Transplant Athlete
Booty-rific
Over the past 10 years, I've ridden in extreme weather, in heat so hot it feels like my brain was boiling to winter days so cold my water bottles froze in 15 minutes. In all that time, I've rarely ridden in rain...Unfortunately, that's how the 24 Hours Of Booty started out, with heavy rain. I got my tent up before the rain started. My parents showed up and set up their NY GIANTS tent in front of mine and ABL showed up with the kids around the same time. Jeff Gover from NXSTAGE showed up.
There was a 500 rider limit for the ride, but I bet there were just 100 people at the start line. The course was quick with one long gradual hill and one short hill. I started off on the Softride with my Zipp wheels and felt wicked fast. Every 10 laps, I'd pull into the camping area and take a break. After 30 laps, I changed into dry clothes and took a 3 hour sleep break. The rain was too much for the tents and by 9pm, they were both leaking. Both Q and I were getting dripped on as we slept. ABL had taken the other two kids to a hotel for the night and my parents slept in their car. I then went back out on to the course and did another 10 laps. There might have been a half dozen riders on the course at that time of night. The rain was still coming down hard, the camping area was one big mudpit. I changed into another set of dry clothes and went back to sleep. In the morning, the rain had slowed to a mist. I knocked out another 10 laps and took a break. Then my dad offered to break down our campsite while I rode, so I knocked out another 10 laps. About halfway through these last ten laps, the sun came out and the course started to dry out.
My knee was hurting, but it wasn't a showstopper. I was using Assos Chamois Creme for the first time and it was working great. I ran out of dry clothes though and I wasn't sure how much fluid I had gained, so I decided to call it quits. I was a bit disappointed with the mileage, but I think it's a great start considering it's been 2 years since I've done any serious ultra events and I've only been training for 6 weeks.
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First Day Of Interbike
I arrived at Interbike sometime around 11am, by noon I was thrilled to be here, by 1pm, I was desperate for it to be over. I came straight from the airport, so I was carrying my luggage. I had to get another bag for all the schwag and catalogues I was collecting. By 2pm, my dogs were barking and I needed to finish up the expo. It was very much like a climb, I look over and say to myself, there's the end, then you come around a corner and realize you've got a whole 'nother climb to go. By 3pm, I was crisscrossing the floor to make sure I hit the booths I needed to...It's 4pm and I need lunch or dinner (whatever).
Early on, I bumped into Mike Fritz and Brent two former colleagues from WAVECREST. I also saw Eric Feller, but I knew he was going to be here. I stopped in to a seminar and who should sit down next to me but Jonathon Nathanson. I swung by Hammer Nutrition to say hi to Steve Born and I got a picture of Steve Hed.
Big disappontment, Trek's not here. Bigger disappointment, Chris Carmichael isn't here. Minor disappointment, RAAM isn't here.
I'm tired. I'm in the lower level charging up my laptop and figuring out what my next move will be. I definitely need food. Do I walk the 4 miles back to my hotel or take the monorail?
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Race Around Ireland
I was going to write about how my training isn't going according to plan (ok I'll do it at the end), but I just found out Stephen Bugbee is competing in the
Race Around Ireland. It starts in 3 days. 1350 miles RAAM style. That sounds like fun. Good luck Stephen.
My training never seems to go according to plan. I was able to get a couple hours in on Wednesday by riding to my Nephrologist appointment. It's a real easy ride, just an hour on the W&OD and then 10 minutes south on Gallows Rd to Rte. 50. I had been feeling dizzy all day and when I arrived, my blood pressure was 80/68...My weight was 78.2 kilos, so I was above my dry weight, but my blood pressure was saying I was below my dry weight. The Doc raised my dry weight to 78.5, but even at that, my blood pressure's been low. At least I know what dehydration feels like now.
Today, I was able to make it to the Reston Bike Club Thursday night ride. I joined group 3 (18 - 19 average mph) and was able to stay with them. I'm going to Seaside Heights this weekend, so no riding for me. I've got about 1 week left of good training, I'm going to Vegas the week before the 24 Hours of Booty, so that'll be a recovery week. I think I'll be lucky to hit 200 miles during the event.
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Tell Me Something I Don't Know...
Apparently, Depression is more prevalent among patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)than other diseases like congestive heart failure or diabetes. The NKF offers these tips:
- Try to be with other people (really...WTF? Contrary to popular opinion, depressed guy is not that popular at parties)
- Your mood will improve gradually (Thanks NKF that one is really helpful)
- Aim for 8 hours sleep a day (Between kids and dialysis, I feel lucky if I get 5 hours)
- Exercise regularly (applies to just about any disease.
Link
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