Road Race - Road Kill

Woke up really early, drove to Fort Gordon, flashed a military ID, got on base, drove to start line and started warming up for the road race. As I mentioned in an earlier post - this was a hilly course - 8 significant climbs and not much flat area to recover. So I looked at the course and thought - 8 hill repeats - go for it and you may get a medal.

If only this smiling boy could have known what was coming.....

Ignorance is bliss during warm up

  

Fort Gordon band plays Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" - totally unexpected, all the cyclists were singing along while warming up - everyone was smiling

An appropriate opener for a National Championship event - posting the colors and playing the National Anthem

The race began as a large cluster of upright riders. I paced myself and was at the front of all four climbs of the first lap - that way if I fell behind I was still in the group. By the end of the first lap a C5 rider and I got away - got a small gap and started to work together nicely. I was working but not too hard since I knew we could be snapped up pretty easily.

Going through the finish line - ahead of the group - at the beginning of the second lap

Working hard but feeling good

A trike and hand cycle come through while we were on our second lap

All types of bikes for these amazing athletes

As I started hill #5 I stood and pedaled then looked down to see if I had two flats tires - I didn't - but something had to explain why I was pedaling but going nowhere. It wasn't a bike malfunction - it was me - all the workers in the engine room had vacated the premises without notifying me. The group rolled past me and all the sudden I went from the front to the back. In between hills 5 and 6 I channeled Scott Westfall and worked my butt off to close the gap before hill 6 started. Tightly in the group, we began the climb and once again it felt like I was pedaling in molasses with two legs filled with cement. Within moments the lead group was the lead group - without me.

Crossing the finish line in fifth place - again - but taking a moment to pay tribute to Zimmer - without their assistance I would not have a functional left hip and an awesome bike to pedal around Nationals. This has been an awesome experience and Garry Clark and Monica Kendrick of Zimmer have made it possible - thank you very much.
 

My first National competition is in the books and I could not be happier. Okay, I could have wished for a better road race but I was truly cooked - nothing was left in my legs. Besides that I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new friends, hanging with my Mom and palling around with my favorite girl in the world - Holly. She and I make a good team - she pushed me along with her butterfly wings - helped me warm up - took great photos and never for a moment let me forget that she was totally in my corner - 100%.

This may wrap up the blog - for Nationals - but stay tuned for other exciting events, races and photos to come. We have been overwhelmed with well wishes and curious followers who wanted to know how the events were unfolding - we hope you had as much fun as we did - without sweat pouring off you.Thank you all.

From Augusta with love,

Steve and Holly

15 lap Crit in downtown Augusta

All the upright para cyclists toed the line at high noon - rocketed off the line and began a 15 lap race around downtown Augusta. Hand cyclists, trikes and other non uprights did not race today. I warmed up with Bryant Young a C2 riders out of Greenville, SC who has six kids and is a very likable guy. Unfortunately, the second turn out of the gates proved to be problematic and he crashed HARD - I flew by as he hit and I think he was KO'd - my heart sank, I hope to see him tomorrow and know that he is okay.

Warming up with Bryant (r)

Entering the very first turn - watching for sketchy riders

Racing down the straight away

Leading out one of the early laps - moved up to be near the front - didn't want to be ON the front

Once the elite guys jumped I worked hard to close the gap but could not close it

Holly panned me going by - she had 15 laps to experiment with

Sure my hip forces a more upright position but I am racing with much smaller riders - bet none of them were college football defensive lineman

Started too late

 About halfway into the race four elite riders got away and our group - which contained a reigning World Champ - did not close the gap. Guys waited for him to close the gap - when he didn't they didn't want to work as a group to reel in the leaders. Stuff you cannot control. With four guys off the front I hung with the second group and sprinted at the finish. You can see I started too late and did not pass this rider in time - that was the difference between taking third and fourth. I took fourth. Dangit.

Before leaving downtown we passed by a shop who specialized in shrinking people. Thinking ahead to Sunday's return flight I figured we could save a ticket, carry shrunken Holly on board and put her in the overhead. The first part of the plan has worked to perfection - now we'll have to find someone in Salt Lake City to reverse the process.

Holly, my Mom and I drove out to Fort Gordon to drive the road course we'll race on in the morning - it is hilly 16 mile loop that we'll ride twice, it is not lumpy like the time trial - it's hilly like crazy. I will really work hard at maintaining contact with the leaders and using all the uphill practice I got last week on the Ride from Reno. It should be an interesting race.

More to follow tomorrow - thanks again for checking in - hope you like Holly's pictures.

Steve and Holly

Top 5 in the Nation.......

First off - Holly and I have been flooded with calls, texts and emails from our friends and loved ones. Thank you for your well wishes - we are humbled that you would care what we are up to and are here to follow along. Thank you.

Holly always says she rides with me as a butterfly on my shoulder - so we got a temp tattoo in Delta UT - she pushed me along during the race with her butterfly wings

How did the time trial race go? I left it all on the race course - I have never raced as hard or as fast as I did today. That said, I could not be happier with my race. I raced with the C3s who are more profoundly affected with a disability than I - I passed 8 of the riders who started 30 seconds ahead - so I made up more than 4 minutes on their group - felt strong! I would have taken the silver medal if I was a C3 - but I am not. My group, the C4s are very competitive so I finished 5th overall amongst the C4s. Reviewing the results I would have taken the silver in the C5s - they are even less affected than I - but I am not a C5. Overall, I am thrilled with my result and even happier with the effort. Go up or down a category and finish 2nd overall - not a bad effort.


We started the day slowly since I had a 3:01 pm start time - didn't want to expend a bunch of nervous energy needlessly. After a light breakfast with my Mom, a trip to Subway and a visit to Kroger (for a cooler and ice) we arrived at the park, found a spot in the shade and set up the bike to warm up.

Bowtie tribute to Dr Jones and my friends at Huntsman Cancer Institute

Borrowed the trainer from a local bike shop

My Mom and I taking my bike to be measured by race officials

All types of riders and bikes, trikes and handcycles raced

The handcycle line up before the C3 riders lined up

 While I warmed up all types of riders and bikes flew by us enroute to the start line. I wished them good luck - enough so that one of the spectators commented "you know everyone." I told him I had met some of the riders but mostly I was doing all I could to soak up the experience and enjoy the moment. Then I went back to riding the trainer as the hot, humid day caused sweat to pour off me as if under a shower.

Before the race begins you have to get an official to measure your bike to prove it meets a standard measurement. When I rolled mine up he said, "this is a stealthy looking machine" - I smiled and said "it's my Special Ops bike" - Darcie's full wheel all blacked out really set off the bike and put me in the mood to bear down and kick ass. Thanks Darcie!

I lined up one rider behind Brett Weitzel - a friend from Salt Lake, fellow sarcoma survivor, who has been training hard with the Olympic team in Colorado Springs. He and his girlfriend Amy were good friends with Matt Bradley and really liked my skinsuit - especially the "riding 4 Matt" on my right rib cage. I thought of Matt often today - he should have been here - we miss him terribly. 

The official counts down from five

I did my best to blast out of the box

A handcyclist powering toward the finish line.

Passing my 8th rider and gunning for the finish line

5th?!?!? I am as happy as I can be knowing that I gave it my very best. Still cannot get over how competitive the C4 division is but I will keep doing my best in the races to come. We race around downtown Augusta (a criterium race) at high noon tomorrow - 15 laps at high speed in close proximity to one another. My goal is to finish upright with all the skin I started with. On Saturday I'll race the road race twice around a hilly 16 mile course on Fort Gordon, an Army base in Augusta.

Tonight, I'll change out some wheels, clean my chain and get my bike ready for the crit at noon. Then I'll try to get some sleep to recharge my batteries.

Many times today someone has said, "think of how far you have come in the last three years." A day doesn't go by that I don't reflect and give thanks for where I have been and where I am going. Today's success just highlights the incredible journey it has been starting with the 17 hour surgery, a week in the hospital learning to sit upright, coming home to fall down the stairs and off the toilet, to relearning how to walk, to relearning how to bicycle, to understanding my limitations and pushing the boundaries of those limitations. I am who I am and where I am due to all of you who have been a part of Team Kelly - you all have contributed in some way to making me a better person, stronger athlete and happier human being. Thank you all.

To Holly, whether on my shoulder - pushing me along or holding my hand to pull me toward what lies ahead you have always been there for me to count on when the going really got rough. Thank you my love.

Our best,

Steve and Holly   

How did I get here?

Speeding along the time trial course

Dr Kevin Jones - my hero

Three and a half years ago my Air Force doc recommended amputating my left leg at the hip. Dr Kevin Jones of the Huntsman Cancer Institute had the guts to try a difficult surgery that saved my leg and removed all remnants of my bone cancer. I asked that he give me a solid platform to rehab with and his selection of the Zimmer hip and ZMR stem was a perfect fit for me and my rehab goals. I am deeply indebted to Huntsman and Zimmer and to Dr Jones for allowing me to become the "new and improved" me.

Three years later I look back and remember relearning all I had taken for granted; how to lift my leg onto the couch for napping and TV watching, how to walk, how to ride a bike and how to crawl into bed. Holly was there every step of the way to be my left leg when my left leg couldn't perform like it used to. In order for me to walk downstairs - to ride my indoor bike - she had to get on her hands and knees on the steps below me and lift my left foot up, place it on the step below then help me balance myself to get to the next step.She was my rock then and continues to be today. I would not be here without her.

Today we were not able to ride the road race course as we thought so we rode the time trial course again to become more familiar. I tried to only push hard a few times so as not to burn out my legs - I feel great as a result.

Told you it was "lumpy"

Tomorrow I'll power up this hill

My Special Ops bike and I are ready to slip in under the radar

My Mom, Betsy, flew down from Pennsylvania today to hang out with Holly and me and cheer me on. We all went to dinner, caught up on family happenings then returned to the hotel for a briefing. The briefing by Mike Durner of the Olympic Team outlined how the times would be scored then ranked across the board for equal comparisons. To summarize - I have to ride the 19k course in 26:30 or faster to make the National standard and make the National B team who ride in international events and go to riding camps. If I can ride the course in 27:21 or faster I can be in the talent pool. Anything shy of that will be nice - I'll get a handshake and a pat on the back. Needless to say, with these hills I would be thrilled with anything under 30 minutes but I will sell out -so let the chips fall where they may.

Win, place or show - or anything worse - I will still report back to you tomorrow night. Thank you for all your well wishes and encouragement - I'll be thinking of all of that while willing myself to pedal faster and faster.

Our best,

Steve and Holly...and my Mom 

Welcome to Augusta, Georgia! Today we awoke to a bright sunny, albeit hot and humid, day. After breakfast I met with two folks from the Olympic committee who put me through some exercises to judge my handicap. They were charged with "handicapping my handicap" which then would be used to slot me into the proper category so I would race against like handicapable riders. My right leg's strength was graded all "5s", my left leg was mostly "1s." The funniest part was when I laid on my belly and raised my right leg and held it up while he pushed it down. For whatever reason my left thigh chose that moment to go into a full blown cramp that shot me off the table. While I rubbed out the cramp he suggested I stretch more - he didn't seem to understand that my left thigh has a mind of its own and it didn't seem to work me into a more advantageous category. After he was done, they reviewed my medical records then rated me a C4. C1 thru 3 are lumped together as more affected with their situation - C4 is less affected - C5s being pretty close to "normal" riders.
After being classified Holly and I drove to the time trial course - the roads here have 3 inch shoulders - honestly - I was a little afraid to ride to the course. Once there - without warming up - I rode the course - an out and back affair that looked lumpy on paper and was so in person. I rode away from a multiple National TT champ and caught up to a Colorado state champ during my ride. The national champ was a nice girl who said she would turn 14 next month - the little boy who reigns over Colorado TTs had to weigh about 70 pounds - he was about 10. It was a "Seinfeld" moment like the one when Kramer "ruled his dojo" which was populated by little kids.
On my second loop I was warm and better prepared to power up some of the hills. I caught up to a couple of riders wearing "FFKR, Tour of Utah" kits and slowed to introduce myself. They were Tim Eisenhart and his son John from Lehi. Their son/brother is TJ Eisenhart a 17yo who has been in Europe racing with Team USA and kicking butt at Worlds. Imagine being the best in the world when you are 17 - wow.
I finished strong and look forward to riding the course for real on Thursday - should be interesting.
 

Downtown Augusta - along the crit course

Stopped in Sweet Lou's Crab Shack for dinner

Whatever that spice was on the sausage was awesome

Holly polished off a plate of oysters - yikes!

Downtown Augusta - old school Southern living

Reality
Ran into Brett Weitzel this evening - a fellow Utah Para Cyclist and sarcoma survivor who had his left leg amputated at the hip. He had been in Colorado Springs for the past two weeks training at the Olympic facility so he understood and explained the reality of making the Paralympic team. There are 8 men's slots that can be filled by either hand cyclists or para cyclists. Of those 8 slots at least 3 to 5 are already spoken for by reigning World Champs.There are a few open to coach's discretion but the "real" final two slots are earned by our ranking across all categories - determined by the time trial on Thursday. They determine that ranking by comparing each riders performance against their categories' standard time - say 1:30 per kilometer. How much a rider betters his standard time - figured as a percentage - is used to slot him against all other riders in all categories. Too much math for my pea brain right now so I have boiled it down to one thing - do as well in the time trial as I possibly can do then let the chips fall where they may.  I probably don't have a great chance of making the team but I also know that if I was at home on the couch eating bon-bons I would have no chance at all. My next couple of days I'll spend visualizing the course, seeing myself giving my all and working through the pain to race as fast as I can. The pain won't compare to the pain I felt when the air bed deflated a couple of times the day after my surgery which required a move to a second bed - that was pain on a whole 'nother level. I'll remember that experience and use it to block the pain emanating from my body to my head.

Tomorrow I will preride the road course to be raced on Saturday then meet my Mom who is flying in to watch the races. We are soaking in the experience, meeting incredible people and preparing for the time trial. Thank you all for joining us along the way - many of you have passed along well wishes and positive vibes - thank you - we'll put them to good use.

Our best,

Steve and Holly 

Huntsman 140 - Saturday 16 June - Great day!!!

A large crowd of cyclists ride out of Delta over Ravell's Pass then make a right turn for the inaugural ride of Larry's Loop.

Friday was a day of rest in Delta, the Reno cyclists spent the day getting massages, going to the movies, eating cupcakes (thank you Darcie and Denise) and even riding a little to prep for the H140.

Larry's Loop was an additional 8 miles to total 140 miles – didn’t want anyone feeling cheated – and got us onto a less trafficked road. The boys from DNA took a pull at the front, into a headwind, making it easier for those of us in the peloton.

Todd Smith with his son Devon hot on his heels

Plenty of riders fill the road out of Delta

It appears they are racing the train out of Delta

 

One part stretch master + one part Superman + one part comedian = Ravell

Best part of my day was riding with friends like Seth Bradley…

…and my good friend and neighbor Pat Buller…

…but when band mate, neighbor and great guy Kelly joined us we were all smiles.

The H140 was dedicated to the memory of Matt Bradley - we all miss him and wish he could have ridden with us again this year.

After lunch Holly watched riders cruise down the hill north of Camp Williams.

Vicki of Fallon's Lattin Farm fame

Scott Westfall

Todd Handy of Handybestrong

Mike McDonald and Lorenzo Roundy led the group containing Jeff Warren, Darcie Strong while Dan Sellers speeds up to catch a wheel.

Echo – aboard a new bike courtesy of Cindy Yorgason – was happy to ride to the finish with Jen Murano and her Dad by her side.

Lori Kun was one of the many riders who rode to the cheers of a raucous crowd.

Hangin with my buddies Scott and Ravell

Before wrapping up the Ride from Reno and Huntsman 140 I have to thank Holly for using her vacation time to drive a support vehicle, protect our riders and document the days with her camera. To our support drivers – thank you for making our journey safe and so much fun – your smiling faces and cheers kept us going. To my fellow riders; thank you for sharing your fellowship with Holly and me and for encouraging me when I needed a boost. Holly and I loved every minute and cannot wait to join you all again on the Ride from Reno 2013 edition.

 

On to Nationals!

Speed freaks

These three guys (L to R) Joe Sepulveda, Seth Bradley and Kevin Parry have been instrumental in assisting me in my preparation for Nationals. Not only did they welcome me into the DNA crowd but they coached me, rode me into the dirt then picked me up and showed me the way to get faster and smarter. Thanks guys - I will do my best to represent for all of my friends and family.