And Thus it Begins

This Saturday, Oct 16th, we start our long awaited ride from San Francisco to San Diego.  The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) this year has exceeded it's own expectations with 150 people taking on the 620 mile course.  To date the Million Dollar Challenge 2010 has raised over $1.25M a new record for this event.

When you take into consideration that the goal was 100 people each raising or donating $10K you remember that this is more than a ride...it's challenge to those who dare to achieve new heights in one or many areas of their lives.  Cycling, fund raising, diet, training, work schedule, family, time off at work, etc are just some things that come to mind.  When a participant signed up for this program they immediately changed the course of their life.

This event is, by design, to bring greater awareness about disable people who want to participate in those sporting events that a fully abled person can do without thought.  In the US we have come to recognize the daily adversity that a disabled person is faced with.  We have handicapped parking, special bathrooms and ensure that there isn't discrimination in the work place for those who are consider disabled.  But unfortunately insurance doesn't see sporting events or even exercise as an essential part of day to day living.  We have yet to realize that a plastic leg isn't going to allow a person to run or even walk a marathon.  This is why CAF was started. 

Don't even let me get started with regards to other countries in the world who discard people with disabilities.  When you hear some of the stories, from CAF athletes, you are reminded that we are very fortunate to live in the United States.  CAF helps as many as they can with no regard to nationality, disability or country of origin. 

Jim MacLaren was the first person to receive a grant from CAF.  Some very dedicated friends got together in order to help this spirited individual.  Unfortunately Jim passed this year.  He will definitely be in the hearts and memories of us all as we ride down the coast.

This is my 3rd year with CAF and I feel very privilege to be a part of something that is touching people all over the world.  As a Ride Leader nothing brings me greater joy than seeing people who haven't ridden more than 20 miles at the start of our training come to this point ready to ride over 620 miles in 7 consecutive days.  The fear and trepidation is gone replaced with confidence and skills.  The many miles of training have written into their body, mind and spirit a message that he/she is ready.

But in this group of 150 will also be a small segment of the individuals that is our purpose.  When I ride along side Fred Liebel or David Lee I can't help smile and be proud.  In them I find my inspiration.  They give as much or more in just being who they are and showing the world that it's not a disability, just a different way to live.

Ending of the Beginning

This morning I got up at 4:45 AM to be at the XX1090 radio station by 6:00 AM.  I was excited and actually woke up at 4:30 AM.  My dogs, Butternut and Zeke, could tell there was something going on.  They were hoping it was time to go to the park.

It was dark as I drove down Mira Mesa Blvd and I was recalling two years ago when I was heading to the station for the final announcement.  Those same nervous butterflies started to fly around in my stomach but I had to smile because I knew they weren't for me.

Just before getting there Adam Beck, last years winner, called to see if I was on my way.  He was expecting the last radio contestants, Chris Glossner and Mark Estrada, to be there already. I told him I was only a few minutes away.

As we stood outside by the back door again we looked around wondering where the two contestants where.  Finally at 6:10 AM, Adam called in to John Pratt.  To our surprise Chris and Mark were inside already.

We were escorted to the office to wait for a minute.  Chris was there with his two girls and Mark was dressed up with a XX1090 cape and CAF jacket.  Nice touch.

We went into the radio station area where Scott and BR were broadcasting.  Few pictures, some handshakes and hugs.  Then they hit the radio.  Mark was first up and then Chris.  I could tell they were nervous.  When you think you're talking to thousands of people, it kind of makes you step on your words.

After a few questions and some comments the survivor song came on and then...the announcement.  Scott had an envelope that he passed to BR to open.  BR then passed it back for Scott to announce.  Chris was the winner. 

Since Chris had raised over $10K he decided to give it to Mark so he could do the ride.  Fantastic.  Nicely played and it showed great sportsmanship.

Each year it's a different contest. New people, different stories but the end result is the same...raise awareness of CAF.  Adam did a huge amount of work to ensure the contestants had the info they need.  He also put heat and soul into this years contest.

CAF, an organization that has only been around 16 years, has made huge strides around the world and touched thousands of people.  I'm proud to be associated with them and will always remember my experience from 2008.  It shapes another part of my life.

Hot Day in the East...

Today was my first day back to the CAF (Challenged Athletes Foundation) group ride which is held almost every Sunday.  I've been doing rides during the week but they have been around 1 to 2 hours long since my second knee operation a few weeks ago.  Today's route was supposed to be 77 miles with 2700 feet of climbing.  Unfortunately I was not in my best condition to be out on a day when the heat so high and a long day in the saddle.

Before we got on the road this morning we had the all important XX1090 Scott and BR Radio Immunity Contest to take care of.  We are down to 7 people at this point.  Today's immunity contest was spin the bottles.  Check it out.  Adam Beck, last years winner, fantastic bike rider and all around great person, put together a really cool device for our challenge this morning.  We spread the group out around the bottle spinner and then, spun the bottle.  Each person it stopped on was eliminated.  The winner was Keith Jensen.  But wait, there's more.  Keith then had to give immunity away.  We had him hold off on telling us until announcements with the rest of the group.

After we gathered all the riders together and talked about the importance of drinking today because it was going to be so darn hot, we had a chance to talk about the contest.  Adam did a great job again of telling everyone where we were at with things.  Finally we asked Keith to tell us who he had select and it was Danielle Weickgenant (why-can-not).  And of course she now has the immunity helmet to decorate.  Chris Glossner has had it for several weeks and this week took out the stops.  I and the entire group was really impressed.  The game is really on now.

OK, back to my story.  So our first SAG (Support and Gear) stop was at mile 26.  I was feeling pretty good there.  I had almost completely emptied my waterbottles so I refilled, hit the bathroom and took in some salty snacks.  Up to this point it had been pretty flat.  We then hit the hills and that is when I noticed I had little to no power on the longer climbs.  My endurance was there but...I was starting to loose touch with the group.  We had a mid point 39 mile stop for water and I filled up again a bottle and half.  Then on the last hill up to SAG at mile 52 I realized I was dying.  I pulled in well over 3 or more minutes behind the last person in my group and immediately went to the shade.  Yep, I knew it was time for me to call it a day and was taken back to the start in Vikki's truck.  It happens and I'm not too unhappy with myself.  My body just wasn't ready yet for that type of a ride.  It just feels bad when you're suppose to be the Ride Leader but thank God we had Mike, Mike, Jack and Adam still in our group to support.

We had our event this week for a few of the Ride Leaders; myself, John Welch, Adam Beck, Todd Northup, and Pat Jack.  We raised over $4600 which was right in line with our goals.  Excellent turnout of people, well over 75.  I think the owner of Toast Martin Gonzalez was pleased with the showing.

Next week, 95 miles and I will be ready.  Mileage this weeks needs to come up along with intensity and climbing. 

XX1090 Radio Contest is in full swing.  Eliminations started a few weeks back when the group was taken from 30 down to 15.  Last week the challenge was to see who could get the most votes on the radio site.  The top person(s) would have immunity and the bottom would be bumped.  Tom La Fever was the first to go.  The winner(s) was Jesse Martinez and Jesse Mindlin coming in tied.  Jesse Martinez was out for the day on Saturday so Jesse Mindlin was left with the immunity helmet and charged with decorating it.  Here is a picture of last years end result immunity pump.    As you can see over time it turned into something pretty spectacular.

Unfortunately I was out last week with a small knee operation.  When I had knee replacement in Feb of this year the realignment of the new knee pushed a few things around.  For the last 10 years there has been a piece sitting behind my knee.  It was a broken piece of bone or cartilage that has grown some over time.  With the new knee it pushed it over onto a nerve that runs down my leg to my ankle causing it to go numb sometimes.  Had to get it out.  The process at Scripps was fast.  I was in on Friday for an hour operation, stayed over night and was out the next day by noon.  Doc Copp said it was the size of half a golf ball.  I could have walked out but protocol calls for a wheel chair.  I start spinning today with plans to hit the road by this weekend and out with the group riding the following week.

Our Toast to CAF fund raising event is just around the corner, Aug 17th.  It's at a place called Toast and the whole concept is around wine.  If you like to try different wines, this is the place to tickle those taste buds.  You get a card with your entry, $30, that allows you to sample different wines by the ounce at kiosks.  Also included is food.  There will be a killer silent auction.  Items are still coming in but a quick look at some of the items are: hotel stays, cycling apparel, golf clubs and tea times at Torrey Pines, spa treatment, jewelery, electronics, iPod, bundt cake.  Lots and lots more.  Tickets can be bought via the web page link.

We're deep into our training.  This is a rest or down week and opportunity for the participants to recover from the hard weeks of riding.  It's supper important that after hard efforts the body recovers and build to become stronger.  This is a simple and yet powerful concept.  

I'm looking forward to getting back out there on the bike with the group.  I get a lot out of the energy these people bring each week and it's a challenge for me as well.  I'm recovering but still need to be a Ride Leader providing guidance. Enough laying around. 

Winning the XX1090 Contest

This is my 3rd year working with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and looking back at what happened to me in 2008 I can't help but smile.  Winning the XX090 Radio Contest was an experience I wouldn't give up for anything.  I grew as a person so much from that.  It was a challenge of balance with work, family, and another organization I committed to Trek Century Training Program.  In the end it made me a better person in all aspects of my life.  I started blogging and writing about my experience, secured new sponsors for CAF, raised awareness of CAF with friends, family and co-workers, and made Presidents Club at my company with the highest sales for the year. 

I'm often asked, "...how did you win that contest".  To tell you the truth I'm not sure really but I do know it wasn't just one thing.  There are no real rules and the judges are unknown.  How do you play a game when you don't have a rule book?

Jim Carbaugh was the previous years winner and on the first ride I had an opportunity to meet him.  As we rode up the coast we chatted about his experience from the previous year.  I could tell that he and I had a kindred spirit in that it's not about winning as much as putting your heart and soul into what is in front of you.  He had experienced a huge loss in his life, his wife and son prior to the contest.  He came to that event with something missing and yet he filled it with passion for CAF.

A week later I decided I was going on that ride so in reality the contest didn't matter anymore with regard to the trip.  However, it was still a part of something I had committed to and I would stand out.  Once I commit I take it all the way to the end.

I started to use the skills I had like teaching others how to ride and using that in the group rides each week.  If someone had a flat, I was the first person to stop and start helping.  If someone fell off the back and needed a draft, I pulled myself out of the paceline and went back to assist.  Last year it went beyond that.  Joe Weickgenant stopped for a stranded lady with a flat tire on her car.  That was impressive.

For fund raising I found another radio contestant, Todd Northup, who also wanted to go on the ride.  Neither of us knew if we would win the contest.  Todd made it to 10 people but, it didn't matter. We put our ideas together and came up with a Sushi Roll Your Own event and Silent Auction.  We raised enough for both of us to go from that event and our other efforts such as letter writing.  Here's a picture of us with a surfboard we had made with CAF, QMDC and Scott and BR Logo. 

So when I won the contest I was able to be confident in the things I did that justified my going.  I helped others during the training but also in my efforts of raising funds for CAF.  I never want a free ride in life.  I want to make sure I'm putting every ounce of effort I have into the job at hand even if I don't know the rules or how it works.  If I help enough people get what they want in life there's usually enough left over for me to see some happiness as well.

Training Increases

This past weekend I was back to Saturday and Sunday rides.  Monday was my energy level was down but today feeling energized again.  Getting old but still cranking.

Saturday was  time with Trek and the new Century Training program which will culminate with the Tour de Poway in Oct.  Bruce Milikin and his side kick, Darryl MacKenzie, where out completing a double century up in LA called the Grand Tour this past weekend.  Bruce is running the Trek program and asked me to step in to help get things rolling on their second Trek ride while he was completing a mile stone in his life.  Bruce is a Leukemia survivor, a wonderful friend and a great USCF Coach.  He has brought all kinds of new ideas Trek training program. 

There was a lot of new people at the Trek ride this past Saturday.  I think I counted 35 new registrations.  I saw an old friend of mine from an early Leukemia and Lymphoma Society cycling program Ron Monts.  He was out riding with his brother who had recently recovering from a heart attack.  It was good to see Ron again after all these years.  I think the last time I saw him was over 10 years ago.  We had a chance to chat some on our ride down the coast and back.  Quick 30 mile ride.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation ride on Sunday was almost a replay of the day before but in the opposite direction up the coast to the other side of Camp Pendleton.  A bit more distance as well, over 50 some miles. 

Todd Northup was a guest Ride Leader in our group, Group 3.  He normally will be in Group 2.  Always a great guy to have along.  I can never thank CAF and XX1090 enough for the friends I found in 2008.  Todd and I met in that program and soon found kindred spirits with cycling and life. We both worked extremely hard on our event for that Radio Contest and gained a great deal of knowledge about each other in that process.  I refer to him as MVBMF(My Very Best Man Friend) but I'm not sure I should be putting that out in a public blog.  Oh, what the hell.  He won't mind.

Next week elimination starts for the Radio Contestants in the XX1090 contest.  We currently have 30 but after July 7th there will be 15.  First cuts are hard but they just get harder after that.

Looking for Inspiration?

I think we all wonder around in life with our day to day activities and don't realize how blessed we are.  I know I get up in the morning, eat my breakfast, let the dogs out, check my email to see if someone is offering me a job, and continue on to the next task grumbling at times and frustrated.  What I don't do often enough is be thankful for the things I have that are here right now in my little world.

Recently someone sent me this link to a YouTube video for Nick Vujicic who's pictured on the right.  Just click on his name and you'll be taken to the video.  Wow, doesn't that just blow you away.  Look at the energy oozing from him.  And the things he can do.  Again, WOW.

Here's another one.  Ezra Frech is just 4 years old.  Now you might ask what can a 4 year old teach me about life.  Watch his YouTube video and then tell me what you think.  What challenges do you have today that's bigger than his?  Can you pick yourself up after being knocked down, smile back at the world and turn it into a positive?

I'm trying to take a moment in my life each day to turn around and look at what I have.  I'm healthy, I've been married to a wonder woman for 24 years, I have a roof over my head, two fantastic dogs and all my faculties  (I think).  I certainly don't have anything to complain about.

Those days when I'm frustrated because I'm still looking for employment I'm going to remember to bring up these videos and see that life isn't that bad.  Videos like these are designed to draw inspiration from and we should use them to help keep us focused.

I've also found that if I reach out and help others I tend not to fall back into a world of self pity or as my mom used to refer to it, ".. navel gazing".  That's where you sit in your room and have a pity party with yourself saying why me, why me while you stare at your belly button.  So I spend my weekends helping others train for events with the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Trek.  There's something empowering about that sense of accomplishment when I've had a group finish a long bicycle ride or helped them learned a new skill.  Just that smile on their face is enough.

So from now on or as often as I can make myself do it, I plan to keep a smile on my face, hold a positive attitude and remember that my life is not that bad and pretty darn special.  There are plenty out there who have over come much more than I have but they are fantastic examples for working just a little bit harder.

Competitor Magazine & Rubio's

June 7th, 2010 - This past weekend my lovely wife Crystal and I stopped at Rubio's over off of Scripps Poway Parkway and the 15 to pick up a Saturday afternoon meal. They always have great food and beside, they support CAF, LLS and so many other organizations here in San Diego. While waiting I picked up the Competitor Magazine to pass the few minutes it would take for our food to be ready. I was flipping through the pages and came across an advertisement for the MS 150 which raises funds to fight diabetes. At the top is a picture of some cyclists and in the middle is me. Now I've seen this before but it always makes me smile and here's why. I've never ridden this event and the day this was taken I was riding with the Challenged Athletes Foundation so pictured also in this ad are several people wearing CAF garb.

I find this really cool because in my mind it represents the way I want to look at life. I want to support as many organizations and events I can and volunteer as often as my time permits. Seeing cross use of resources between non-profits is a way to a better outcome I believe. There is already too much fighting in our world so why not try and find ways to work together when every possible.

This was, I'm pretty sure, unintentional on the part of the MS people. I've certainly given donations to those raising funds for this cause. Why, because so many people have given to me. As a cancer survivor myself I have firsthand life experience as to why we all need to give something in life. You just never know when your number is up and you need science to develop a cure for that bad hand of cards sometimes we get dealt. In my case it was testicular cancer over 16 years ago and after 3 grueling and very painful protocol session with Chemo they finally announce I was in the clear though it be with no hair and a very weak body.

As I continued to flip pages I noticed that actually I could associate with many of the ads and articles. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society towards the front. I had done 13 programs with them. An article about Scout Bassett and Sarah Reinertsen both I've met and cycling with during the CAF events. And towards the back an advertisement for the program I am currently in, Million Dollar Challenge sponsored by Qualcomm.

It made me proud to see the effect of some of the things I do in life. When my time is up and I'm called to the gate of St Peter and he asked, "what did you do in life", I want my answer to be the longest he's ever heard.

2nd Radio Contest Ride

June 1st - It's a new month. This year is really flying by fast. This past weekend we celebrated memorial day my wife and I. Both of us are X Army vets and were proud to have serve our country. My wife is a West Point graduate (Go Army Beat Navy), class of 84, and I was an enlisted man. How did that work you might ask? It's a whole another story.


That experience in our lives played a major part in how we view the world today. Some of our values where shaped in those years though we both were well into adulthood at the time. Responsibility, follow through, high standards, respect for others, etc where an intricate what the service imparted on us. Thank you Uncle Sam for the opportunity and privilege to serve.

On Sunday the XX1090 Radio Contestants met at Solana Beach for our 2nd training ride. 14 of the 30 Radio Contestants where on hand. One guy, Happy Keller (that is his name), showed up even though his bicycle was on a truck heading to Tahoe. Happy is a very dedicated person. He is just finishing up a funding raising program with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Team in Training (TNT) cycling program and jumped right into the Radio Contest with CAF. Next weekend he's going to ride a 100 mile course around Lake Tahoe after raising, I believe, over $3500 in funds to fight blood cancer. You wouldn't look at him and say, "...there is an slim and trim athlete". But to make an impact in the world and in this contest, you don't have to be. Showing up is half the battle.

Another one of the contestants, Tony Sciarrino, made it to mile 21 after some hard climbing for him. He was beat and let me know. I thought he was going to call his wife but instead he turned around and rode back putting in just over 35 miles. Though it wasn't the 50 mile course at least, again, he showed up and tried.

Opportunities in our journey may only happen once. What you do with those opportunities is not a right or wrong decision, it's just a fork in the road. But my experience has been if I take it on and look at it as a new adventure, my life is so much fuller because of that choice. My goal is to help the radio people see that opportunity and put every ounce of their heart and soul into being the possible winner.

One is Complete and Other Starts

May 25, 2010: Yesterday, Sunday, was the start of a new program, The Challenged Athletes Foundation, Million Dollar Challenge. It was a great way to start the new program with a ride up the coast to Oceanside and back covering 40 some miles. The wind was in our face on the way up making it seem like an uphill climb.



We broke off the XX1090 Radio contestants and rode as a separate group. In a few weeks we'll let them break off into the other groups. Our first elimination will be July 7th so be sure to tune into the Scott and BR Show to hear that. They come on each day from 5-9 AM.



The previous day was the San Diego Century and the final ride for the Trek SuperStore spring training program. We had well over 80 people at the start. What a way to finalize the program and the weather was perfect. A little cool but as the went on it never got too hot.



I'm looking forward to assisting with the next program but have handed over the Saturday details to another coach, Bruce Milikin. Bruce is bringing some fresh ideas to the summer/fall program in preparation for the Tour de Poway in Oct. As an example, July the 4th, the training ride will be the Poway Old Pros ride but the short course, 28 miles. He also has planned a Bike Expo at the La Mesa Trek store. I'll still be helping out but Bruce is driving the bus.

15 Weeks Since TKR, Trek and CAF

May 10th: 15 Weeks since my Total Knee Replacement (TKR). I've been riding on the road for 7 weeks and tomorrow I see Dr Copp for my second evaluation. I continue doing my own physical therapy at home along with the cycling and daily, I see improvements. The swelling has gone way down and the over all pain is very slight. About the only time it has problems is after hard rides, like yesterday, but even that has reduced significantly.

We're into the last weeks of our Trek Century Training program. It's been a gas and very successful. This past weekend we substituted our Julian ride for a Lakeside and Santee route instead. Most of our riders had never made a right at the top of Scripps Poway Parkway onto the 67 and down into that area before. http://treksandiego.com/articles/century-training-schedule-pg254.htm The heat picked up but many people made it back up the 67 and to the start Camino Del Sur. Some did opt to detour and head back after climbing the 52. Either way provided plenty of altitude to ascend.

Out Trek picnic is next weekend after a 40 or 60 mile ride. We'll have two options in order to get everyone back to the start around the same time. $5 is a bargain for hamburger, coke and all the fixings. The following weekend is the event but also when the Tour de California will be near by up in Big Bear. Would have loved to see that but this event is more important. I can watch the whole race on TV later.

We start our Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) training the day after the San Diego Century, May 23rd. From one program into the next. Already into my fund raising for that. Contributions can be made at: http://mdc2010.kintera.org/mikecrystal

Though I was laid off at the beginning of April I'm very optimistic about the job market and my future. I've had a lot of conversations and already starting to see offers. It would be easy to get down at this point but in reality I have a good life. Crystal is still working, my knee is recovering and I'll have a chance to again be a part of the CAF event this fall. On top of that I have a butt load of friends and each day I wake up in paradise. I can't help but enjoying life, one day at a time.

Rehab

I'm into the 4th week after my Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery on Feb 1st, Monday. I spent 3 1/2 days in the hospital and was home on Friday.

The protocol is to start physical therapy (PT) immediately so the day after, Tuesday, I was already lifting my leg up in the air. Everything I read and all the information I was provided indicated that this was going to be a long and hard process. At this point, into week 4, I look back and can see a lot of progress.

After leaving the hospital right away I started to work with a in-home PT person 3 times a week. Barb was her name. She started me with some basic exercises and stretches in various positions. Each time she would add either repetitions and or additional exercises. At first it would take me about 15 minutes to complete everything. Now it's up to about an hour.

It's hard and painful work. 1) The goal is to gain back flexibility in the knee. 2) The other goal is to gain strength. The flexibility is the most painful part and I've come to understand two different types of pain. Think of it this way. One pain is associated with a cut on your hand. It stings and is painful as it heals. The other pain is more from the use of muscle and building up of lactic acid. Just moving my knee I have the first pain but it has dissipated some over time. Still taking some meds but have reduce them considerably and am almost to over the counter stuff like Aleve only.

The stitches came out at week two. I can now ascend and descend stairs without the use of the railing. I started to drive this week and my walk is very normal. All in all I feel pretty good about where I'm at. Next week I have me 4 week checkup with Dr Copp my orthopedic. I'm very excited about hearing how things are coming along. I will be really happy when I can start pedalling again. I won't be out on the road real soon but if I can do stationary riding, that will really brighten my day.

It's Time...Knee Replacement

For the last 30 years of my life I've had knee problems. My left knee had surgery in high school. They removed some loose meniscus. No other major problems since then. But my right knee has had 7 operations over the years. Basically it's bone on bone at this point. Whenever the orthopedics see my X-Rays they wonder how I'm walking around.

How did this happen, use. I've always been active in sports, all my life. Football, baseball, basketball, hockey, swimming, running, wrestling and cycling. I love the outdoors, using my body and feeling it sweat. When I see St Peter at the gates to heaven he's going to say, "man, you really used that body up didn't you?"

Is it painful...not all the time but often enough these days to deem Knee Replacement. We've been talking about it for several years. The docs have said when it hurts enough you'll know.

So what is knee placement. Well, if you really want to know, check out this video on YouTube. CAUTION: this is a very graphic view of the procedure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jr9JUEUXaU (I'm always amazed at what you can find on YouTube).

The basic are that they are replacing the bone area with man made materials. Simple. But the real success is in the therapy after. I'm young enough, 50, and had enough experience with knee problems that with dedication and focus, I'll be riding again in no time without pain. So no, this will not limit me in what I can or can't do. I've read stories about knee replacement people who are out playing racquetball and down hill skiing again.

Normally at this time of the year I'm working with Trek Super Stores here in San Diego on the spring Century Training Program. I'm still assisting but from the sidelines with this operation just around the corner. Go to the Trek site for more info. The first ride has been moved to Jan 30th due to the rain over the last week. http://treksandiego.com/

My main goal after this surgery is to recover as quickly as possible and be ready to the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge again with CAF. Having a goal will assist with keeping focused.

I'll keep an eye out for you on the road and when you see me again I'll be sporting a new scar.