Finally Pinned on a Number...

Ok, so in mtb'ing it's more like zip tying a number (and a new sticker/tracker thing to your helmet), but you get what I'm saying.

Sunday was the Feel the Burn endurance mtb race in Warsaw and even though the trails are a bit rough it's hard to pass up on of Mac and Truman Bike's events as they put their heart and souls in to every one of them. 

Training/riding has been going pretty good and after two different 2hr sessions at Sac I figured it was time to see what the 'ol back could handle.  David Evans, Bolivar-ite, jumped in with me for the race.

Arrived to see the Cat 1 field nicely loaded with Dan Miller, Garrett S, JP, and Drew for their 52 mile go of it.  I, being of sound mind and no legs for that distance jumped in the SS class for 39 miles (much more doable).  Lined up and found I was the only SS'er (in the class) so starting 5 minutes behind the Cat 2's made for a fun day of seeing how many I could run down over the next 3.5hrs.

Things went pretty well for the three laps (13 miles each) and actually felt better with each as the race progressed and my back felt absolutely great.  I think there was one Cat 2 that I didn't catch, but not really sure as David and I hooked it home right after we finished.

(Knock on wood) I really feel back to 100% and now can relax and kick back on racing road stuff as I plan a full 'cross season ahead.  So many smiles during the day as it was great to be back in competition and Feeling the Burn (get it, the name of the race...).  That was the first race since USGP Madison back in Sept '12.

Mac and I shared the SS podium since there were no others

 

***thanks to Jolie Vorce for the great pics***

Up next is Jeff Yielding's Hermann Gravel 2-day'er this weekend.  Taking Deb with me so I plan to ride 66 miles (of the 100) on Saturday and 50 miles (of the 100) on Sunday so she and I can have plenty of time to explore Hermann.  After that it's a local one (OMBA) at Sac put on by the Mercy-Kuat guys the following Sunday.

Homefront wise all is going well and the crew is getting excited for spring weather, which means most of our evenings spend kicking a soccer ball or taking BP (batting practice) in the backyard. 

Season Wrap and Season Beginnings

So Ian's basketball team (I coach) wrapped up their winter season over this past weekend winning another tournament championship.  Played with six boys for three games and five for one (four in total) so by the end they were super tired.  I love these boys on and off the court and each has super supportive/encouraging parents which make my job easier.  So the season went 34-8 including five tournament championships and one league championship at The Courts.  I am ready for a break from coaching as we have been getting after it for the past six months.

Played with a skeleton crew

Ian is taking a couple months off before hitting the hardwood again for a summer session of games with his school team in June and then hopefully back with the Warriors for a handful of late summer tourneys. 

Speaking of Ian he turned 12 last week and I did a little into to sushi and I'm pretty sure he's a fan (as long as we don't go too exotic).  This week for spring break he's going to the STL area with his church youth group to do mission work in a couple different shelters.

 

 

For the past couple months Darion has worked out at a local gymnastics program and he is loving it.  His instructor is great with kids and there are only three other boys in his group so there is tons of one-on-one time.  He loves going every week.

 

 

On the training front last week two things took place which has me encouraged about jumping back into 'cross this fall: 1) got on the mtb on single track for the first time since my injury and the body responded great with no structural weaknesses.  Now, my handling skills were a total wreck but that is easily fixed... 2) played basketball (at an intense pace) for an hour on Friday and felt 95% solid.  That was the biggest 'iffy' thing as if I can get off-the-bike dynamic movements back then 'cross is doable.  This all is encouraging and lets me just goof around getting base and handling stuff down this spring/early summer instead of focusing on just racing the road stuff.

 

Crazy nice last week as the temps almost hit 80*, but back to a little cool down this week again.  I checked out the forecast for the NW Arkansas Classic RR this weekend and it has it at 38* and snowing; might rethink this...

Getting Back in the Flow

Started back riding road and gravel the last week of January and surprisingly the legs and fitness are starting to come around.  Back is still a bugger, but not near as significant as it was.  Getting plenty of riding and maybe in a month or so I'll partake in some road racing.  Really missing the mtb'ing we did last winter (dry enough it was rideable a ton), but am holding off until April before I throw my back into it.  Core work has been high on priority and it seems to be holding everything together.  Hoping to race 'cross this fall, but we'll see how that goes as it nears.  Plenty of road/crit racing on the calendar to somewhat keep my interest (but it just ain't 'cross).

On the home front all is good.  Jake keeps knocking out college stuff, Ian is wrapping up our winter campaign on the hardwood, and Darion is doing awesome settling in more and more in the security that he has a forever family.

Last weekend Champs; played with only six kids and by the end they were dead tired

This is more like the crew I know...

Meet Darion Jones, My Son

For over 1 year and 8 months Darion Ottman has been in our lives and we've loved every second of it and we are so blessed that today we officially welcomed into our family as Darion Jones (7 years old). We are a great fit for him and he for us; the boys love and fight with him just like brothers should.  Awesome!



The Judge was great and even banged his gavel at Darion's request to make it official

Here are a couple pictures of my son:



He his small, but a heck of an athlete

 

Birthday in 2011



Yes, he can do The Rock eyebrow

He and Jake have a special bond

I hestitate to type this but...

...I've actually ridden three days in a row relatively pain free (on the bike that is).  1.5hrs Friday, 1.25hrs Sat, and 1.7hrs today; all good.  NOTE:  As I type this I am knocking on wood.  Still significant discomfort when off the bike, but I am riding.

Now the bad news:  HOLY CRUD I SUCK!  I recognize that I've been off the bike since early October and it will come back, but its been 20 years since I was this weak/off; this next couple of months are going to be character builders in humility when I comes to the city limit sign sprints!

It feels so freaking good to be outside spinning the legs and breathing deep.  Mental therapy for sure!

Heading out Thursday to L'ville to catch Worlds with Dale and Nate.  Hotels booked in Feb '12 and VIP tickets in hand.  Going to be a great trip.  

Another Basketball Weekend...

...another tourney championship.  This weekend four wins at Osceola making our record so far 20-3.

 

 

Couple more weeks before I hop back on the bike and see how it goes.  Fingers crossed!

2013 - Repair,Regroup, and ...

So it's been 2 months since last post and honestly since this is mostly geared toward cycling there hasn't been anything to report other than trying to still to get my back in healthy condition and get back on the bike with some routine. 

The official diagnosis is Degenerative Disc Disease in my L4 and L5 (two of them) with both bulging. Not a death sentence but not something that doesn't repairs itself (the bulging actually can though).  The forward focus is getting the inflammation down to limit the pain of the nerve that is shooting the pain into my right buttocks (not down my leg - SI) and limits my movements from one position to another without significant pain.  The movement from a flexed (on the bike) position to a dismounted vertical (running) hurts like thunder and then it's pretty much a constant dull ache. 

Darn thing just isn't getting better and while I can ride (with limited efforts) I pay for it afterwards; I have gone from a couple weeks with no activity and nothing changed.  My days have been spent on a decompression 'rack', stretching like mad, lite yoga, doing a lite (1 hour max) ride here and there (stopping and stretching my back every 15 minutes), and lite running a couple days a week (which oddly enough feels good).  All this is doctor and PT directed so I'm not flying by the seat of my pants.

Yesterday (Dec 31st) I ended my year with a steroid shot in my spine to see if that will reduce the inflammation and make daily movement less annoying (this morning it actually feels significantly better, but I have yet to really move around).  The bike garage is locked until Feb 1st (sigh) and outside of some yoga, stretching, and lite running there isn't much more happening on the 'bike' side of things. 

I have mentally good days and then seems more 'no so good' days trying to keep things in perspective.  It's been three months since 'the morning of Gateway Cross' when it all started and I am ready for it to be behind me so I am embracing 2013 with positivity and hopefulness.

Not sure if 'cross is in my future, but definitely will hit the crit and road scene as soon as the back allows, but how knows, maybe 2013 Dogfish Hermann will find me back on the start line and hungrier than ever (that's my secret desire)!  Crazy missed it this year...

The silver lining it was the first late fall/early winter that I spent pretty much every weekend with the family and not driving all over creation to the next race; it has been super good especially with the little guy.

Speaking of the kiddo, he is laying up against me now watching Dumbo; snuggled like he's always been here and it's pretty natural now.  He's been with us since June 2011 and while we were hoping to have the adoption finalized by Christmas 2012 it looks like it will be in February 2013.  Not a big deal as it doesn't change our day to day, but it'll be healthy for all of us to have some finalization and it will hopefully add another brick to his feeling of security and stabilization.  We all love him so much and it was great having a little guy (he just turned 7 and still believes in Santa) in the house at Christmas time.  Ian and Jake had a ball watching the buildup and Christmas morning.

On to Christmas morning and it did Deb and I's hearts well that Ian wanted to ready the Bible Christmas story (Luke) to us (normally I do it) before opening presents.  Perspective in our house starts with Christ's birth and the gift of eternal life before diving into the packages.

Ian and his b-ball team is killing it this year as they are 15-1 (winning two tournaments so far).  Middle school is trying to make him grow up fast than what we want, but at some time it had to happen (ha!). 



Program Select Tourney Champs

Lockwood Magic Tourney Champs

 

Jake is knocking out semester after semester working on his biology degree and we are seeing less and less of him since a certain little cutie caught his eye (and heart I believe) at SBU and right now he's out in Salina, KS during the break.  He's still longboarding tons and, much like a cyclist, already has four boards (each do a particular thing unique to the others) and no signs of stopping.  He's transitioning from a kid to an adult and while it's weird it's also a ton of fun making a new friend. 

Pictures coming at a later time, but for now that's what's shaking in my world...


Oh, speaking of Worlds, can't waiting for L'ville next month.  Hotel booked long ago and a great road trip with friends is on the horizon.