Monday, May 29, 2006

Riding!!!

On the road again! Have gone for a couple of short (30 min) rides with my brace on and will start the regular commuting Memorial day, that will give me 1 month to get back into distance shape. Still plan on doing the TOSRV out of Missoula, Montana in 2 weeks but will skip the Flying Wheels to concentrate on working a few extra hours (need the cash for while I am away!!!) I can very easily get over 100 miles in the 3 days that it would take me to drive to Redmond, ride a century, and then drive back. We will be in Seattle 1 week later, to head out on the Big Ride anyway. Of course it's been raining all week, (just when I can start riding again), when last week it was 90+ degrees and sunny.

Continue to watch what I eat and am now down to my lowest weight in over 15 yrs. I hope to slim down more in this last month. Norma is betting that I can get down to my goal weight of 190lbs during the Big Ride. My computer is still all f'd up and am having trouble accessing the internet so still haven't posted any pics, preturbs me immensely. Will be able to post more often soon, come back for more!! Larry

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

This week

Feeling much better, able to walk about without my hardware, although I have been walking cautiously. Wear my big brace @ work but have given up the crutches. Working on range of motion now and will start strength training soon. Hope to get my new brace this week sometime so I can get out on the road on Bullet. The weather here has been outstanding, up to 90 degrees today and supposed to be in 80's all week. Sucks to be limited by my knee and not able to ride in some decent weather finally.

Have had to miss out on several organized rides, and next couple of weeks have family and work obligations, so the next ride I have scheduled is the TOSRV out of Missoula the 2nd weekend in June. Will have about 2000 miles on the bike before I go cross country.

Have raised $4800 so far and am now encouraging the people who have promised to help to get me the rest. I have no doubt that I will be ready, financially, logistically, and physically for the great adventure. If you would like to help with the $ feel free to get it to the ALAW in my name. Thanks for following along, Larry.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Getting better!

Oh, what a difference a week makes! Am feeling much better, still wearing the large knee immobilizer, but have been bearing weight and using 20-30 degrees of range of motion. Have had very little discomfort. Hope to start rehab next week, and be out on the road soon!!!

Had a great time last weekend, it was Bloomsday over in Spokane. Bloomsday is a 7.3 mile foot race that goes thru and around Spokane, 43,000 + runners, walkers, wheelchairs, and strollers participate. We (my family and friends) help staff the finish line Medical Aid tent. The weather was great for the runners, cool and wet, but pretty boring for the Medical staff, hardly had to treat any participants. I enjoy volunteering for these big events, it is sad that I will miss the Coeur D' Alene Ironman Triathalon this summer. It will be the first time since the very first one that I will miss, I will be over in Seattle preparing for the Big Ride, we leave the next morning for the ride.

Speaking of the Big Ride, things are rolling along towards the start, I have started preparations for the ride, have procured my camping gear, my clothing, Bullet is ready, and the lists for final packing is almost complete. Fundraising is above $4,500 and now I just need to contact all the people who have promised to get me more funds and get it to the ALAW, I should have just the right amount to match my pledge. If you would like to help me with the last $1,000 please feel free to contact me.

Have been working almost non-stop the last week so I haven't had a chance to post the pics I have.....stay tuned.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Forrrreeeeever!

Well, seems like it has been forever since I posted last, and it has! Much has happened in the last 2 weeks, much good, and much bad.

Good 1st, had a wonderful Daffodil Classic. Couldn't have asked for a better early season ride. Clear, nary a cloud in sight, 45 degrees (cool) to start, rode 1st 50 mi with long gloves, arm, leg, and toe warmers and Tyvek jacket. Last 50 I did in shorts, short sleeve jersey and short gloves. Actually got slight sunburn. My bike is all but ready to go, new wheels, tires, drive line, all bearings checked and repacked, new cables and seat post. Handle bars retaped (in red) and new red h20 bottle holders. Bullet is quite the beauty, and rearing to go. Rides like a new bike!! I have 850 miles this year so far. My computer comes back from the shop tomorrow so I can start posting some pictures!

Now for the bad, was playing outdoor soccer last weekend on my kid's team, Jessi needed a goalkeeper, and within 5 minutes of the start of the game some 25 year old pro wanna-be player mowed me over and ripped my Medial Collateral Ligament in my R knee. Dumb shit gave me a 3rd degree tear, (there is only 4 degrees of tears), couldn't walk on it without it buckling and me falling to ground like some paralyzed flounder. Have to wear a long leg knee immoblizer with no weight bearing for 1 week, 1 week of increasing weight bearing and then I can start rehabing the knee. Good thing is it doesn't hurt, but I am a piss poor patient and am anxious to push the envelope on getting back on my bike. Norma and Jessi are keeping a very close eye on me to
keep me in line. The healing process should be 4-6 weeks and with the ride 8 weeks away I will be ready to go! Missed the Lilac Century ride last Sunday and have opted out of the Inland Empire Century May 13th in Richland, WA. Hope to be able to ride part or all of the Reach the Beach Ride out of Portland May 20th. Gonna put a real crimp in the # of miles I get in before the Big Ride, oh well life is always interesting!!!