Friday, September 12, 2008

What Was Your First Clue

Friday... Finally. It was a cautious start to the week with Ike meandering around the Atlantic Basin. We were fortunately spared but my thoughts are with my niece and nephew-in-law in Houston. They have assured me they have a plan but hurricanes are nasty, unpredictable beasts. Be safe!

Today was the first of my follow-up visits from my initial consult with a new doc last week. He was concerned about some moles and I figure I live in the Skin Cancer Capital of the world I should get checked. I of course had a week of self examination in which I found one mole hiding in my arm pit. I think it winked at me one day as I obsessively checked on it. Alas, nothing to worry about, a clean bill of health for 2-3 years and a conversation on sub blocks. He recommend a Neutrogena spray on product -- a 30 SPF would be fine and lasts up to three non-greasy hours.

I had to chuckle when he asked me to drop my pants -- no, not in a rubber glove snapping way, just to check legs and feet. "you must be a cyclist" he said -- I was so proud of my newly shorn legs -- "you have some raised (insert medical term here) on legs." He didn't even comment on the chain bite scars I am sporting after Mountain Mama.

Tomorrow I am scheduled to do a 60 miler with Al for an early group ride. He insists it is important public relations to get familiar with the clubs if I want to open a shop. I couldn't agree more. I was scheduled to do 60 Sunday anyway. I am probably going to end up in the slowest group with recumbents and trikes. The fastest group travels at 28 MPH, me -- not so much.

Tonight a little neighborhood spin to put some Spänk in the shorn meat sticks and a good tall Belgian (ale).

Cheers to Brother Jeff (needs a moniker) who will be the recipient of a Cannondale R600 as he endeavors to start riding. It's never too late.

Spin On

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Back in the Saddle

Okay, I was very skeptical of Lance making a comeback. Then I read this article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/09/armstrong200809?currentPage=1

The line that changed my mind was that it is about the yellow bracelet, not the yellow jersey.

Plus he drops the F Bomb like crazy!

Spin On (Lance)

Monday, September 8, 2008

As The Wheel Turns

Last week was more "As the Stomach Turns" but things smoothed out for the end of the week. Ended feeling good about things.

I met with a new doc on Friday, not pleased with my old GP and really disappointed that I got no follow-up on my Holter results even when I specifically asked to set up an appointment. Great Doc, bad practice management. So off to a new Doc I went. Nice guy, just as freaked about hurricanes as I am -- Ike was looming in our future Friday. All in all I am in good shape. The elevated heart rates seem to be, in part, attributed to the inhaler I was prescribed for exertional asthma. He was still concerned though so he did an in office EKG which showed a spike -- maybe normal, maybe my circuitry is not quite right. Next step is to visit a cardiologist. And a dermatologist for some odd moles -- nothing surprising.

Friday night I had a meeting to take a step towards fulfilling my dream of owning a bike shop -- it is officially in the works now, just need time (and money).

Saturday I took Emily to the vet to give her a once over. She is acting REALLY odd at feeding time, lately refusing to eat and even heading outside. Just want to make sure it is nothing serious but we are quite concerned. Blood work, nails and an ear cleaning. New food to try. More to come on this topic.

I took Shilo to do a home visit. The lady passed the "Lab Test" especially when Shilo peed on her floor! She has never had an accident in our house -- just excited I suppose. The home-owner was very cool, laughed and cleaned up.

Rode 25 miles that afternoon. Didn't feel great in the 104º temps, but the humidity was low so it only felt like 103º.

Sunday I was up, readied and headed out for 55 miles. I did okay for the front half but the second part KILLED me. I bonked with about 8 miles and one significant climb to go. I felt like I hydrated plenty, maybe it was the heat, maybe it was lack of build up but I limped home at 11 m.p.h. The highlight was getting pulled over by a cop -- on a golf cart for running stop signs. Only on Sanibel would they chase you down on a (gas powered) golf cart. I listened to the lecture, apologized and was thankful not to get a ticket -- plus I didn't have my driver's licence with me... at least I signaled my turns. What cyclist doesn't try to outrun a mechanized vehicle? I spent the remainder of my ride contemplating going to jail and wondering why they called it the "pokie."

Alas, Emily's eating behavior got worse -- she cowers over her bowl, refuses to eat, only kibble on the floor. We are getting desperate to find a solution. Blood test so far show some elevated liver functions but noting significant. We are waiting for more results and trying to pin-point an event or environmental situation that is freaking her out. Add to that Shilo is acting stiff on her back legs after bouts of exercise...

Spin On