"Glutton for punishment"

Yes, that is what he called me! One of my old coaches from ski racing and former Pike's peaker called me a gluttton for punishment after seeing me at the bike race on Saturday. I know, I know it is possibly partly true. Most people do rest after doing the Pikes Peak Marathon rather than going out to do a bike race six days later. I had to do it though! I couldn't hold myself back. I was in second in the series and if I didn't do the race I would have been taken out so I had to hold off the girl behind me. I didn't go out to win or anything I figured I wouldn't do very well, it was the King of the Rockies: Tipperary classic race, which is almost 26 miles of mostly great single track riding. However, I started up tipperary I started slow and continued to feel surprisingly well! I ended up 3rd in my division and held onto my second place overall for the series. Also, I won the "road rash award" and got a $50 gift certificate to the Wild Creek/Untamed. Yes, that does mean that I crashed again. Don't worry I have not bumped my head at all. Now to add to my skinned knee from Pike's I have a skinned elbow and side, I am a little bit of a mess.
Here are my pics.

I Did It!!

Yep, that's right I successfully completed the Pike's Peak Marathon! I took 3rd for my age-group! I had one crash on the way down but I took Matt Carpenter's advice and got right up and ran really fast on the drenaline before the pain set in.
I was surprised the whole time that my head didn't hurt any worse than it had in the last two weeks and probably even felt better (or maybe I just had too many other things to worry about) Well, I made it to the top in 3:50 which was 5 minutes ahead of my goal time and I finished in 6:05. I wanted to break 6 hours but considering that I didn't even know if I was going to be able to do it a week ago I was very pleased. I ended up 24th overall. Here are some pics of the day.


This is me climbing right near the top...


And now we get to run down! Feels so much better!


This is my third-place award.

Yes

Well, the doc said I could run! Under one condition, that I am very prudent and if I experience any vision/balance problems or headaches I must call it and not push. I just really hope that I don't have any problems and I feel great by Sunday.
I just am so darn competitive that it is my downfall sometimes.
So, up up and away I will go...only 2 Days 12 hours and 55 minutes to Pikes Peak.

Oh, today was my first day back on the river as well!

Pike's

Yes, I suffered some other sort of brain disfunction back in March (other than concussion) and I signed up for the Pike's Peak Marathon. Yes, that is right...in less than 4 days I am going to run up Pike's peak and not only that I am going for the round trip and running back down to make it a full marathon.
I don't really think I have trained enough but I am still excited and nervous and wondering about my sanity all at the same time. Also, now, there is this whole concussion thing. I think I should be okay to run but I am getting so many different opinions from people. Some think I should not try to do it 2 1/2 weeks after my concussion and others think I will be okay. I am going to the Doc tomorrow for my follow up so we will see what he says. I can't not do it!! I have to do Pike's and it has to be this year!
I know I may be crazy....please don't tell.

Only in Colorado

So I had to post this because Drew and I found so much amusement in it. When I was in the hospital they give you all these papers...you know so you know what happened to you and how to take care of yourself and all that stuff. Well, they gave us this sheet on concussions. What is a concussion and what you need to know and all that.



Yeah, sorry it is a little blurry... If you can't read that it says
--Avoid any activity (including skiing) that could cause a blow or jolt to your head for at least one week.

Yes that is right they had to include in perenthesis skiing. We laughed and thought only in a Colorado ski town like Vail would they have to clarifly that in the things not to do.

Ambulance!

Wow it has been awhile since I have written in here sorry I have been so busy working. Well, I have some time now because I have a few days forced off of work.
Yep, Thursday when we were throwing boats onto the trailer at the end of our trip apparentlly I didn't duck enough and it took off my head. Well... at least it slammed my head into the trailer and then to the ground maybe. I don't really know I don't remember any of it. They had me on a backboard and an ambulance almost there by the time I remember anything. Apparently I didn't blackout but I was only A&O x 1 which means I was only alert and oriented to who I was. I didn't even remember the last 20 minutes of the raft trip or the fact that it was August until about the time we got to Vail Medical clinic. Well, there was a lot of blood for a very small cut of course, I only have two stitches in my head but it is very bruised and hurts. So, because of secondary concussion possibilities I am not allowed to do much for a few days, which meant I couldn't do the bike race today and I have missed a couple days of running for Pike's.
I am okay if anyone was concerned. My head hurts!