Just like a Halloween candy bowl, this edition of RWTD is wonderful mix of sugar coated goodness. So lets dig in quickly before the neighborhood kids show up and trick or treat all the tasty tidbits away.
Personal Update
Since my back wasn't healing as quickly as it should have been, my physical therapist referred me to a Doctor of Orthopedics for further evaluation. From my perspective I could not have been referred to a better D.O. in Northeast Ohio. Not only was he a former team doctor for the Cleveland Indians, he is also an active cyclist that competes in duathlons and (as a plus) totally understands the discipline of cyclocross. So after being pricked, poked and prodded (lines stolen from UNBEATABLE - A Bold New Musical) the doctor said I either had a herniated disk or sciatic nerve damage. Herniated disks and sciatic nerve damage are very slow to heal so basically there's not much you can do for either situation other than taking a regimen of Prednisone and a wait and see approach. The Prednisone did its job but it came with a host of side affects like:
• Bloating/weight gain – There are times when I look like I'm 2-3 months pregnant. And thanks again Dan for noticing this week that I'm starting to get a double chin. I guess that’s what teammates are for, huh.
• Migraine headaches.
• Lack of focus.
• Nightmares – One nightmare was so overpowering that I almost leapt out of bed to tackled Laurie as she was getting ready for bed. In the nightmare I thought she was a burglar coming to do harm to us. Yeah... I guess subconsciously I'm still dealing with the hotel break in that happened this summer in Phoenix.
• Inability to sleep.
• Uneasiness/anxiety.
• Quick to anger – As an example I'm flipping off 80% more hypermilers than usual on the commute into work.
• And as a whole I just don't feel like my normal self.
Still it’s been worth it all because this Wednesday the doctor says I'm healed enough to get back in saddle. Just riding close to home or on the trainer is what's prescribed, but no racing. And for the record John, he was very clear on the NO racing. If things continue as they should the doctor believes that I'll be able to participate in the last one or two cross races of the season. So much for best-laid plans of a full season of cyclocross racing.
Economic Stimulus
To help kill the psychological pain of missing cyclocross racing, I started down the path of pippin' out the Zanconato. Now in reality the bike didn't need one thing. You'll have to trust me on this since most of you haven't seen the bike. But as built the Zanconato was put together with some of the finest cross-parts on the market. Other than killing psychological pain I also felt it was my patriotic duty to help drive our country out of the economic recession by spending some money. Though this could be viewed as being self-serving. It's true that it’s in my best interest to spend the money that I’ve earned now before socialism (and don't be fooled... Obama and McCain are both socialists) is voted into the White House and the redistribution of wealth is enacted. So with the help of Zank putting me in contact with Molly Cameron I was able to score some sweet, hand-made, French tubular tires.
These FMB Sprints will set the bike up for dry, fast course conditions and the FBM SSC wheel set will be used for muddy, nasty courses. The Sprint wheel set hasn't been built yet but it will be very similar to the SSC's set up. Working with Molly was a pleasure too. He was very helpful and friendly. Plus he included a signed postcard with the tires! That for me was icing on the cake.
Political Observation
Speaking earlier of politics, it seems that every Presidential election there tends to be one candidate that gets vilified as the Anti-Christ. And this time around it appears that it’s Barack Obama's turn to hold the pitchfork. All joking aside I really hope that he is the biblical Anti-Christ that's been described in Revelations. It just means that Christ is all that much closer to coming back to earth and I'm one more step closer to going to heaven with Him in the rapture.
Have a happy and safe Halloween everybody!
