Some people and activities may have to take a back burner for now. When confronted with a social engagement or obligation, ask yourself: Does it tire me or does it inspire me?
-Kris Carr, Tip 13, "Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips"
Maybe both. Why not? That's what I decided tonight.
I haven't read "Crazy Sexy Cancer." I haven't seen the documentary either, although it is on my Netflix queue. I haven't even spent much time on her website. Something that's title begins with "Crazy Sexy" usually doesn't grab my interest or attention, but a magazine article about Kris Carr did and this was the tip I took away months ago already. I'm not sure if I've lived by it, but I've certainly spent time thinking about it.
Tonight was one of those nights. It was the bicycle club's first weeknight hill climb, something I've enjoyed for several seasons already. However, I knew it would be ugly. In truth, it wasn't much of a group ride for me either. I basically filled out the sign in sheet, said hello, and when we got to the bottom of the climb, said "See ya later!" to everyone there.
I've already pointed out my climbing time on the bike is basically double what it was a year ago. I am half as fast as I used to be. Curiously, in less than a mile from leaving the parking lot, I can get my heart rate up 15 beats higher than my previous maximum effort (a year ago), no matter how intense the interval. Fighting allergies, I expected my nose to run like a faucet causing further problems.
Despite all this, it was a great night. Yeah, I rode alone. I do a lot anyway. It was very windy, but warm enough and the skies were clear. The views were spectacular, and I fixed my nose problem by taking a 4x overdose on my atrovent nasal inhaler. (For the record, as a pharmacist, I do not condone nor recommend this behavior. But it worked.) It is still a little bit of a downer to be passed by absolutely everything on the road: Cars, cyclists, mtn bikers, senior citizens with walkers, etc. At one point, in the wind, I looked down and I was doing a whopping 3.7 mph. Actually, no, that's a lie. That happened at several points. Wow. I can walk faster than this. It took me longer than I'd hoped, but when I got to the top, I had enough left to do an optional loop, which is a first for the year.
I expect I'll make zero progress pretty much for most of summer. While riding, I got to thinking about that huge lymph node comfortably wedged between the top of my heart and one of my lungs. It may be big enough that it won't shrink all the way, even with chemo and radiation, that's what I was told. So I don't know if I'll ever get completely back to where I was. No sense worrying about it, though. May as well have as much fun as I can in the meantime.
I haven't read "Crazy Sexy Cancer." I haven't seen the documentary either, although it is on my Netflix queue. I haven't even spent much time on her website. Something that's title begins with "Crazy Sexy" usually doesn't grab my interest or attention, but a magazine article about Kris Carr did and this was the tip I took away months ago already. I'm not sure if I've lived by it, but I've certainly spent time thinking about it.
Tonight was one of those nights. It was the bicycle club's first weeknight hill climb, something I've enjoyed for several seasons already. However, I knew it would be ugly. In truth, it wasn't much of a group ride for me either. I basically filled out the sign in sheet, said hello, and when we got to the bottom of the climb, said "See ya later!" to everyone there.
I've already pointed out my climbing time on the bike is basically double what it was a year ago. I am half as fast as I used to be. Curiously, in less than a mile from leaving the parking lot, I can get my heart rate up 15 beats higher than my previous maximum effort (a year ago), no matter how intense the interval. Fighting allergies, I expected my nose to run like a faucet causing further problems.
Despite all this, it was a great night. Yeah, I rode alone. I do a lot anyway. It was very windy, but warm enough and the skies were clear. The views were spectacular, and I fixed my nose problem by taking a 4x overdose on my atrovent nasal inhaler. (For the record, as a pharmacist, I do not condone nor recommend this behavior. But it worked.) It is still a little bit of a downer to be passed by absolutely everything on the road: Cars, cyclists, mtn bikers, senior citizens with walkers, etc. At one point, in the wind, I looked down and I was doing a whopping 3.7 mph. Actually, no, that's a lie. That happened at several points. Wow. I can walk faster than this. It took me longer than I'd hoped, but when I got to the top, I had enough left to do an optional loop, which is a first for the year.
I expect I'll make zero progress pretty much for most of summer. While riding, I got to thinking about that huge lymph node comfortably wedged between the top of my heart and one of my lungs. It may be big enough that it won't shrink all the way, even with chemo and radiation, that's what I was told. So I don't know if I'll ever get completely back to where I was. No sense worrying about it, though. May as well have as much fun as I can in the meantime.
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Josh - too funny! While you were going 3.7 mph (up Lookout Mtn?) last night I was doing 4.7 mph up Lee Hill Road in North Boulder. So we can have a contest to see who can go the slowest up the hill on their bike without tipping over! Crazy cancer guys going uphill on their bikes. I too had the same reaction to being out on the road. Started with a group, ended up by myself, working like crazy and going really slowly. Then got the excitement of going 40 mph down Left Hand Canyon with a 25-30 mph cross wind. Crazy! And boy, it was great to be out there. Feeling alive and enjoying the experience, no matter how slow or painful it was. Keeping turning those pedals, bro! Things will keep getting better as those bad boy tumors get shrunk to nubbins and beyond!!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Josh! Glad to see you still plugging along on the bike, even if it is a little slower than you are used to. Next trip down this way when you are better, bring your bike and we'll go for a ride.
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