How does it go? I made plans. Then life happened. So it went with my leg. But that gets better every day. Now as to the "Velocity of change". First we have to mourn the demise of www.fatmarc.com . Seems as though that ship has sailed far enough for Marc. Understood.
The team kit for next year in PINK! Looks like the blue might fade away. Skinsuits would be really sweet. But I'll be in the Ommegangsters strip for CX.
Next we have three Americans making the podium at the Cyclocross worlds. First Danny Summerhill in the jr's. The Katie Compton in the Elite women.Yea East Coast! Finally after years of toiling in the trenches Jonathon Page gets a silver. Let's hope this translates into a team for him and some big bucks. Also it looks like a world cup cross is coming to America! Tenative date. Oct 5-6. Looks like I can return to RI and face my demons.
I'm sure the blogger Lonestarbear is having a field day with the annversary of W's "Axis of Evil" today. But he's probably busy as hell getting the new business of the ground. Good luck with the grand opening.
Ricky Carmichael taks another Supercross win. Bubba hangs tough for second after a few miscues. Chad Reed shows he' te real deal. Everyone else collects their salaries, except Tim Ferry who looks like h's really trying. I thought that would be Tedesco this year.
Vilipoto killed the Lites division. Can't wait to see how Dungey fairs in the East.
Look at the that. Not a single mention of food. OGQ

Rinse,lather,repeat.
That's what life has been like for me. Get up. Put on my "stockings". Have breakfast. Surf the net a bit. Do my exercises. Then on the bike for 40-60 minutes.
Thanks god for the DVR and the food channel. Then it's a shower. It's almost lunch now. Rinse, Lather, Repeat. Wait for the "gourmet meals on wheels".

Now the Monday night dinner club met here this monday. We did Theos ( a local BARBQ ) In honor of MLK day, a bit late. We had wings, hot and sassy, sweet and spicy, ribs, cornbread,collard greens,sweet potatoe fries and slaw. Theo's wing are the best,big and meaty. Home brewed beer to wash it all down with.

Five week update from the DR.

Another set of Xrays. The "electric toothbrush" looks good.

So I'm waiting to see the Dr. in the exam room. Hmmm, no magazines or anything to read. So I figure I'll do my exercises.
So I'm at the sink doing dips when he walks in.

He comes in and sees me doing the exercises and says "That's a first." We discuss the questions I have for him.
He gives me the go ahead to start "pushing a bit" on the bike. His words.
He also questioned if I needed PT any more. I'm supposed to start walking a bit without the cane. But try not to limp.
Overall a good report.
I'll be back to work after next week. Starting with half days.

Dealing with this type of injury is an eye opener for me. But as I've said "It could have been worse". Still minor on comparison t D's cancer. While at the grocery store I saw a 20 something girl on crutches with one leg. Point made.

So with the go ahead I to ride a little harder I can set a plan.

Enjoy life.

On the Ipod Tom Waits, Bone Machine Drive By Truckers, Gangstabilly and Alabama Ass Whooping.

It had to happen. Tuesday,I crashed and burned. My leg was so sore and grumpy. O It needs a rest. Just like training. Recover as hard as you train. But today mentally it cracked me. I decided to do less and give it a break. So the brain gives the command te muscles fire but the leg doesn't move. Try again. So I help it with my hand. Better. Try a different one,same thing. OK it's tired. I'll spin for awhile and loosen it up. Back on the bed. Crash out like a light. Same scenario is repeated in the sfternoon. Nothing. ZIP. SNOOZE. Pay attention to your body. Back to sleep I go. Man what a day. These don't happen often in my life.

Of note. It's amazing howmany people ask "So When are you going back to work?" Not, How are you doing or is it healing well?. Work will always be there. I don't want to turn this into a nagging problem . Sure I want to get well as fat as possible. But that doesn't mean get back to work as fast as possible. Suer I have days where I think I could. hen I have a "sleep day".

Wed, PT worked me good. We did some new balance exercises and lunges again. They hurt.
Then she watched me spin on the bike.
News from my ortho doctor. I asked should I work on strength or spin (hi rpms)?

Neither....don't push it too hard. Just go for the motion. You can pull the bone apart if you push too hard. Your training can not start until the bone is healed...and then you are out of my domain.

Great guy my doctor.

Slept late again. But mentally there now. Out of the hole of tuesday.
So it's off to practice the balance and spin.

Thanks to Mike M for another great meal.

Here it is. A clean shaven mug. Man, my face is on fire despite doing all to softenit up for the final removal. I'll see how it goes. So I'm told I look younger.

Another fine meal last night by the " Chef D'Jour Program" We had Thai, Mexican and Indian. As well as beer from Belgium and Ommegang. The dessert tray overflowed too.

Despite their best efforts I was 148lbs yesterday. Not sure how,but I'll take it.

Now today is about goals. Where will I be with this leg in 1,3,6 and 12 months. I know in my heart. I want to return to Kross. Also I miss those 80 mile hill rides. There's trails to learn here.

Reconnect.

Pt wll be here soon to put me throug my paces. Only three more days of in house PT. Then it's outpatient. I'm going to put the speedplays back on and see if I can clip in now. Nothing like some onelegged drills.

Work looms on the horizon. OGQ

Follow the rules. PT worked me over again today. I'd hit the trainer for a half hour to get the leg going. Now it's time to do sets of three by 15's of the exercises. Now some of these are incredibly frustrating as the leg barely moves and tires quickly. But gains come. So I grunt through them.

The news is I'm on a cane now unless tired then it's the walker.

I watched Off Road to Athens last night. A good flick about cycling. Check it out.

Cliff's in charge of "Meals on Wheels" tonight. The Dr. said "Eat,Eat" and I am.

Well I couldn't find a cowboy. So got on the bike yesterday. It was like a jungle gym getting on the bike. It all felt foreign. Odd. At first I could only pedal 270 degrees front or back. Then I could do 360 backwards. Then front. Didn't want to push it as the leg was really tight. Can't get clipped in yet either. But just getting on the bike was a success.

Saddle up.

Pops and Woofie brought in a fine fish dinner last night. The usual suspects were here for a high caloric intake. I even gave up the pain meds for a glass of wine. Thanks.

Since I can't get to The Art of Shaving for my straight razor beard removal. I started cropping.

A bit each day now. Then I'll be clean shaven for the first time in 25 years. But I'll grow it right back for that straight razor treat.

Margaret, Phil and Mark stopped by for a visit yesterday. Margaret is the NY Kween of Kross. She has been to every CX race I've promoted. All the way back to when I gave handcrafted jewelry as prizes. She just keeps rockin' the KX circuit.

Well, she called me from San Francisco at the hospital and said is there anything I can get you? I said "Sure, A man." She did. Who knew there was a Male Nurse Action Figure. They also added some seasonal ales. What more could I ask for? NADA,Zip.

Karen brought dinner tonight. Fantastic homemade bread, salad and seafood lasagne. Weight gain will not be a problem. OGQ

So here I am getting ready for cross next year. Or maybe the track with these short cranks.

Either way a btter day. Took a walk today. Nice.

More food and friends on the way.

I got out of the house to go t the Dr's. It was a warm 50+ out and felt great to be outside. Where's my bike? So the Dr's. office is the usual. Fill out the forms and wait. I get to see Dr. Schenk, again. He treated me after I blew out my shoulder in Moab. He rides too. So we talk about how it feels. Where treatment is headed. I get sent for Xrays. That xray table really brought out how bony my ass has gotten from this. Three X rays later. I'm headed back. The long halls are a treat to walk. I'm now on full weight bearing,according to pain.

He shows me the Xrays points out the progress. The screws look cobby. Like they need a nut on the end. He gets the pieces and I see the real thing. Pretty.

He gives the go ahead to get on the trainer. I have about 84 degrees of motion in my leg. But can't lift it off the bed yet. Now the biggest worry is clots. Let's hope not.

The food continues to pour in. He asked if I was eating OK. Sure am!!! He said that's good it takes a huge amount of calories to mend.

Pizza last night. Ahhh the simple things. Another simple thing. I now can put on my compression stockings, a big step and another prison eliminated.

I'm sure Daves smiling that I'm progressing.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Rehab is the toughest traing of all. You do an hour or more of exercises and wonder what it does for you. It doesn't fell like a workout. Even though you know it's good for you. The PT worked the hell out of my legs tues. It was sore all night and the next day. The hip doesn't hurt a bit. But the quads are really tight and I can almost bend the knee at 90 degrees now. Odd that the knee is the problem. When I massage the leg you can feel a big knot just above the incision. You can even lift a big section of muscle. Atrophy is fast in athletes,somethng like 3 to 1. Even my right calves are smaller. I been on this road before. It will all come back. Just have to be patient. Tough for the ADD poster child. Just take a lesson from Dave Panella and make each day my best. No bitching.

On the plus side. I cleared another "prison" this am. I was able to put my compression stockings on by myself.

Frank brought a killer seafood bisque( here's that food teme, Carl) and dessert last night. A cake and Ben and Jerrys. I ate and promptly feel alseep afterwards. ZZZZZZ Woke up to the phone in time to shoot up my blood thinners might have missed that one if it wasn't for the phone call. Thanks Tom L.

Today brings more PT. Car transfers ans stairs today. Weird teaching yourself to walk again.Then my Dr's appointment for my check up. The Xrays came. I couldn't see the breaks. But if I get to keep them,the one will make a cool shadow box. The pics of the Ti bits in me are cool. That one piece is quite big. Maybe Litespeed made them?

I am in awe of how my friends have rallied around me to help. Meals have been brought in. I've eaten like a king. Cookies,let's not forget those holiday treats too.
Bob,Bob,and Bob have all helped with physical therapy. Henk kept the cats entertained in my abscence. Dawn,Henk,Dan and Audrey have fed me well. Phone calls pour in. Bob M pulls morning duty. First I conquered the "prison" of bed by being able to get in and out of it. Now I'm a prisoner of my compression stockings. I can't put the one on by myself. But not the other.
PT today was hard. The leg just doesn't want to get to that 90 degrees. I send the signals,it gets so far and then it's pain city. I don't mind the pain. But it just doesn't go. It's part of it. I know apply myself to this like it's for the bike. It is.
Back t my friends. Thanks you all. You know I'd do the same for you. OGQ

Day 5. So I m supposed to be sitting up for breakfast. But the Barracuda won't let me. "Not you honey, You pass out. Not on my shift". Grrrr. So get Karen to help me. I feel a bit better.
PT will come after lunch today. My success is measured by my getting out of bed and on the commode and back. Without blacking out. When PT comes I take a stroll down the hall with them. We do some exercises. I smile. I'll be going home soon.
My roomies friends bring dinner. Fried chicken,rice and chorizo, bean soup nd a salad. Killer food. I eat too much.
At midnight I'm somewhere in between drugs and sleep. I smell the smell of a funeral parlor. A hand touches mine,gently. I think it s the Angel of Death. The scent is stonger now. I say I'm not ready to go. It turns out to be a nursae to check my vitals. Her secnt trails away with her. I'm happy I'm still here. She will return again at night.
OK Blogger still won't upload my pics.
Lets' fast forward. I get the good to go signal. The weather has been nice all week. Tere is a storm in the forecast. We ask if everything is in order. Yes it is. We're told. You'll be able t leave first thing in the morning,oh 8:30. Good.
So I'm up and ready to roll. Nope forget it. We need to do this and that. We leave at 3pm as it begins to rain. I just fit in the back seat of the car. Comfortable enough. I can look to the back and to the side. It begins to rain. Long story short it rains the whole way home. It could have been fog.
Now comes the next hurdle getting my scrips filled. Will the pharmacy be open? Do I have to get out of the car? Well they're open and only carry one of the scrips. The one I have to inject. Whew. Thats good. So we get home at 10 pm. I'm wiped. I know Bob is from the crazy weather drving. But I'm home. HOME.

Day three now it gets ugly. Narcotics and I don't get along. So I'm not taking the pain meds. If I lay still I'm Ok. But the pain will go from 0-8 like that. So you're saying take the meds. If I do I get killer headaches. It's a toss up. Now the dietician did come to see me. So my meals will improve. More fruit,veggies and less meat. The cool thing is my roomies wife brings dinner. Trout,schrimp, cod,veggies and rice. Yummy.
The next ugliness is due to my loss of blood and low pressure. I keep passing out trying to get up on the walker. I'm talking blue flashes sounds like you're going under water down for the count. Not a bit of dizzyness. KO'ed by my own body. I have to be able to walk under my own power to leave. Not happening. The incision is leaking quite a bit and my leg is swollen to epic proportions.
Day four is more of the same. PT wants me sitting up on the edge of the bed for breakfast. But the Barracuda won't help me. So I get some help. We try PT again. I go down hard the second time. I'm floating and it feels good. It's because they've caught me and I'm being lowered into bed. I smile and nod out again and into sleep. They will come again.
Sure enough right after lunch. But I've been sitting up. I'm seeing my success. Sure enough. Up I go out the door,down the hall to the elevators and back I go. I'm winning! I celebrate with a nap. My roomie brings fried chicken, rice and beans, a salad and soup. A damn I'm hungry.
From total low to total high in one day.

Surgery. The Dr comes to see me. It's all a clean break,looks good. We've talked how anethesisa wipe me out. I get sick, I don't wake up. Bad Bad things happen.
I could never be a junkie. Unedr three hours and I back in the room. Not feeling bad. I'm allowed to eat. But all I want to do is sleep. I get a new roommate. He's a wreck ahs RI' largest kidney stone in him. It's the size off a quarter. Ouch. More people now that I've had surgery. This is where the BARRACUDA comes in. What a bitch! Rude. She's nasty to both of us. y roomies family comes in. Good people.
I need a break from typing have to move the leg.

Day one in the hospital. No food because I'm going to surgery. My leg is in traction. I can't move off my back. Narcotics are wreaking havoc on me. They managed to hit veins all kinds of them.
Then comes the catheter. That hurt even with the pain meds. But wait. You're not draining. So they pull it out and try again. No luck. Zip out it come again, in it goes again. Can you feel that? Oh draining now. Turns out they can't get he surgeon. Have some ice chips. No food again. Surgery tomorrow. My first roommate goes home. He had a disc replaced. The list of people who touch you in the hospital is crazy. I gave 9 vials of blood to one. Someone is always taking your vitals. Most of them are very nice until....................The Barracuda.

So we drove up to RI in pleasant weather. Everything was going according to plan. Rolled into town early,got unpacked. Hit the trainer and did the workout. Showered and took a walk. Had some dinner at Union Staion Brewery, Tasty. Then back to pick up the numbers. Very organized. Ran into lots of people. The Delaware Cross Crew many sporting the new coifs or facial hair.Off to bed with dreams of a great ride tomorrow.

Made the pre race meal in the room,suited up and headed out. Found the best pit in the venue and got ready for some pre ride then warm up. I tucked in behind three of the best in the country, Paul Curley,Scott Wade and Tom Stevens. They fanned out the breadth of the course and would discuss lines through each corner. After tw0 laps of survey they cranked up the speed and I flowed behind them. Not race pace but enough to get your feel for traction and lines. Off to the trainer, a few minutes spin and head to the staging area. We're well covered with help.

All set the gun goes off, a top twenty start. Not the best legs,but they don't feel dead. Mike Connair comes by. It's a sea of riders. Legs are coming around with three to go. punch it hard up te pavement. The diesel has fired up. Coming up on one of the pavement/ dirt transitions.

His front wheel crabs under and we both go down. Now I know on impact I'm not getting up. I've never hit like that,even on the motorcycle. He asks if I'm OK. The orld is spinning now. I roll to my back. Riders yelling at me. I'm up on my elbows the medics are there. I can't move my leg. They tell me on three they're going to move me. Near black out from the pain. Now i'm being prepped for the board. Please don't drop me. I'm in the ambulance. Paul has arrived is telling me it's all being taken care of. I worm out of the skinsuit and they pull it off. Naked except for my undershirt hey start to try to get IV's going. The guy can't hit my veins. So it's more pain. Off we go to Roger Williams Medical Center. Emily and Diane have brought Bob. What a team I have. he lady asks we what are your possesions? Uhhh my undershirt a watch and glasses. Yup that would be me naked homeless guy from the park. We look at the wound.

Pretty lame. Emily and Diane have to get back. They have Fatmarcs race kit. The usual ER weirdness closes in around me.

That seemingly little brush burn has netted me a femur broken in three places. Snapped the head off and the two parts that hold the muscle on. Surgery tomorrow I'm told. Tom McD is in charge of the car. Seems the crew has never seen the Jetta City only my truck. Takes them awhile to find it. Then unravels it's mysteries to operate it. Tom is not happy with my vehicle.

But it's cool he and Leo drop by.

OK faithful readers here's your chance to win a Koveted NY Kross Kontingent hat. THE LAST ONE ! Whoever picks my finishing position(or closest to it) for Nationals Friday gets it. Post in comments by 9:30 am Friday. Tiebreaker is time of post. OGQ

So it's now three days till Nationals. I've stared at these signs for a long time. At this time of the year no one rides hard around here. So it's make due on weekends and pound the trainer on weeknights. All that's left is "openers" on thursday and do it on Friday. Two of the three goals have been accomplished. We'll know soon enough. Plan to work,Work the plan.

You must believe to achieve. I plan on having a ride like I did for Dave's race Friday. Later, OGQ

It's official I'm now a "Gangsta" make that an
"Ommegangster". For someone that's "retiring" from racing. I'm already stoked for racing Cross next year in Belgian colors. For my critics. Yes,I'm not racing till maybe August. I never said I'd hang up the bike. I love it too much.
Went to the beer store and they are ready for Christmas with all kinds of Belgian Ales. Yummy , a few left with me.
OGQ

Now is this ever Crossers' dream? I was asked to join a team that will be sponsored by the brewery Ommegang. We're talking Belgian beer and culture here. Right in almost my own backyard. They even want to have a CX race at the Brewery someday. Waffle, Beer, Chocolates and Cross!

Like the Beatles song Eight Days a Week,that's all till Nationals.

Isn't that a sweet kit?