that presents great opportunities for fabulous photos. The lower shot was featured on the local television station's (KBJR) Saturday night news cast. Pays to always have a camera at hand. 

Great Hawk Chase (on the right day)

Niner Air 9 Carbon. I'd love to have one!

Here's some shots from Sunday's Great Hawk Chase. I had mentioned I was going out Saturday afternoon to check it out. Glad I didn't, because it rained hard. Then I checked the Website for the MSMBS and saw it was on Sunday.

Women's Expert winner, Sarah Kylander-Johnson

Women's 4th Overall, Kari Gate (517)

Men's 2nd Overall, Josh Tesch (one of my college instructors)

Ian Nancekevill's unique downhill style

Local favorite Charlie Farrow

Local endurance racer (and blogger) Tim Ek.

Great Hawk Chase

I think I will spend some time out at the Great Hawk Chase mountain bike race this afternoon. Get some pics and watch the top level riders on the single track to see how they tackle it. Could help my technique so I can get faster. Should be a good time.

Storm birds

The eye

Blue sky disappearing

Why these pictures? I just like them, snapped them during a recent storm. We may be in for more of this later today and tomorrow.