I am going to go ahead and follow suit with a lot of what has been going on in the blogger and twitter worlds. Everyone is saying good by to 2009 and hello to 2010.
Overall 2009 was a great year for me. My love for mountain biking has gone through the roof and I can definitely say I am addicted. I was able to join a fantastic bike team in that of the Trek Bicycle Store of Boulder. These guys truly love cycling and really put themselves out there to show their love of the sport taking care of so many riders. The owners, the employees, and the riders are amazing people and a lot of fun to be around. Thanks for everything guys and I look forward to 2010!
In 2009 I also met an awesome girl by the name of Ellen as most of you know. I met her for the first time almost a year ago through mutual friends in Steamboat. I was up there to do some snowboarding and hang out with friends like I usually do each year and she caught my eye from the beginning. I didn't hang out with her again until June when our friend Jenny moved out to Steamboat from North Carolina, worked her magic and next thing I knew we were hanging out in Steamboat and Boulder over the summer. She has since moved down to Ft. Collins to head back to school at CSU to get her 2nd degree and we are doing great!
Another highlight was when my Dad come out to go to the Drag Races at Bandimere Raceway. We hadn't gone to the drags since I was a kid in Indianapolis. It really took me back in time with the sheer thunder those cars produce and I LOVED IT. Pops also went to one of my Winter Park races and it was amazing to have there to see what the races are like.
My Mom also made a memorable trip out with her friends. They all came out to explore the Colorado high country and attend my Breckenridge 100 race. We had a good time wandering the town and hanging out. I bonked out of the race this year which was disappointing I couldn't finish for all of them but some days you just don't have it. It was still awesome to have them all there. My Mom also got to meet Ellen as she came down for my race and she had a half marathon trail run of her own the next day at Vail which she completed!
These were just a few of the great things that went down for me this year. The end of 2009 wasn't so pleasant for me as many of you know. Mono and Strep have had me in the cellar for the last two weeks. I was able to work from home this week which kept me occupied some what from thinking about not being able to do anything active. However, as I said from the beginning of the Mono experience I am looking at this as beneficial. When 2010 arrives it is like a fresh beginning and rebuilding period. I am feeling much better and can now say I am ready to take 2010 head on.
It will be a slow fresh beginning but I am looking forward to it. I hope everyone is safe tonight and I'll see you all on the flip side!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Well Crap Group C Strep
I just got a call from the Boulder Urgent Care this morning. My fingers were crossed they were just checking up on me but nope. Turns out that mess I saw in my throat a few days ago turns out to be Group C Strep. The Urgent Care just got my throat culture back from the lab.
From what I read right quick and what the lady at the Urgent Care told me Group A Strep is the strep throat that usually causes the nasty pain and really crazy sore throat and Group C is a lesser case I guess you could say. Either way I am going to pick up Z Pak antibiotics in about 20 minutes from the pharmacy. This will hopefully finish off the bacteria that has been causing the problems in my throat. The Z Pak will not doing anything for the Mono since that is virus related. I do still sleep better and feel better but I really hope these antibiotics take care of this nastiness. I am starting to go slightly crazy looking at my bikes and not being able to ride them though I still have a while for that anyway.
I guess for now I am just happy that the symptoms are down. I will continue doing what I have been which is taking it easy eating, drinking water, and getting sleep.
From what I read right quick and what the lady at the Urgent Care told me Group A Strep is the strep throat that usually causes the nasty pain and really crazy sore throat and Group C is a lesser case I guess you could say. Either way I am going to pick up Z Pak antibiotics in about 20 minutes from the pharmacy. This will hopefully finish off the bacteria that has been causing the problems in my throat. The Z Pak will not doing anything for the Mono since that is virus related. I do still sleep better and feel better but I really hope these antibiotics take care of this nastiness. I am starting to go slightly crazy looking at my bikes and not being able to ride them though I still have a while for that anyway.
I guess for now I am just happy that the symptoms are down. I will continue doing what I have been which is taking it easy eating, drinking water, and getting sleep.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to everyone and I hope your day is fantastic!
I believe I am currently on the mend from the Mono. I am keeping in mind that though I am feeling better there is still a long way to go. I can't get to carried away too soon. The last two nights I have been able to sleep clear through the night and the swelling in my lymph node has gone down considerably and my throat is feeling much much better though it is still swollen and jacked up on the inside. I continue to drink absurd amounts of water and use the bathroom every 45 minutes to an hour. I was all too lucky to be able to keep my appetite through the worst of the symptoms.
This morning I awoke and opened the presents that have been sitting in my room for over two weeks. The big kids in my family aka Reagan, Leslie, Ryan, Matt, and myself decided to do an exchange of sorts in that we drew one name and spent a set amount of money on that one person.
Ryan was my Santa this year and he got me this Fox Racing T-Shirt:
This fantastic drive train cover to protect my dérailleur and chain from dirt when traveling called the Chain Condom! Lastly, these awesome Oakley Factory Gloves which will be my race gloves.
My parents got me a Helmet Cam which I have used once already and will actually be putting together a time lapse of me opening the presents once I get a script from my buddy Robert. They also sent me a care package with goodies from the Dutch Essen House in Shipshewana, IN (Amish Country). I got Banana Bread, Snickerdoodles, Homemade Egg Noodles, Beef Base, Peach Rings, Chicken Corn Noodle Soup, and Apple Snitz! Pretty bomb care package if you ask me!
Also my girlfriend Ellen left me a package in her car as she went home to Alamo, CA for Christmas and is currently traveling to AZ to visit family. I went out and got the present this morning after she emailed me it was in there it was "The Cyclist Training Bible!" Sweet!! A fantastic Christmas Morning it was!
This afternoon Abby is cooking up some lunch so I am going to hang out with her and Brendan since they have both had Mono there is no big worry of getting them sick. We will watch some snowboarding movies I am going to take over at Brendan's request and enjoy the day.
Once again Merry Christmas to all and have a GREAT DAY!
B
I believe I am currently on the mend from the Mono. I am keeping in mind that though I am feeling better there is still a long way to go. I can't get to carried away too soon. The last two nights I have been able to sleep clear through the night and the swelling in my lymph node has gone down considerably and my throat is feeling much much better though it is still swollen and jacked up on the inside. I continue to drink absurd amounts of water and use the bathroom every 45 minutes to an hour. I was all too lucky to be able to keep my appetite through the worst of the symptoms.
This morning I awoke and opened the presents that have been sitting in my room for over two weeks. The big kids in my family aka Reagan, Leslie, Ryan, Matt, and myself decided to do an exchange of sorts in that we drew one name and spent a set amount of money on that one person.
Ryan was my Santa this year and he got me this Fox Racing T-Shirt:
This fantastic drive train cover to protect my dérailleur and chain from dirt when traveling called the Chain Condom! Lastly, these awesome Oakley Factory Gloves which will be my race gloves.
My parents got me a Helmet Cam which I have used once already and will actually be putting together a time lapse of me opening the presents once I get a script from my buddy Robert. They also sent me a care package with goodies from the Dutch Essen House in Shipshewana, IN (Amish Country). I got Banana Bread, Snickerdoodles, Homemade Egg Noodles, Beef Base, Peach Rings, Chicken Corn Noodle Soup, and Apple Snitz! Pretty bomb care package if you ask me!
Also my girlfriend Ellen left me a package in her car as she went home to Alamo, CA for Christmas and is currently traveling to AZ to visit family. I went out and got the present this morning after she emailed me it was in there it was "The Cyclist Training Bible!" Sweet!! A fantastic Christmas Morning it was!
This afternoon Abby is cooking up some lunch so I am going to hang out with her and Brendan since they have both had Mono there is no big worry of getting them sick. We will watch some snowboarding movies I am going to take over at Brendan's request and enjoy the day.
Once again Merry Christmas to all and have a GREAT DAY!
B
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Mono Update/Leadville 100 Wager
I continue to have my appetite which has to be helping with the recovery. Yesterday I picked up some advil and vicks nasal spray which have both helped curb some of the symptoms and I felt a bit better yesterday. I was really hoping to get some good rest last night and I did for about 5 hours. Then it was back to the night sweats and waking up every hour tossing and turning.
Today it feels like the swelling in my neck is finally holding steady. Still have a bit of a sore throat and some drainage but I don't seem to be getting any worse. Still feel worn down but the body aches have seemed to subside.
To pass the time last night I was looking at more races for the 2010 race season and was checking out registration for the Leadville 100 as it has opened for the the Lottery process. There are so many applicants for this race that they do a lottery drawing. Last year I didn't get in so I was amped to sign up again this year. However, when I looked at the entry fees they upped it $25 and are charging a $15 application fee. I found this to be totally bogus and was starting to second guess entry. Lance Armstrong has raced in the Leadville 100 the last two years and the applicant entry numbers have gone crazy since.
The thought of racing in this race because of Lance has never been a thought in my mind because who cares. You see the guy at the starting line and then again on course when he is like 3-4 hours ahead of you on the return leg of the race. That isn't a pleasure it's demoralizing haha! The lure to this race is not the course either as there is not much singletrack. The lure is the fact that you are racing at 9,500 ft up to 12,000 ft above sea level for 100 miles. This makes the race extremely challenging not to mention the amount of climbing involved. The lure is purely the extreme nature of the race in my mind. You will go through so many highs and lows during the race mentally and physically it's a real fight to the finish.
Matt my bro-in-law saw my post on Twitter last night that I was contemplating not entering the race because of the price tag to enter. He was kind enough to enlighten me again on the fact that I need to take the opportunity to do such a race while I can. So I made a wager with him. If I get into the race and complete in the 12 hour time limit then he picks up the entry fee. If I get in and do not make it then I am stuck with the tab. So game on keep your fingers crossed I get in!
Alright nap time. Hope everyone is doing well.
Today it feels like the swelling in my neck is finally holding steady. Still have a bit of a sore throat and some drainage but I don't seem to be getting any worse. Still feel worn down but the body aches have seemed to subside.
To pass the time last night I was looking at more races for the 2010 race season and was checking out registration for the Leadville 100 as it has opened for the the Lottery process. There are so many applicants for this race that they do a lottery drawing. Last year I didn't get in so I was amped to sign up again this year. However, when I looked at the entry fees they upped it $25 and are charging a $15 application fee. I found this to be totally bogus and was starting to second guess entry. Lance Armstrong has raced in the Leadville 100 the last two years and the applicant entry numbers have gone crazy since.
The thought of racing in this race because of Lance has never been a thought in my mind because who cares. You see the guy at the starting line and then again on course when he is like 3-4 hours ahead of you on the return leg of the race. That isn't a pleasure it's demoralizing haha! The lure to this race is not the course either as there is not much singletrack. The lure is the fact that you are racing at 9,500 ft up to 12,000 ft above sea level for 100 miles. This makes the race extremely challenging not to mention the amount of climbing involved. The lure is purely the extreme nature of the race in my mind. You will go through so many highs and lows during the race mentally and physically it's a real fight to the finish.
Matt my bro-in-law saw my post on Twitter last night that I was contemplating not entering the race because of the price tag to enter. He was kind enough to enlighten me again on the fact that I need to take the opportunity to do such a race while I can. So I made a wager with him. If I get into the race and complete in the 12 hour time limit then he picks up the entry fee. If I get in and do not make it then I am stuck with the tab. So game on keep your fingers crossed I get in!
Alright nap time. Hope everyone is doing well.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Another Day Down
Last night was not a great night. I was very uneasy sleeping and kept waking up in a full on sweat. My throat was hurting more with drainage that I couldn't seem to get out. So I tossed and turned all night with an uncomfortable neck but was able to get a few bouts of sleep.
Today involved lots of couch time and two naps. I still have my appetite which is awesome. I think that is making everything a lot easier. The sore throat is still manageable and actually feels pretty good when I am eating or drinking, just seems to dry out pretty fast otherwise. Body aches continue and I have to change position a lot. Definitely have to rest my head or the right side of my neck with the swelling starts to ache.
Other than that I am in good spirits and will continue taking it easy all week. More updates to come as the week progresses.
Thanks to all those who are offering help though I am doing well. I will let you know if I need anything.
Today involved lots of couch time and two naps. I still have my appetite which is awesome. I think that is making everything a lot easier. The sore throat is still manageable and actually feels pretty good when I am eating or drinking, just seems to dry out pretty fast otherwise. Body aches continue and I have to change position a lot. Definitely have to rest my head or the right side of my neck with the swelling starts to ache.
Other than that I am in good spirits and will continue taking it easy all week. More updates to come as the week progresses.
Thanks to all those who are offering help though I am doing well. I will let you know if I need anything.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Been a long time
Well been like 8 months since my last blog post because I got caught up in the simplicity of twitter and wasn't really having much to write about. Not going to try and back track to what has occurred in the last 8 months but rather move forward.
Four weeks ago I went to the Dr. for the first time in a long time because had come down with some serious congestion for two weeks and decided it was finally time to see if the Dr. couldn't clear things up a little sooner with an antibiotic or something. Dr. put me on amoxicillin and I headed off to Chartlotte for a pre-Thanksgiving visit to my sisters to see my her as well as my niece, nephew, and bro-in-law as well as my friend Kate. I figured that would be the end of it.
Fast forward 4 weeks and I all of the sudden get a really swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck and was really starting to feel fatigued at work. It continues to grow so 3 days later which would have been yesterday Friday morning I decided I need to go to the Dr. again. Not happy as I hate the Dr. and usually get through small sicknesses with no problem. Dr. has a look and takes a throat swab and gets blood for blood work. I wait two hours and call back. Diagnosis = Mononucleosis positive?!?! WHAT REALLY?!?! Yup all other levels looks good as far as white blood cell count and electrolytes etc. Well doesn't this suck.
I had just gone to our Trek Bicycle Store Team meeting the night before and was getting pumped to really start riding for the 2010 race season. As I see it you can look at this situation in two ways:
1. Sit and sulk and let the virus tear you down until 4-6 weeks passes or
2. Realize this is one of the better times it could happen and plan how you are going to really take care of yourself and rebuild from it
I chose the latter. I have great support from work as my boss has had Mono before and he knows what it is like. I also have a lot of sick days left so with the support of my boss as well I will have ample time to get over the worst of it before going back to work. I am looking at this experience (though my body is fighting a strong virus) as recovery and planning time. I know it will be hard work to get my full body back into the demanding shape endurance mountain biking requires so planning will be key.
I am going to be very patient with this recovery and try not to work too fast to regain my strength. Mono can tear you down and stick with you for a long time if you don't give your body the proper time and care to recover. Not to mention most of the activities I partake in have a good chance of collision injuries which can make the spleen burst as it is sensitive because of the virus. Snowboarding and biking are both in the waiting pattern for a while.
All that said how do I currently feel? I am definitely in the early stages from what I can see. I have body aches and feel weak and fatigued. Minor sore throat but nothing bad yet. My neck is a bit stiff and achy from the small potato sized swollen lymph node on my neck (this is what bothers me most). I am hoping this all holds steady and I can get lots of rest and nourishment this week since I will be home from work and I will hopefully make the turn.
Sorry to those of you who I haven't returned your calls. Stephanie and Justin. I will try to get back to you tomorrow or this week. Just haven't felt like talking much but don't worry I'll get back to you.
Four weeks ago I went to the Dr. for the first time in a long time because had come down with some serious congestion for two weeks and decided it was finally time to see if the Dr. couldn't clear things up a little sooner with an antibiotic or something. Dr. put me on amoxicillin and I headed off to Chartlotte for a pre-Thanksgiving visit to my sisters to see my her as well as my niece, nephew, and bro-in-law as well as my friend Kate. I figured that would be the end of it.
Fast forward 4 weeks and I all of the sudden get a really swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck and was really starting to feel fatigued at work. It continues to grow so 3 days later which would have been yesterday Friday morning I decided I need to go to the Dr. again. Not happy as I hate the Dr. and usually get through small sicknesses with no problem. Dr. has a look and takes a throat swab and gets blood for blood work. I wait two hours and call back. Diagnosis = Mononucleosis positive?!?! WHAT REALLY?!?! Yup all other levels looks good as far as white blood cell count and electrolytes etc. Well doesn't this suck.
I had just gone to our Trek Bicycle Store Team meeting the night before and was getting pumped to really start riding for the 2010 race season. As I see it you can look at this situation in two ways:
1. Sit and sulk and let the virus tear you down until 4-6 weeks passes or
2. Realize this is one of the better times it could happen and plan how you are going to really take care of yourself and rebuild from it
I chose the latter. I have great support from work as my boss has had Mono before and he knows what it is like. I also have a lot of sick days left so with the support of my boss as well I will have ample time to get over the worst of it before going back to work. I am looking at this experience (though my body is fighting a strong virus) as recovery and planning time. I know it will be hard work to get my full body back into the demanding shape endurance mountain biking requires so planning will be key.
I am going to be very patient with this recovery and try not to work too fast to regain my strength. Mono can tear you down and stick with you for a long time if you don't give your body the proper time and care to recover. Not to mention most of the activities I partake in have a good chance of collision injuries which can make the spleen burst as it is sensitive because of the virus. Snowboarding and biking are both in the waiting pattern for a while.
All that said how do I currently feel? I am definitely in the early stages from what I can see. I have body aches and feel weak and fatigued. Minor sore throat but nothing bad yet. My neck is a bit stiff and achy from the small potato sized swollen lymph node on my neck (this is what bothers me most). I am hoping this all holds steady and I can get lots of rest and nourishment this week since I will be home from work and I will hopefully make the turn.
Sorry to those of you who I haven't returned your calls. Stephanie and Justin. I will try to get back to you tomorrow or this week. Just haven't felt like talking much but don't worry I'll get back to you.
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