3580+ miles in less than 72 hours... July 25th 2013

[Shoganai]

I likey!

:D

Found Gwen a tour bus. Check out the last picture.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/rvs/3968236900.html

[Shoganai]

Today I'm going thru pics and data.

Thanks to all who followed and supported my effort.

It was the hardest ride I've ever done and I didn't realize how hard until the day AFTER I was off the clock. With all the adrenaline gone there was almost nothing left to keep me upright.

I felt like I was hung over with no desire but for more sleep and no reserve to engage in any activity.

The ride from Eastport to Boston was the hardest and the next day home was better but not great. I stopped often to rest and twice for blown fuse issues that need sorting out.

Today I feel normal so I'll be replying to emails and PM's, working thru my pictures and cleaning the bike. I've already started a list of things that need to be addressed, repaired, modified or changed.

I'll also be going thru pics and compiling the data for the IBA Certs.


On a side note, I don't believe I could do another LD ride until I have my C6-C7 fused. I've put it off for several years now and as high a tolerance of pain that I have, this ride may have put me over the edge.

For 70% of the ride I was in mild pain (scale 5 to 6)
20% almost pain free.
But for 10% I was in tearful, writhing agony.

The nerve compression is causing deep, searing, unrelenting upper back, left shoulder and left arm pain. By the end at Eastport my left arm felt twice as heavy as my right and on the way home I could barely use it to pilot the bike.


I need to have 3 major surgeries over the next 24 months so I don't know if I'll be ready to ride out to visit Duck in 2015.

I love me some Duck and will do whatever it takes to spend some more awesome time in his company.

I hope so though and that is the goal I'm setting for myself. I also need to continue to loose weight and get physically in better shape.

[BexarWolf]

I think the issue with your pain factor begs to ask the question:

In hindsight, was it worth it?

[Shoganai]

Yes.

Pain does not in and of it's self kill, but allowing it to win would be something I could not live with.


Anaïs Nin wrote, “The secret of joy is the mastery of pain.”
She was never more proven in my mind than this ride.

I think the issue with your pain factor begs to ask the question:

In hindsight, was it worth it?

[Jumpin Jimmy B]

On the ride, just wow. Hats off to you Gwen. Stoli is on me next time I see ya.

On the C5-C6. Sorry, long story.

 I have compression there as well. When it first exposed itself 2 years ago I thought i had a blood clot in my left arm. My upper left shoulder was in extreme pain. Now if I had done something stupid and hurt myself I would get it. But this just manifested itself from no where. 3 nights no sleep and I could work, but was uncomfortable. I could ride and it did not seem bad doing that. But no where near coast to coast, TWICE!!!
 Anyway, visit to the doc, X-rays ad exams and well there ya go. Compression on C5-C6. Great meds + 6 weeks of rehab made it go away, but I lost 40% strength in my left arm. More rehab and regular workouts, minimum 3X week and I am better than ever now.
 Also, new pillow worked wonders.
 My wife buys all that chit from the county fair. The " My Pillow " sales guy was there and well, she's easy. What can i say? 
I used to wake up with a stiff neck, part of the compression fun, every 3 maybe 4 months. Almost debilitating and could not look left. Since getting the pillow, nada. No pain, no stiff necks.
 I am currently at 5'9" and 180#  Doc wants me a 172 so I'm working towards that. I started at 205#.

 I walk a lot and work out. Easy for me as we have regular classes at work, so  go.

 Recently they had a cross fit challenge. $2 sign up. Winner in each class takes the $ for that location.

 I am 53, going on 54 in October. The fitness trainer, yes we have paid trainers, challenged me and said the 50 up age class routine was too easy. He moved me to the 35-49 age class.
 You think you are in shape? Try this. 6 simple exercises, 10 reps each. Do all 6 in series, then repeat for a total of 3 times.

 #1 Push ups. Chest to floor, extension till just short of elbow lock out.
 #2 Sit ups.  Knees bent, shoulders must clear knees.
 #3 Line jump. Tape line on the floor, stand on the left side. Jump with both feet over the line to the right, then rapidly back to the left. That's one rep.
 #4 Bell Squat. Feet shoulder width apart. Hold 35# dumbbell in front of chest. Do a full squat, thighs parallel to floor, then up to standing.
 #5 Burpee:  From standing position, squat down and put hands on the floor just out side your feet. Thrust legs straight back, then bring them back under you and stand
                    up. That's one.
 #6 Reverse lunge: Standing with #15 pound weight in each hand, step back with right leg and bend knee until just off the floor, then push back to standing position,
                    do ten each leg. That's ten right & ten left.

 Repeat the above series for a total of three times.

 I posted a 5:55 Beat most of the kids younger than me. Only 20 seconds slower than our local iron man competitor. But he goes for miles & miles.
 I swear I saw stars and I could not breath right for a day, but i did it.


 So Gwen. If you can ignore that pain riding coast to coast to coast OMG!!! You can lose a little weight AND get stronger AND live better too!


  Need help?

 PM me or use my work email, you got it. I'll send you the simple 30 minute work outs we do. Minimal weights, body weight and some stretchy bands and all you really need.

  I am so proud to know you.

 Jumpin Jimmy B.




 

[BexarWolf]

Yes.

Pain does not in and of it's self kill, but allowing it to win would be something I could not live with.


Anaïs Nin wrote, “The secret of joy is the mastery of pain.”
She was never more proven in my mind than this ride.

I think the issue with your pain factor begs to ask the question:

In hindsight, was it worth it?

<applause> All I can say is.....you rock. Such an inspiration to everyone. Thank you for sharing this adventure with so many.