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.

20 Weeks with CAF

Friday, Oct 30th - I've been back from our ride down the coast for over a week now. It's about time to update this blog.

What an experience! I'm not sure I can justify with my piddly use of the English language what this whole ordeal was like. 7 days on the road with like minded people with huge smiles plastered across their faces is hard to explain. Each sunrise brought with it a new city and different perspective of the California coast. Here, let me try and provide you my view of it.

The first 3 days started out damp as we drove our bikes into thick fog usually subsiding around 10 AM. Fog horns where blowing as we left San Francisco our first day. I just put my sunglasses on my helmet after 5 minutes for the first 3 hours in the saddle on days like that. I just couldn't make out the road well enough with rain drops on the lenses and with 1 inch of rubber between me and slippery roads...I need to see whats coming.

The rest of the mornings were usually a nice ride into cool weather. Each day seemed to raise the temperature 2 or 3 degrees. By the end, we didn't need any arm or knee warms at all. It was a good thing I packed those mittens.

I connected with several challenged athletes, Chris Self and Josh Sharpe, but to call them challenged is a misconception. Each lives a very accomplished life. Chris is missing his leg below the knee. He struggled with our California hills but day after day I saw him get stronger. He's still in the Military, Army Special Forces (Be all you can Be) after 24 years and is going for 30. He's getting deployed again in a few months. Hasn't he done enough for king and country? (that's him adjusting his prosthetic leg along with Mark and Andy two other challenged athletes)

Josh has no use of his legs below the waist and tackles the road with a hand cycle. Over the years he's completed many events including one recently in Alaska. From what I could gather he rode (on and off road) with a hand cycle, rafted, and paddled during this adventure event. I had the privilege to be his guide on two different days. He can cruise at 15 to 18 MPH and I can't even catch him on the down hills. That low profile is the key to his speed.

Each night we stayed at a fantastic hotel except in Big Sur. There we were in a really nice lodge. That night I shared a room with 3 other guys and one was the photographer. He had the light on in our open area most of the night where 3 of use slept. Good thing I brought those Hollywood blinders and ear plugs. The other nights I was rooming with Mike (The Colonel) Hower, a retired Marine. Oh, I'm sorry, once a Marine, always a Marine. Great guy and one of the other Mikes in Group 3. Doc Mike is the last Ride Leader and doctor for our event.

The added responsibilities of a Ride Leader made me a pretty worn out puppy by the end of each day. I tried to hit the bed as soon as possible which normally was 8:30 or 9:00 PM. Each morning I was up at 5:30 AM to attend to luggage. Part of our Ride Leader responsibilities was to load up the luggage trucks. That's about 300 pieces to lift and stack. Before I turned a pedal I had already burned a half a days worth of calories.

Almost every day I had an opportunity to assist someone with a flat and then draft them back to their group or regrouping point. Nothing like pushing the wind. Don't get me wrong, I was glad to do it and actually liked being able to help others.

There were a lot of great stories and far too many to even try and mention here. But it was 20 weeks of pure joy and 1 week of fun down the coast. Will I do it again...possibly, most likely, yep. First I need to check with my better half and see what our plans are for next year.

Thanks for your support.

San Francisco

Friday, Oct 16th - A few of us flew in yesterday to assist with getting some things set up. This morning we got up early and went for a short ride around the city to take in the sites. It was a bit foggy but still something to see. It kind of felt like riding threw Disneyland. It's such a different city than San Diego.


Kevin, John, Jim and myself headed down to the stadium first which isn't far from our hotel here in Fisherman's Wharf. John and Kevin had their Church of Cycling jersey's on which seem to draw attention from some tourists in the area. AT&T park is right down on the water almost.

As we rode the street cars were sounding, cars whizzing by and Kevin said, "why aren't these people at work". From there we headed over to the famous Lombard St. There is a steep section before you get the curves at the top. This section tops out at 25%. I hadn't planned on that.

Next we headed over to the Golden Gate Bridge and rode across. There was fog horn blowing and just as we came to the center of the bridge the fog started to lift. Once we got to the other side we could see that the fog was still rolling around but was starting to dissipate. Man what a site though. It was such a great way to start the day.

As we headed back we stopped at a few more points to grab some shots of each other. We have a long week ahead of us and know it will be have challenges and yet be rewarding.

Upon our return I met Rachel Cowan who has been training inside for the last several months on her stationary trainer. Her new hand cycle bike had just arrived and they were frantically making adjustments for her so she could perform a test ride before leaving tomorrow. Her spirits where high and I could see the excitement on her face.

It's going to be quite an experience and I'm looking forward to it.

Final Ride...Now San Francisco

Sunday, Oct 11th - What a great ride this past weekend. You could feel the energy in the air as a huge crowd gathered for our final preparation before heading up to San Francisco next Friday. Mari was on hand with her little dog who often gets to go along. He's a cute little guy with a huge personality. Mari tries to bring him out to meet with the group a lot.


Fred took a moment to provide some inspiration. He talked about what happen to him and how in an instant his life changed when he was hit by a car and lost his legs. Then he talked about how later in an instant he was perceived as a disabled person when he was loaded up on a plane to go see his mother in Florida. And then a year later, when he was heading to a triathlon how he was now perceived as an athlete because of what we do at CAF. In an instant things can change.


We sometimes forget what this is all about and get caught up in our own lives but after Fred's talk it all came back. It's not just a ride or raising money...it's really about affecting someone elses world. I've ridden by Fred many times and thought it's got to be a lonely road ahead for him. He doesn't have a huge group to ride with or someone to provide a draft. But when I see him at the end there is always a huge smile on his face. Life is about over coming obstacles and CAF provides a vehicle to help.


I snapped a picture of Adam at the end of our ride. He had helmet hair not an uncommon occurrence when you have lots of locks. He's still riding the high of being selected as the winner of the XX1090 radio contest. I think I saw all of the final 7 at the ride this weekend. They looked very happy and excited about what's a head.

Next Saturday, Oct 17th, we start our final leg of the journey. It's been a different and yet wonderful experience for me.