Year end Ramblings of a bike riding, gimped up, Norseman

Well 2008 is drawing to a close. What, if anything, can I remember about 2008? Maybe if I go month by month, I can come up with something.

January - Great month. My daughter was born on the 8th. After 8 years of trying to have a baby through various medical procedures and failed adoptions, we finally experienced the miracle of life. The greatest day of my life. I'll never forget the feeling. Less than a week later, my wife has emergency surgery because of complications with the birth. Things didn't look good for a while. One of the worst days of my life. I'll never forget the feeling.

February - Snow, snow and more snow. One of the snowiest winters in recent memory. Man did my shoulders hurt.

March - Bought my wife her Trek WSD 3500. Rode it home in the snow.

April - First ride of the season with Jonny K and Plopper. 40 degree temps. 25 MPH winds. Let Jonny K introduce me to the world of blogging (thanks Jonny).

May - Kind of a blur. Watched allot of Brewer baseball. My wife had her 1st (and may I add long awaited and well deserved Mother's Day).

June - Had my 1st Father's Day. Went to a reenactment of an 1860's baseball game. Now that was cool (going again this year). Horrible flooding! I literally saw people going past my house in canoes. FDLWI was declared a disaster area. Only by the grace of God did I not have ANY flood damage. All my neighbors did.

July - Again, kind of a blur.

August - Jonny K talks me into doing the Earth Ride in September. I start actually training to do the 25 mile ride. I love it. Start jogging in the mornings too. Really started to get into this blogging thing.

September - Do the Earth Ride with energy left over. See the Big Cat for the first time in years and am glad to see someone else I know with a passion for riding.

October - Ride the Wisconsin Offroad Series Wigwam MTB Challenge. First race I've ever done. realize I need work. Decide to do a bike build.

November - continued with training rides until the snow fell.

December - one word...ankle.

So what kind of fun are we going to have next year?

I want to ride more. My goal is 650 actual miles on a real bike (not including stationary and cross training). I want to do more charity rides. I want to do more MTB races and endurance challenges. I need to become more physically fit.

I want to read more and watch T.V. less (except for baseball - although I can listen to that on the radio).

I want to simplify my life and appreciate what I have more.

I want to continue blogging with all of my readers and I hope to continue to build this "Trail Dog Network" as I think of it. This blogging can be a pretty cool thing.

Had enough rambling? Okay. Happy New Year to everyone! May it bring you peace, joy, health, prosperity, and great trail conditions.

Kippis,

Craigers

I think my ankle is "screwed up"

As promised, here is the ultra sound of my surgically repaired ankle. One plate and seven screws. Went to the Doc again today. Incision looks good. He's still going to make me sit on my arse for another week. Then another 4 weeks until I can start walking without crutches. Puts a damper on my daughters first Christmas, but at least it's me and not her with the injury. It's going to be slow going in my life for awhile. Don't worry Big Cat, I'm still planning on 50 for Earth Ride. Guess I'll just need to train harder. Been starting to read Jill Homer's book, "Ghost Trails". Not a bad read so far, I'm 5 chapters in maybe. I've been trying to actually NOT read too much of it as it makes me even more anxious to get up and move.

That's it for now I guess. I hope everyone has a great Christmas. Especially to Jonny K, Big Cat, and Northwoodsguy and their families. Talk at you all soon.

Kippis,

Craigers

I'm back!

Hey everyone. Thanks for all your warm wishes on the last post. I have made it through the surgery and the 5 days of R&R (which my wife strictly enforced). It is now day 6 and let the rehab begin. I'll get into more detail in my next post (I even have an ultra sound that the doc gave to me so I can show everyone my "implant") Just wanted to let you guys know I'm alive. More to come soon.

Kippis,

Craigers

Under the Knife!

That's what I get for being a good father and trying to prevent my daughter from getting hurt. (I wouldn't change it for anything cause she didn't get hurt). My cautious optimism has change to a "you gotta be sh*tt%ng me" moment.

My orthopedic doctor has advised me that he has the cure for my broken ankle....cold steel. That's right friends, the Trail Dog will now be the Bionic Trail Dog for '09. Fresh out of the lab with a titanium plated lateral malleolous (aren't you impressed that I know that?). I don't know if it's really titanium, but it sounds so cool. Right now, I'm just looking for anything good about having ankle surgery. Maybe I'll be able to play hockey again? Or have a 20 ft. vertical (look out LeBron)? Nah, I'll just be happy to walk without crutches, or have to rely on someone to put my pants on for me(TMI).

At any rate, say a quick prayer to the Big Guy for the Trail Dog tomorrow around Noon CST. I'll see you on the flip side (provided I don't take too many "mind expanding" drugs).

Kippis,

Craigers

2008 Officially Over

I'm calling 2008. Game over. Yesterday I fell in a parking lot and broke my ankle. I was carrying my daughter, and luckily I compensated in mid fall so she would land on top of me. Unfortunately, the same compensation that saved her from injury, fractured my ankle. I'm on the shelf for at LEAST 2-3 weeks (ER doc said 4-6 but I'm optomistic). I see an orthopedic specialist on Thursday to find out when I can start moving again without crutches.

If anyone has any good training ideas for a guy with one bad wheel that can only really train one leg and upper body, let me know. You know, you never really realize how much you need all you faculties until you loose the use of one. Let the rehab begin. Hopefully the Trail Dog will be back better than ever for 2009.

Kippis,

Craigers

Does shoveling count as crosstraining?

So I didn't get my usual cardio in on Monday morning due to the snow. I shoveled instead. This made me think. Does shoveling really count as a workout? I mean when I'm done, I'm breathing heavy, just like biking or running. Later that day, my shoulders and arm tend to get a little sore, just like strength training.

How much shoveling does one have to do, to equal a morning run or ride? How many calories does 30 minutes or shoveling burn? I did some research.

According to the federal government (surgeon general to be exact), just 15 minutes of shoveling snow counts as "moderate" exercise. So their theory is that 30 minutes of shoveling snow would fit into the "30 minutes - 3 times a week" exercise plan. They also suggest that you warm up and stretch before doing any shoveling. Shoveling can be compared to bent over rows as far as strength training is concerned. Just remember, the federal governments standards also say that Michael Jordan is overweight.

On a side note, Crazy Joe's Cane Creek Headset finally showed up from China (took about a week longer than anticipated). Kinda neat to se a customs sticker in Chinese. Sorry if me buying it from China offends anyone, but I believe in free trade (and cheap prices).

Kippis,

Craigers