What The Heck?!
This blog entry is in response to a few grumbles that I’ve overheard about me racing sport class downhill and winning my races.
THIS IS NOT A “WHOA IS ME” ENTRY, NOR IS THIS AN EXCUSE. I FEEL THAT I SHOULD EXPLAIN WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.
**I apologize in advance if this is long. I want to put as much information into this blog entry.
2005: After entering a few downhill races and podiuming, I figured I would give racing a go for the 2006 season.
At the end of the 2005 season, I started noticing that my hands were very stiff and hurt so much that it kept me up at night.
I figured I had carpel tunnel syndrome but I just soldiered on and attempted to ignore it.
2006: I had high hopes for the ’06 downhill race season. I was getting support from several sponsors and my family.
I found that my hands as well as all my joints were very stiff and hurt so much that there were days when it hurt to walk.
I couldn’t train as my hands hurt and I had crashed a few times because my hands would not open and I could not apply the brakes.
I grumbled all the way to the doctor’s office. The doctor initially thought I had carpel tunnel syndrome. A few more tests and a specialist later revealed that I did not have carpel tunnel syndrome.
More tests…and in June of 2006, just a month shy of my 30th birthday, I was diagnosed with scleroderma.
I was devastated. I was alone in the doctor’s office and was told that I have a disease that is life threatening and that THERE IS NO CURE.
I was prescribed methotrexate. This is a chemotherapy drug. Yes, a chemo drug.
At the time, I was approximately 190lbs, with an average body fat of 5-7%. I lost 15lbs but I still kept the body fat percentage, as I was able to ride my road bike and run.
At the end of the season, I was ready to sell my bikes. I was going to give up but I put my trust in the treatment and support of my family.
I only raced 4 times and each was torture. I had bumped up to expert class and could not keep the pace like an expert should.
2007: I had been taking my medications for several months and at the beginning of the season, I began to train hard.
I put my miles in on my road and trail bike. As I said above, I was 15lbs lighter and on the bike, I felt it immediately. I felt faster on pedal sections, I actually loved climbing on my road and trail bikes.
I saw immediate improvements in my downhill riding. While on the bike, I was able to move around and adjust position more, pedal out of turns harder and faster and I wasn’t carrying the extra weight so I was able to skip across rock gardens instead of plowing through them.
My hands still hurt but the pain was manageable as I learned how to live with it and the treatment I was receiving.
So far the 2007 season has been good. My confidence is back and I’ve placed first in every race I’ve attended except for one. I picked the wrong line in my race run and crashed, putting me in fifth but I was still on the podium.
The 2007 season is almost over but I have high hopes for 2008. I am very confident that I will see even more improvements in 2008.
I have decided that I will step up to expert class and even though I know it won’t be easy, it will be fun and that’s really what this whole thing is all about.