I am here in AFRICA everyone! I made it safely with only a few bumps and hitches:) I will try to get a picture or two out by tomorrow. It is 10:30pm here in Gabon, but I think that it is only 3:30m there. I love you all!!!
:)Sara
Well it is the day before and I am preparing for a wonderful and relaxing trip to Africa, tomorrow. First I will fly out of Bozeman at 6am, then on to Minneapolis, then to Memphis, then to Atlanta, then to Paris, then to Libreville in Gabon, Africa. Okay, maybe not relaxing, but I did bring a couple of books to read. I am bring two massive bags, along with a carry-on backpack. Should be fun going through customs, hey?
This is the first out of the U.S. trip for me. I am going to miss my family, friends, and all of their sweet children, but I am so excited to see what God will do. I will also miss my main squeeze, SK. Sam encouraged me to go on this trip of a lifetime, and I am so thankful that he did.
I hope to keep you all posted on Sam’s blog, so keep checking it. I love you all!!
Well I am now a full week removed from the 24 hour race and still not sure if I have fully recovered which says a lot because I really did not ride all that hard. I am beginning to think my body is doing a little battle of its own called infection. For the last few weeks I had a nagging pain on my stump but thought little of it. At this point a day without a little nagging pain would be a day without breathing. That said the pain grew to crescendo on Thursday with an open sore back on the antibiotics I went. This morning things seem to have mellowed out so hopefully this is just another one of those good stretches ended by a brief bump in the road. Read the rest of this entry »
Well it would appear that summer may have finally arrived in Bozeman after one monster of a winter. I guess there is no time like the present. I have now been back in town for a week and while it is wonderful to be home and see all my friends and be with Sara I am missing all the riding and training. Many of you may read that as some what of surprise but I love riding my bike and it was so satisfying for the short time to ride it like a professional and then to have so much success kinda took my breath away you could say. With out a doubt I walk away from this year with a renewed fire and only hope I can continue to pursue this dream.
The other plus of being home has been the opportunity hang out with friends with out the idea of training looming over my head. This allowed me to spend some quality time with my friends shooting our bows, pistols and drinking a few beers kicking back and appreciating all the good things in life.
This weekend I am back on the bike hoping for a victory at the 24 hours of Rapelje in the men solo category. I know I have the fitness but am kinda interested to see how my leg and endurance hold out for the full 24 hours. I will keep you posted.
Yesterday we finally had a glimpse of summer like weather here in Montana. Just in time for the get together Sara had planned for the evening to mark my return home, celebrate the last few weeks accomplishments, and of course rejoice in the summer season.
I opted to kick the festivities off early with a mountain bike ride prior to all the friends comming over. While I may be the only one saying it was a fun ride I must admitt it was not so much fun because the biking was that good. More along the lines it was fun because of how stupid it must seem to the rest of Bozeman that we tried to ride from Bozeman Creek to Leverich Canyon. Typically the ride takes me about 2:15 but today it was more like 3:00 plus and considering the adventurous conditions that was cruising pretty good. Dan was on his first ride of the year with Andy having a little more saddle time but both are in their week and half base training, power training and tapper for the 24 hours of Rapeljie.
The ride condition are as follows: Things started mellow and surprisingly dry for the recent weather with the first 5 miles leaving us pleased with our trail decision. Bammm…a couple 100 yards further and the world begins to change wetter, muddier, and soft like riding on sponges. Fortunately, the change while evident was slow enough that we continued to slog on for 5-miles at which point completing the loop only seemd logically despite the double track being covered in 2-8″ of cold sloppy snow. The last 2-3 miles of the climb were slow at best with our tracks in the snow resembling that of a drunk on his way home wandering from on side of the road to the next followed by some walking and on. Finally we reached the descent and trail conditions improved as we dropped elevation leaving us with smiles on our face but cold, muddy, and confused on just how we had gotten into this mess.
Now late for the party I booked it home via bike arriving 4 minutes past the start of the party. Sara always loving fully understood…cleaned up and beer in hand the yard games began. We wrapped the night up with a great fire, friends, and smores.
Bozeman has had wonderful weather the past few days. I (Sara) have been able to soak up the sun and realize that I do love living in Bozeman. Sam has gone back to work, but has gone on a few mountain bike rides.
I head off to Africa on July 3rd, which will be an awesome adventure! I am so excited for this trip; to be in another country and culture will be eye-opening for sure. I want to thank everyone who has been so generous with their support for my trip. I have been able to raise above what I needed, which will be given as a love offering to the Bongolo Hospital. God truly provides!
I hope to be able to blog on Sam’s Nolimbitations site, to keep everyone informed with my trip. Talk to you all soon! :)Sara
Here are some good pics of Sam racing. Be sure to check out the Bozeman Chronicle from Thursday, June 12, the Montana Quarterly-Summer, and the Bozeman Tributary coming out soon.
Racing on the track!
National Champ with Dad!
I had the great joy of suprising Sam last night. I was suppose to fly in tonight, but I was able to take today off, fly in last night, and surprise Sam at his hotel! It was such a great day to ride. Sun shining, a slight breeze, and a fast course. Sam headed out of the gate, ready to kick butt. He rode hard, fast, and left it all out there. Every rider had amazing times today. The times and qualifying points were so close that Sam literally missed making the Beijing team by a tenth of a point….
This is definitely hard. Sam feels frustrated and disappointed, but you all know my husband. He is looking at the glass half full; that’s my man.
We will have some pictures and maybe a video coming soon. We love you all and we are so thankful for your support, prayers, and love through all that we go through. This summer, I will be off for Africa, Sam will be a bachelor, and we’ll look forward to what God has next for us.
:)Sara and Sam
Well the kilo resulted in a Silver Medal missed Gold buy a small margin…but today it all connected resulting in the the Stars and Bars jersey and gold medal representing the Men’s Pursuit Champion. More to come when I get a chance. Thanks to all for the prayer, support and just believing in me.
Day one the Silver….
And the National Champs….
On to day three….trip to Beijing?
The velodrome is about a mile from the training center so each day I ride over to the track on my road bike with all the gear I need for the training session in my commuter bag. Like all the other athletes this generally include water, tools, clothing etc. For some of us though it requires we pack along the less ordinary accessories such as extra limbs.
For the rest of the paralympic team it is nothing to see a leg hanging out of some one’s bag but to other on lookers it can come as a surprise. Imagine you see a guy riding along like any other person and then suddenly what…there is foot with a sandal on it sticking out of his bag. Needless to say second and third looks are the norm often followed by a kind nod and for those you are closer to a funny laugh when they realize just how normal it is.
Today was a recovery day with an easy one hour ride in the morning followed up by some errands and lots of rest. We are closing in on D-day so the next 4 days of training will be focused on polishing technique, dialing in race equipment, and most importantly freshening up the legs. The last few weeks have been exhausting leaving it difficult at time to put into words the intensity at which I have demanded my body to perform. That said but much has been gained both in strength and my knowledge. My times on the track are right where I need them to be, a flawless race should put me in the hunt for medals against the worlds best. The crazy things is given the short duration of my events one slip up, a little to much wind or any number of things could result in seconds lost and no medals; that is racing at the highest level I suppose. All said I am honored to be here and have this opportunity to compete.
Three and half years ago my life was changed like I could have never imagined. As said by Sara, “You were in a horrible accident, you went back to work 2 weeks after your amputation, you skied before the one-year anniversary, you worked hard and joined the paralympic cycling team, and now you have an amazing opportunity before you.” Reflecting on this keeps me grounded but more importantly knowing all the people that have stood by my side, prayed for me, and rooted me on in my darkest hours helping make this all possible fills me up with love and energy that I can not explain. To all of you I am honored to have you as my friends and family.
In four days I will click into my pedals and when the clock clicks to zero will launch out of the start gate racing towards a finish line that sits some 70 seconds away knowing in my heart that the real race has already been won. I am in the best shape of my life, I am loved, and I am excited for what God has planned for me.
I can not imagine living this life any other way, with no LIMBitations.