Twenty twenty two

Any updates @herzalot ?
Inquiring minds and all that rot.
Improving?

 

My vascular surgeon, neuro surgeon and I decided today that I could go hang out at home, so I checked out. I still have to stay in bed until we start therapeutic anticoagulants - likely Wednesday. Back feels great, BTW.

Nice to be home with my girls.
Thanks for asking.

 

Good to hear it Chris.
There’s no place like home among loved ones. Much better that the hospital!

 

My in laws are here for a month and a half, I got you well and truly covered fella.

I'm not an alcoholic, they go to meetings, I'm a drunk (hic)

 

Solid update.

 

I'm sure you've had more opiates than the rest of us.
Looks like @Lost Kiwi and I will take care of the drinks for you. (Still working on offsetting @mtnbikej to keep the average intact)

 

Yeah! Good news only from this point forward...

 

2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005

(I think my last drink was '05)

 

So let’s see… 2 of the fastest, most fit Mt bikers on this forum don’t drink alcohol.

nope - I don’t see a correlation…

 

No alcohol since 2007. I'll balance out the curve.

 

Thank you!!

 

Yeah, I think I had 1 beer back in 2011, but 2004/2005 was about where I cut it out.

 

A little late to the party, but Happy New Year everyone. End of the year was hectic, and usual end of semester burnout hit harder than usual this year. On top of that, being home with two active younguns (10 month old daughter is into evvvvvvvveeeerry thing), and trying to limit online time while around family meant I didn't really come on here that much.

Had a good 3 week break at home. Actually only rode twice during that time though (local Clamshell loop from home). Rain was a big factor, then just felt plain tired to get up and go out in the chilly weather for a morning ride. Hopefully I'll get back to a weekly ride at minimum...

Our landlords have are selling our current residence, so we've been looking for a new home. Prefereably to buy, but the pickings are quite slim, and the market is plain rediculous right now (especially for first time buyers). Even decent rentals are few and far between... So we'll see how it goes, but we're fast outgrowing our little space right now.

Best to you all in this new year, quick healing for those of you who need it, and happy endeavors to everyone whether you are moving across the country or hitting your regular ride.

 

Despite any advantage that abstinence might constitute, I propose that genetic makeup would ultimately prevail. I don't think exemplary athletes become average when booze is added.

That floated, I've come to the reality that alcohol does limit my endurance performance, so for that and other reasons I'm passing on it. Knock back a nice craft beer for me, eh?

 

As far as alcohol goes, I only drink craft beer, but when I drink I usually drink a lot. I do not have any intention to stop, but I do try and make sure I do not drink on consecutive days. It definitely negatively impacts my performance.

My fitness tracker logs a number of health metrics, and alcohol (especially getting drunk) affects the numbers in a very negative way .... similar to the same level that being sick impacts them.

I have been tracking my numbers for 2+ years now and, at least for me, alcohol is a negative.

Breathing rate per minute always increases.
Resting heart rate always increases.
Heart rate variability always decreases (and in my case, craters).
Blood oxygen saturation usually decreases.
Sleep quality usually decreases.

Intense exercise also impacts the numbers, but not nearly as much as alcohol does. As such, I try to not drink on days after I mountain bike ... although that does not always work out.

 

On a related note, at least two of IMTBs best technical riders are frequent safety breakers, yourself included.

 

Not drinking is just an odd coincidence. I was never into it much, even when I was young. I never quit drinking either. My ex hit sobriety in 2006, but by then I had hadn't had a drink since the year before and I just never had another. I didn't get into sports and fitness until several years later.

 

I just had a bday so Ive already enjoyed a drink or three or more in 2022. But I rarely drink. I need to be in the right place with the right people, like I was this past weekend. Happens only a few times a year.

 

I haven't had any hard liquor since 1985... 3 Solo cups of Vodka cured me. I've never tasted rum, tequila, or any mixed drinks... Never had a margarita.

I do like the taste of wine, but that's probably because we used to make 20 gallons every year when I was a kid. Beer is also on the menu, but my taste for it comes and goes. Right now I'm in a "no" period. The last beer I remember having was at the Dodgers game in the summer. I may have had one after a ride at some point since then... Not sure. Ironically, that $20 beer was at Trevor Bauer's last game. I bought a 12 pack of Blue Moon about the same time and it's still in the fridge, as are the IPAs I picked up before @mike came up for a ride.

 

Sounds like my last run-in with Sudden Discomfort. And the Blue Hawaiian, aka Technicolor Yawn (Aussie for barf).

Hard liquor no longer beckons. Ale, though....different story. Still in moderation.

 

I only drank hard alcohol when I did drink. Taste of beer is horrible. But I could do shots all night long.

 

I concur, beer is nasty- liquified rotting bread.
Only alcohol I can stand is margaritas and that only happens twice a year maybe. Every single adult person in my wife’s family is an alcoholic except for her

 

I know my adoring fans want to know how I am doing...

Summary - Ruptured disc Dec. 30. Hospital Jan 2. Surgery Jan 5 (laminectomy, laminotomy). Blood clot following surgery. Interior Vena Cava filter installed Jan. 7. Home Jan 9.

Cleared for anticoagulants following 3rd ultrasound on Jan 13. Missed 3 weeks of work - so far.

Currently - continued radiating pain left hip to knee. Left knee still numb to the touch. I'm moving around just fine during the day, but have some serious pain in the leg and knee all night. Fresh X-Rays and MRI Jan 20 - yet to consult about results. I will return to work tomorrow and see how that goes, but frankly, I am expecting a need for additional surgery to correct whatever is still pressing on nerves. Yay!

2022 has been a HOOT so far!

 

Healing vibes Chris. Be positive and take your time.

 

Ruptured discs and nerve issues and clots, that doesn’t sound fun at all. Listen to them doctors and take all the steps and time required to make a full recovery. This stupid disabled list we all keep taking turns on around here has got to go.

 

The "like" was a confirmation.....but prefere a "no like". Heal up.

 

Damn. Well .... It can only get better from here.
Healing vibes.

It seems like everyone is on injured reserve lately.

 

Herzie’s and Mikie’s are a whole other level of poopie.

 

You too, D.... Ouchy!

Bummer for all three of yooz. Looking forward to the day when the lot of yaz are up and functional again.

 

Tom’s right… Enough of this.