Good news for my heart

On Tuesday, my cardiologist that I might have blockage in one of my arteries according to my MRI. So not good news... he recommended I get a femural catherization of the heart.
I just got back from the procedure and the news is NO blockage. I'm a bit nauseas and can't ride until at least Monday but at least I'm not out of riding for good. I'll probably meet with my doctor again and will ride soon.

Fort Custer Stampede

Yesterday Dave and I did 1 lap at Addison Oaks. I recorded it with my camcorder but it was slightly crooked. I'll have to refilm it at another time for my winter trainer DVD I'm gonna make. We were gonna do a second loop but Dave insists there was a leech on his leg.... right!
Fort Custer was better for me that last week at Bloomer. I didn't have any chest pains during the race and none of the other RBS riders passed me. I took some tylenol (doctor recommended) before I rode to help with the chest pains. I rode really hard and still didn't come in any place of worth. 16th out of 20 or so... Brandy and I got a bit too much sun.. our skin is hot now... I'm really tired but will hopefully be out riding again tomorrow. Miles to date: 477

2 news updates

1st: went for a fun ride with Brandy, Jen and Art to Addison Oaks on Tuesday. We had a lot of fun and everyone did really good. The people must have raked the whole trail because there were no leaves on the trail. I brought a video camera, rode ahead and took some action shots of Jen and Brandy... hopefully I'll have some posted soon. Miles to date: 450.

2nd: Went to the cardiologist today. did 3 hours of tests... temporary results are that my Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is pulling on the side of my heart and that's what's causing the pain, especially during exercise. Though I didn't go above 160bpm on the stress test... like what? I'm usually 180 for exercise, 160 is slow.. I wasn't even running. I'm wearing a monitor now and until tomorrow. And in spite of my doctor telling me not to race sunday... or just to (ride for fun) I'll still be at the Fort to push myself once again.

Bloomer Race Day Results

It was another beautiful day for a race. We got there early to see the expert/elite riders do the switchbacks. My group started at 1, so I started warming up around 12:20. I was feeling good during the warmups and was making sure my new brake pads on my front brakes were working ok. I lined up at the starting line but ended up in the second row. I started off in the long line of riders into the singletrack. First section, someone fell and I was stuck behind them. First climb, someone fell and caused another traffic jam. I knew I was falling behind. By the time I came out of the second switchback, Daves group... which left a minute after me had caught up. I was pushing myself as hard as I could. I began having chest pains and felt dizzy a few times. I knew it wasn't from nutrition because I had a good breakfast this morning: 10 grain cereal. I did well on all the sections and only slipped once not making it an official fall. Problem was I'm just not as fast as the other sport riders. For a while during the ride I said "Maybe it's time to admit my defeat and quit from riding" then I thought "Maybe is actually something I cannot control... like my chest pains and my heart conditions." So I ended up 6th of 8. First lap was 36, second was 37 and third was 37. After I made it through the finish line, I was seeing stars for a while and decided that I'll make an appointment for my doctors soon and see if there are any problems. Next week is Fort Custer so hopefully I can get in before then. Miles to date: 443

Another Bloomer Pre-ride

Went out this time with Art and Matt. It was really muddy this time. Like riding on crisco. Art kept saying how out of shape he was. We checked out the Velodrome and I saw a fat raccoon. Miles to Date: 425

Bloomer race Pre-ride

I went to do Bloomer again on Tuesday to practice for the race. At the parking lot, I saw Dale. He waited for me and we rode together. We did 2 laps, and each were pretty quick in my opinion, but always slow for Dale. We added in the river loops totaling 18 miles. It was good watching him in the singletrack....where I need help the most. Hopefully I'll be ready by Sunday. Miles to date: 418

Ridin Bloomer with the Wife.

Well I planned on riding alone today and warming up before the race sunday. Brandy called and said she wanted to go. We stopped at RBS to drop off the tent and headed to the parking lot. We parked on the CRT and rode to the bottom of the course. not much mud until we started working our way to the top. We made it to the first climb and brandy made it all the way up without stopping. She was dead and we saw Robert from Tailwind so I helped him for a minute setting up a temporary bridge over a muddy stream. We got back to our way and she was doing good till the other side of the soccer field. She had a huge anxiety attack for a 10 strip of mud that you couldn't walk through or around... just had to go through it. She made it through and began to cry... the male side of me still doesn't know why. now the way back down... was good all the way...except for her first fall at the tight tree spot. hard climb back up... couldn't make it but she walked. around the corner overlooking the ledge was good. I had her skip the quick down and up again and met her at the snake section.... that was her nightmare... she hated every snaking inch. She was really tired so I had her skip the second snake section and we went to the last downhill. I told her to walk down since it was too scary and I rode the wall as she waited for me. The last section she did good round the river and out to the parking lot. She fell a few times and was breathing hard most of the time but she did good. It's awesome she even wanted to do bloomer with me. She can't believe that I've got to do 3 laps of this sunday though I don't think its that bad. Will try to get out there again tomorrow. maybe the rest of the family will come..hint, hint. Miles to date: 400