My Journey Back - Day 1

June 30, 2010 was a day that changed my life. I crashed on my bike commute and shattered my right humorous. I have been under strict physical restrictions since then. 

Just before Christmas I got a CAT scan which confirmed I have one of the many fractures which has healed/closed. The doctor said that since all the other fractures had healed well, it is no big deal. He released me to get active again with a 25lb lifting restriction and one of "if it hurts, don't do it." Also back to PT twice per week. 

Well, I've been away since then. This week is the first week where I can start working out again. I have no upper body strength left. I have wasted away in that regard. Legs too. So I am going to try to get to the gym 3 days per week to get things moving in the right direction again. 

I think I've put on some weight too. I'll weigh myself first thing in the morning to get that bad news. 

So, it is my sincere hope that I will be able to stick with a routine to get my physical fitness back by cycling season. Gym 3 days per week. PT two days per week. Mental health professional visits every-other week. That is the first part of the plan. The second part is to go back to hyper-low carbing. It worked for me before, it should again. 

I know there will be those who will take pot-shots at my plan and point out when I fail to meet the exceptions I am setting for myself. I hope to prove them wrong in a big way.

I will need all the POSITIVE support I can get as I am still dealing with some significant mental issues regarding the crash, life, and the road back to fitness.

Thanks to anyone who lends a hand to my journey back to fitness.

- Zin

 Sorry It took so long to post anything. I was at Diabetes Camp all last week and before that I was busy as all hell. Anyway I just wanted to say the race was awesome and I will never forget that experience. It was very exciting for me as I'm sure most of you saw in my eyes every two minutes. On a side note one of the TT1 Riders at the end of the race had asked me if I might want to ride with them next year. I will have to ask David, but I'm going to start training anyway. Hope all is well with everyone and hope to hear from you guys soon. Chris

 Race Day! 

Today we took the entire organization down to near the race start for a "meet-n-greet" for the local chapter of the American Diabetes Assn. We spend a few hours hanging out visiting with quite a few people, not only from the ADA, but also from local medical practices, and friends who live nearby. 

Starting the race today was myself and Peter Cowley. Pete and I would have to ride the first 28 miles unsupported. The first 13 miles was a "parade" through bike paths out to "the Bridge" where the official timed start of the race begins. The parade rolled along at an easy 16 - 18 mph. 

Once at "The Bridge" we lined up in order of team number for the official start in time trail fashion. It was surreal to line up next to my teammate at the beginning of a 3000 mile race! 3, 2, 1... We were off! Pete sprinted out in front of me, and I grabbed his wheel, as we had discussed prior. At the end of the bridge was a very narrow section of path which prevented side by side riding anyway. 

Pete and I rode hard keeping our speed over 20MPH for most of the way to where the climbs began. Here we slowed a bit for short time, then Pete told me to go on ahead on the climbs. Which I did. Climbing at near sea level was sure different than climbing at elevation here in Colorado. 

I'm happy to say we made pretty good time passing several other teams on the run through the unsupported zone of the race. Just before the last turn on our pull, I spotted a BikeJournal.com jersey on the side of the road and gave a shout out, but kept pushing. Everything is a blur, so I'm sorry, but I do not recall his name or bikejournal handle. 

We made the exchange, and Larry Cleveland (I think it was Larry) was off and hammering down the road. Team Type 2's inaugural entry in Race Across America was underway! 

In the team meeting the night prior the race start, Dave Eldridge, RAAM Master for Team Type1 and Team Type 2,  mentioned the "Glass Elevator" which was a big 2800' descent off the costal range into the desert floor. Dave expressed concern over the danger of this big descent. At the top, Team Type 2 had climbed just over 2700' from sea level. From the top of the "Glass Elevator" we would give back over 2800'  of elevation to the gods of pain by the time we hit the desert floor. 

Of my 4 person squad, I was the only one who had considerable mountain experience on the bike. So, I took the pull on the "Glass Elevator." The descent was steep'ish, but not to bad. It would wind back and forth down the mountain. But again, was not worse than anything I had faced in 3 years of riding in the mountains of Colorado. This would have actually been a fun descent if not for the Gale Force Winds! After the first mile or so, the wind would begin pushing me from fog line to fog line! The wind seemingly came from every direction. Pushing. Buffeting. Swerving. Bike control at 50MPH became unpredictable and unsafe. I slowed to around 30MPH. Still tricky, but manageable for the most part. After slowing a female rider of the 2 person mixed team passed me. As she did she yelled, "I've never been this scared on the bike before!" I had to agree as I swallowed my pride. My manhood. And my competitive attitude telling myself that crashing out to save face would be a selfish move. There were to many people invested in Team Type 2's efforts for me to blow it on day one because my ego wouldn't let a girl pass me on a dangerous descent. Did I mention that my front brake lever was open when I started this descent? The first corner was a bit tricky. 

The roads of the mountain straightened out and I came off the last few miles into the rider exchange at near 60MPH with a howling tailwind! We made the exchange where Peter took back over. Slightly down hill, and that awesome tailwind! For the next several hours, deep into the night, we would hammer through the desert of southern California. We were dedicated to giving Mark Thul's squad a good base to launch their first shift of RAAM09! 

 I stopped in to a local VSP Vision provider after work last night for an eye exam.

Vision Care Specialists, P.C. in Denver gave me great, even friendly service! I felt welcomed and right at home with each person I interacted with! I found this refreshing since my previous exams had been in those "eye care" places located in big discount stores like Walmart and Shopko where the service didn't compare. 

I was very impressed with the technology they had! They had this machine which took a digital photograph of the inside of my eyes! The technician said they could see 200% more of the eye than with a dilated exam! So, I paid the small fee to get this high-tech exam! Now, they will have these images for comparison over the years!

People with diabetes normally must undergo a dilated eye exam. Diabetes is hard on the eyes! In fact, my type 2 diabetes was diagnosed due to a vision issue. If it weren't for an eye doctor, I may have gone undiagnosed for many more years. Get a dilated eye exam people! Your vision is far to valuable to risk! 

We are going back this evening after work to pick out frames! WooHoo! I'll be style'n in new casual frames soon, and even better yet, for the first time in my cycling career I will have Nike prescription cycling shades thanks to VSP Vision's sponsorship of Team Type 1 and Team Type 2! 

Thanks VSP! 

Since I have been mostly low carb’ing and have dropped 10lbs of water weight. I intend to continue to LC to get my weight back down to the mid 180lbs range. I felt best at that weight. I think I looked fairly good too. 

Here after RAAM, I am in love with my bike again. Not just in love with it, but I seem to have this bug gnawing at me. This bug to do more races. I'm just not sure what races, or what type of races. Think I'll get with Keith to see about racing with Cobras. 

My vision for RAAM is a one-two finish for Team Type 1 and Team Type 2. How cool would that be? I have a plan and will be working to implement that plan over the next 11 months. 

Today's breakfast/lunch was a 4 egg cheese omelet using shredded "taco" cheese topped with taco sauce. It is important to make the food interesting. Helps keep me on track.  

I flew into San Diego early on Thursday. I met up with Daniel Snyder at the Denver airport and hung with him. Daniel is a nutritionist, and really cool guy. He has similar opinions about people with diabetes being encouraged to eat carbohydrates as I do. Generally makes no sense to encourage someone who has carbohydrate metabolism issues to eat carbohydrates. 

After a Starbucks fix, we headed out to the meeting place where our team van would pick us up for the trip up to Carlsbad. There we met up with Debbie Walsh. Everyone was excited to be there, and ready for the race to begin. 

The van showed up with Tom Schuler driving. We loaded my bike, and were literally off to the races. The ride to the hotel has some exciting moments due to traffic, and close calls. Crazy California drivers! 

I don't think the scope of this operation hit me until we pulled into the hotel parking lot. There I saw 4 RVs and several mini-vans. Wow, this is real! 

I set about assembling my bike, then assisting with other tasks as I as able. 

Friday morning was another early day. So much to do. 

I got a call from Patty telling me that she is pregnant!  WooHoo! What great news to start such an EPIC race and a wonderful father's day surprise! 

We had to take all the vehicles, riders, and equipment down to the race start for RAAM safety inspection. Of course we passed with flying colors. 

I met up with Bernie, an online friend from bikejournal.com. Bernie was riding for JDRF's 8 tandem team. Was nice to meet him, and visit a bit about RAAM etc... 

We all headed down to the mandatory RAAM pre-race meeting. All the teams were introduced, and some of the rules were reviewed. 

After the meeting it was back to the hotel. A quick ride to the beach and back. Then a full team meeting with both Team Type 1 and Team Type 2. Dave Eldridge reviewed many many details. I don't know how he was able to keep it all straight! 

Off to bed. Try to sleep. Nerves are high. Tomorrow, RACE START! 

What a week it was. I honestly was expecting far worse and for that I am grateful to all of you wonderful folks. We all did good.

My account of the Team Type 2 Great Adventure can be found at my blog here: http://rktect.blogspot.com/2009/07/2009-race-across-america-or-what-i-di...

Take care and have a great summer!

  Hey everyone! 

 Hey everyone! 

Please follow Team Type 2 in the Race Across America (RAAM) on Twitter! @teamtype2 athletes! @zinrider @projektyle @chaissonjr @runningon @PeterCowleyTT2 @mthul @saulzuckman