Flushed Out

So for the most part I kept it to myself other than Sarah and those that I had to tell when they were curious as to what was going on, but I must say that though at first glance it may seem that I gave into peer pressure, I didn't.  Bryan, who I work with, was the first one to use Blessed Herbs and after sharing his experience with various guys in the office a handful of others did it as well.  I talked to Bryan about it a month or so ago and after discussing with Sarah decided to order some Blessed Herbs and do it myself.

Blessed Herbs has both a full Internal Cleanse as well as what is called the Colon Cleanse, but it does more and is more than just your normal colon cleanse (dont worry, there aren't any pictures).  Basically, Blessed Herbs operates from the foundation that our bodies are our most important possession.  We do A LOT to make sure that we look good and at least from the outside, appear healthy to others.  However, we really don't do much to take care of our insides, rather we just assume that nature is doing it's job.  Well unfortunately, as you hear over and over and over again on various news shows from research, the foods that we typically eat do not align with the organic, natural, raw, fruits and veggies, little or no animal protein, recommendations from the medical professionals.  In fact, it isn't to say that it is anyone's fault, nor is there anyway to find out, but I truly believe that my cancer developed as a result of the foods that I ate my whole life, stress in my life, and just my body being a little out of whack.

Back to Blessed Herbs.  Especially when eating any processed foods, unnatural sodium, etc. not all of those foods can be easily digested.  Therefore, overtime a plaque builds up on the inside of your intestinal walls.  The cleanse materials bind with the plaque to strip it from the walls of the intestines.  There is also a digestive stimulant that you take to increase regularity and stimulate the various organs that are involved in the digestive process (liver, gallbladder, etc.) to get those organs to work a bit harder and rid the body of toxins held within the organs.  I wanted to do it, not only for the standard processed foods and animal protein that the body struggles to digest, but also knowing the amount of toxins that made their way into my body that I just really wanted to make another effort to wring out my body of the "yuck."

Some of the benefits of the cleanse are increased energy levels, increased metabolism (since your intestines can now do what they are supposed to rather than fighting through the plaque), and just an overall feeling of "betterness."  I have definitely felt more energized and don't get the "I just want to lay on the couch and do nothing" feelings, I feel more alert, I've noticed the last 2 days riding to work that my body must be somewhat more efficient because I'm not getting winded, and a side benefit are the pounds and even inches that came off.  From when I started to the end there has been a 7.5-8 lb swing in my weight (now at 171 and closer to my goal weight), and about a notch and a half off my belt.  Others who have done it have kept off the weight and inches, and I'm even hoping that it helps me to get down to that 157-162 range I'm targeting since oxygen increases the burning of fat and now my body should be able to get more of that oxygen due to the plague it no longer has.

The way the cleanse works is you first ramp down your food intake.  75% on day 1, 50% on day 2, 25% on day 3.  Then you are on a liquid only fast for 3-10 days depending on what you choose (majority of people do 5 days).  During the liquid only fast you can drink water, organic apple juice, and filtered vegetable broth made from potato, carrot, celery, and onion.  Although that seems impossible, you also drink a shake which is a mix of apple juice and the toxin absorber every 3 hours.  This really helps since you always have something in your body and the toxin absorber is very fibrous and expands.

Afterward you pick back up by eating an apple for breakfast, small salad for lunch, and a small dinner of salad or veggies, brown rice, and some protein like tofu.  It has definitely decreased my portion size which is great since I've wanted to work on portion control.  Apple for breakfast is just fine for me these days.  Normally by 11 I'm watching the clock wondering when it is lunch, and its 1245 and my stomach isn't telling me anything.  I'm now in more of a routine of drinking 6-8 glasses of water/tea a day and don't have the feeling of wanting to eat just because (granted I just finished this past weekend).

All in all I've been happy with it thus far and it will hopefully help Sarah as we continue to focus on healthy eating.  Last night we made lettuce wraps with brown rice, crumbled tilapia, tomato, and avocado for dinner.  We had some veggie crisp chips on the side.  Perfecto!

Well over 200 miles...

So as I've mentioned before I've been tracking every donation that I get to make sure that I ride enough miles in honor of the people who my donors ask me to ride for.  In fact, I know that I've covered enough miles for every dollar donated so far (reading between the lines that means I unfortunately haven't gotten any donations in February), however, I'm still saving one ride for a sunny day away from work.  So far my largest donor was my cousin Adam Sutton and I owe him 50 miles.  Making such a financial commitment that he did, I do not want to repay those in 12 mile increments of commuting or leisure rides.

That being said, I'm well beyond the other 202 miles that I owed you, but far behind on documenting any of it here on the blog.  That being said, I'm really sorry but I promise I will be better in the future.  Especially since my beautiful bride called me out on it - and in all seriousness, you are donating your hard earned money for such a great cause and deserve the recognition that I promised.

We have had one of the coldest February's on record and the beginning of March hasn't been much better.  Last year the average low temp for Jan-Feb was 41 degrees.  This year the average high for the same period was 40 for our area.  ZOIKS.  But with the gas prices the way that they are, I told Sarah that if gas gets anywhere near $4.50 (let alone $5 like they are saying for the summer) I will be investing in some more cold/wet weather gear and plan to bike commute 99% of the time.  No sense in paying that type of cents for gas.  (Pathetic pun and play on words I know).

That being said, I've gotten some good riding in these days.  Especially the past few weekends when we have seen some breaks in the weather.  Actually, Sarah helped me recently with some photos when I got back from a training ride because I needed to submit some for a few different reasons.  Firstly, there was an Alumni Spotlight article done about my battle and fundraising in our Sigma-Xi newsletter for TKE.  I tried to pass on some info to Nationals but no luck.  Secondly, my friend Ford works for the YMCA and at his Y they are running the Livestrong at the Y program and wanted to interview a cancer survivor.  I'll have to see if anything was posted about me there.  Anyway, here are 2 pictures.

I love this family pic!

Rather than rambling too much on here, I'll give a quick foreshadowing to come (and hold myself accountable to blog more).  I have updated and also added some organized rides to my summer.  Also, some fundraising updates other than targeting family and friends is underway.  See what you could do to help us!

Now to catch up on those miles:  Thank you very much to those who donated, especially to push me over $1000 for the month of January.  Here is who I've been riding for...

My friend from high school and college, Chris, made a donation in honor of his father.  Chris's dad is still around and a cyclist himself.  He wishes there were rides like these in the Midwest because Chris knows that his dad would want to get involved.  

Cosmo is a girl I knew from college.  She sent me an extremely compelling story about her Uncle Jim.  His cancer was bound and determined to get the best of him and Cosmo knew that all she could do was pray.  She said that thinking of our story and all that we are doing now really gave her hope.  Well, the last I heard, her Uncle Jim was doing well and the tests were providing the results that they wanted.  I really need to check in with her.

A gal that I indirectly met during my cancer experience named Monica has such a huge heart.  Her dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 the week after me.  So everything that we did with treatment, they did right afterward.  It was great to keep in touch with her and hear how her dad was doing, and we developed a great friendship though such an ugly experience - just another way to show how much good can come from cancer.  The rat will never get us.  Well, unfortunately, at his 3 month check-up, her dad did not have the same message from the doctor that I had.  His HL was back...and in full force.  Back to the drawing board they went and the medical team hit him with ICE - a very strong chemo.  Now all of the tests are underway and they are going through with a BMT.  I pray that everything goes well for them and when I dont have miles to dedicate, I will often be thinking of their family.  

Natasha is another girl I met in college and is currently a flight attendant.  Keeping up with what is going on through social media is how she keeps up with friends.  Well, one day she saw a post that I made asking people what they could do - in fact it was Cancer Awareness Day.  She made a donation in honor of her Grandpa who passed away not too long ago.  In fact, I recall when she posted on Facebook that he passed away and that she knew she would feel his presents when she was flying the friendly skies.

Several others have made donations and have told me that I should just ride for what we are doing.  I'm extremely grateful for all of these individuals no matter how large or small the donation was.  They include my beautiful bride, Topher (co-worker at Camp Gray), Queenie Knox-Oates from TKE at SNC, Jill Boyle, Uncle Scott, Emily, M&M Vega, Mr. & Mrs. Dougherty, and my parents.  

I'm looking for more donors and more reasons to ride.  Do you have one?  What can you do to help?  Every $5 helps.

LIVESTRONG

Great Riding

The riding has been great these days.  The weather has definitely been crisp, but I've still been out riding.  The morning commute to work can be a bit chilly, but afternoon rides are just fine.  This weekend I got out and did some riding and even at the end of last week, clear skies got me on the road - some days just after work for a quick hour spin, but Friday after finishing up everything at work I took the long way home for an easy 18 miles.  Ended up in some higher traffic areas which then means that based on basic laws of probability that there are more idiots on the road.  Just like there are a few cyclists that drive the stereotype of "cyclists never obey the laws" well there are a few drivers who ruin it for the conscientious cyclists as well.

Friday night my wife's brother had his wedding reception so we left her car at her work so that we could get the carpool lane.  Saturday I took a long meandering ride to get to her work.  Ended up being about 25 miles, but a good 12 of those were going at a 15mph headwind that had 25-30 mph gusts.  Then I had about 2 miles of hills. It was a GOOD workout.  Sunday I got out for a nice spin too, though not as long.

The fraternity that I'm in is actually going to be doing an Alumni Spotlight on me and my fundraising so Sarah took some pictures of me for that.  Here is my favorite:

LIVESTRONG!

Weekend Intervals

Did some good riding this weekend.  The weather was supposed to be pretty nasty with wind and rain, but the rain didn't come until late in the afternoon Saturday and the wind sustained well through the night, which meant the roads were dry by midday on Sunday.  Saturday morning, wanting to catch any bit of the road before the storm blew in, I was sure to head out.  Did a nice 17.22 mile figure 8 near the house so that I was never too far away should the rain start dumping.  The route was great.  Had some nice hills (one that I was glad to be going down, but in the near future I'll challenge in the opposite direction) and some flats too.  I mixed it up and did some intervals as well as a sprint up half of one of my climbs.  Went anaerobic and then wanted to get closer to my threshold to ride the rest of the climb.  No use in beating up my body just to say I sprinted the whole thing right.

The hill on 164th in Snohomish joins my classification as a 50mph hill.  I wasn't pedaling that hard on the first half before the plateau, but the grade on the bottom half was enough to have me at 50+ were I not to start increased feathering as I was approaching the stop sign.  Should be a good climb, but definitely one I'll want to hit early in the morning to avoid traffic.

Sunday I took the same route once we got home from church.  Legs were burning a bit more, but that is a good thing.  Looks like we are in for quite the stretch of rain ahead, but at least the wind will be dying down which means, once my wife's car is out of the shop I should be able to get back on the bike commute.

LIVESTRONG

Weekend ride, dedications, and getting in shape

Now I have, but I haven't been holding up my end of the bargain on my riding.  I told you all in one of my earliest posts that my commitment to you was that I would ride 1 mile for every $5 that were donated.  Now I know that I am a little bit behind - though not much since I was able to ride a good portion of last week (including my Thursday morning ride and a ride on Sunday).  However, I haven't been documenting the dedications as much as I hoped.  To be honest, it all happened when I lost a bit of wind from my sails after I put together a video one evening the garage.  It was cold outside - my thinned out blood tells me it was miserably cold outside, but  my Midwestern roots (and parents) remind me that there is nothing "miserable" about 26 degrees.  Likely just another sign of me becoming a PacNWerner, but I digress.  I was in the garage, on the rollers (also can be miserable at times since you dont get any change in scenery), and I did a Flip video dedication to my friend and fellow survivor Flutie.  RAF gave me a nice donation when I sent out an email telling folks of what I've been up to.  In fact, even getting my email inspired him to take the plunge and register for LIVESTRONG Austin.  It will be great to meet him in person and hopefully keep up with him - it might not be a headwind holding you back, Flutie, I just might be holding onto your saddle for a pull.  Well, lo and behold, the damn video wouldnt upload to YouTube.  I've tried more than 2 handful of times and now I'm out of fingers - or at least have been out of motivation to try and repost it.  Nevertheless, I kept riding but holding out hope that I would do my rides in order (for the most part) and document the dedications the same way.  My list of dedications is at home, but look forward to an upcoming post on who I've been riding for.

This weekend was another great opportunity for a ride.  The stars aligned and Patrick and I were able to get a free pass from our wives to go on a ride and Michael was able to join us as well.  As Sarah got ready to go to the bridal shower for Kaitlin, I was getting my bike into the car and heading down to Seattle.  The forecast was calling for high 40s - maybe even hitting 50, but I wore my tights just in case.  Better to be warm than cold, right?  Well, it wasn't a miserable day, but it was biting cold.  I'd guess it was more like the low 40s and a few different times I needed to ignore the lack of feeling in my fingers, but we did about 26 miles, which included a climb up 65th in Seattle to Top Pot Donuts.  I decided not to get a donut since I'm trying to lose weight right now, and I'm glad I did.  Down to 183.6 this morning.  Only 20 lbs to go!  I'd say the most amazing part of the ride (and I know it's because they haven't had as much time), normally I'm able to do hills, but nothing like Patrick and Michael.  However, since I have a longer commute and have been able to ride more with my schedule, I've even started to become a bit of a hill hunter.  Going up the ridge, I was able to sustain a faster climb than both of them - something I've never done - and something I'll probably only be able to do for another week or 2 until they catch up and pass me.  Still, it was pretty cool.

In even better news, our friends Mark and Maria finally decided to get some hybrid/comfort bikes and Maria just told me today that she is hooked and didn't realize how much she would love biking.  They may not be doing the STP or a LIVESTRONG ride, but they are riding and that is all that matters.

Ride hard and LIVESTRONG!

My Wife is Amazing

It sure wasn't fun, but our 5 month old daughter got a horrible flu - in fact we spent the night in urgent care getting her some fluids via IV.  People at work thought I was crazy yesterday when I still biked into work, but as I told them, it was the only thing that kept me awake - nothing like a nice early morning breeze of fresh air.  It sustained me for a few hours, but by 3 I was cross-eyed and ready to sleep on my keyboard.  The ride home woke me up to get some chores done around the house and we were in bed by 8.  Knowing that she was taking off from work today (can't send a sick little girl to daycare), she let me sleep through the night.

On top of that, I didn't have any meetings this morning, the weather in the Puget Sound has been amazing, and I was planning to get a good ride in.  My bride insisted that I still take the morning off and go for a ride since I wanted to so badly.  I really should have brought my shoe covers because the nice thing about my shoes (LG Ergo Airs) is that they have great ventilation for the summer.  My toes were a bit chilly, and I didn't do the 50-60 miles I was originally planning since I wanted to get into work by 11-11:30.  When I got out to Carnation it was already 10 so I knew I should probably cut the ride short to get into work at a good time.

I was at the intersection of the Tolt River Road and West Snoqualmie River Road (heads to Preston - route to get to Issaquah) and decided it would be best to head back in to Redmond.  The climb is just over 1 mile at an average of 7.5% gradient.  I would be lying if I didn't say that I pulled over and didn't climb it all at once.  But for being my first "non-commuting ride" (typically 10-20 miles) this year, I'd say that a ride of 40 miles of rolling hills with the one climb was pretty good.  I was satisfied.

More to come on the ride dedication...

Sorry for being so absent lately.

LIVESTRONG

My Commitment to You

It has been a challenge to get out on the rollers as the weather has turned rainy.  I'm still trying to commute to work when I can, but also it really depends on my meeting schedule since it requires me to leave a little later and try and get home earlier (even with lights, you really gotta watch out for drivers).  Also, now that I'm a dad, it is definitely a bigger adjustment to find "me" time (read: biking time).  You really need to be intentional about things - and I'm not a morning person.  So instead my day typically is something like this:  get up and get Gabriella and Sarah out the door, go to work, head home and take Nikki for a walk, get dinner cooked, bathtime, bedtime, and then we have some time to decompress.  By that time, it is more appealing to spend some time with my wife instead of riding to nowhere in the garage.   Nevertheless, I know I need to be riding (it keeps me sane - and some pound off), and I know I'm going to need to stick to training for all the riding I'm committing to.

Therefore, as I was on the rollers yesterday afternoon, I decided what I'm going to do to stay motivated and make sure that not one donation is ignored.  I WILL MEET MY FUNDRAISING GOAL, but I also need your help!!  For every 5 dollars that is donated I will ride 1 mile in honor of whoever you know with cancer or in memory of someone you lost.  For every 20 dollars that is donated by a business sponsorship I'll ride for 1 mile.  I will use this blog to document these rides since throughout the winter many of them will be on the rollers.  Look for some videos coming in the future.

Yesterday I rode for my friends Deb and Ben, and the intentions that they have.

Ride hard and LIVESTRONG!