Hamburg Road

Sunday mornings typically mean a trip to the Hamburg Road parking lot, a popular starting point for mountain bikers and trail runners. The parking lot can hold eight to ten cars depending upon how tightly people park and with the lot often filled many times you'll find cars parked before and after the lot.

At eight A.M. this morning, Hamburg Road Parking lot was empty except for one truck carrying a mountain bike.

It was almost shocking to see this area, typically bustling with activity so calm on a beautiful morning. As surprising as it was this was not wholly unexpected, after all the Catoctin 50K was just the day before.

The Catoctin 50K is perhaps the most difficult event I have run over the years and yesterday presented the runners with very difficult conditions. Although I decided not to let cancer dictate my life there is no doubt it changes it, this spring and summer there simply was not enough time, energy or priority available to allow me to log the miles required to complete this race.

However, I was able to run half !

The course is an “Out and Back” starting at the Tea house in Gambrill State Park with the turnaround at the Manor area of Catoctin State Park, a distance of about sixteen and a half miles each way.

My original plan was to run, by myself, starting at the Manor area the same time the runners started at the Tea house. I would be running “against the crowd” thereby allowing me to see my running buddies as they headed to the Manor. That plan changed in a most positive way when one of my running friends, Kristin Biris agreed to run with me. Kristin is a most talented runner and if not for injury would have been a top contender at Catoctin, she certainly can leave me and most runners “In Her Dust” almost any day of the week.

I simply cannot get into the details of this run because I would have to write a small book. Let me just say that it was one of the most “Bitter Sweet” moments of my life. The miles seemed to fly by as Kristin and I ran along, all cylinders firing.

As I expected, Kristin and I saw most of our friends about two hours into our run. It was great to see everyone but with each greeting came a small bit of regret that I wasn't going to share in their entire experience. As it tuned out, perhaps missing out was a blessing in disguise.

The Hamburg Road Aid station is the first and last aid station during the run, but for us we would get there at mile ten. As Kristin and I approached I could see the faces of my children Kevin and Maggie, my brothers Bill and Tim, my nephews Matt and Conner and soon after we arrived my wife Sue was there as well. Words simply cannot express the feeling that welled up inside me, thank goodness I was able to hold it together.

Leaving Hamburg Road, Catoctin 50K runners “only” have a little more then six miles left to the finish, the first two miles being a nice “jaunt in the woods”. That “jaunt” deposits runners in a deep valley with better then a mile of hill climb dead ahead. (I have referred to this valley in the past as the “Valley of Despair”) Typically this area is hot, humid and little air seems to circulate, this is where many runners begin feeling a sense of stupidity for entering the race in the first place. Perhaps the only saving grace of this segment is a picturesque mountain stream which meanders along the trail. Even though Kristin and I would be here hours before most, it was getting hot. Fortunately, each stream crossing offered an opportunity for a quick toss of my bandana into the steam, squeezing out the cool water which soaked it felt wonderful on my head and neck.

With the valley behind you and only two miles to the finish you begin to believe that Satin himself plotted out the trail. In previous years I would cringe as I approached the last serious downhill, usually with quads burning, knees hurting and Lord help you if you kicked a rock, sending a calf muscle into serious convulsion. It was unusual to feel so good at this point on the trail.

Of course with each serious downhill comes the required counterpart with the final hill segment being the most devious of all. With perhaps only a half mile left to go you must forget that your body aches and your mind rebels and walk yourself up a steep hill to the finish. Even though I was still fresh, sweat simply poured off me in buckets as Kristin and I pushed forward. How much worse would it be later in the day? MUCH.

Three hours and thirty eight minutes after we started Kristin and I crossed the finish line to the applause of my bothers Bill and Tim, sister Trish, her daughter Chelsea, Mom and Dad and of course Sue. I was certainly glad to finish and was taken with emotion to see my family there but at the same time wishing that my race would continue, as if doing that would put off what is to come.

My run done, it was now time to wait for my friends to share in their pain and triumph, for all it was a difficult day. Most managed to finish using sheer will and determination, as Ultra-runners often do. I hope to be able to draw from that type of strength, that of my family and friends as I tackle this future segment of my life.

Hamburg Road; well with no one there I returned home to run a loop with my brother Bill and of course Molly.

Later.... Mike

Last Doc Visit Prior to Surgery

Perhaps my final Doctor appointment before surgery happened yesterday afternoon and once again the “plan” I thought was in place is changing.

According to "Plan", if everything went well, the second surgery to reverse the Ileostomy was going to be scheduled sometime in November, prior to Thanksgiving. When I mentioned this to the Oncologist he seemed displeased that there would be an interruption to the chemo treatments.

Chemotherapy will consist of eight cycles of Folfox which is a combination of Oxaliplatin, Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Folinic Acid starting sometime in September. Not to make light of the issue, but I think the FU is somehow very appropriate so perhaps I'll refer to it as EIGHT TIMES FU or simply FU in the future. ( With all due apologies to the researchers who developed this life saving drug)

A cycle will happen every two weeks including a two hour infusion at the cancer center of Oxiliplatin followed by visit from a home care nurse to “hook up a pump” for a forty eight hour drip of FU. I believe that Folinic Acid will also be included on both days but I'm not 100% sure at this point.

Now for the side effects of these drugs starting with FU

• Diarrhea.
• Nausea and possible occasional vomiting.
• Mouth sores.
• Poor appetite.
• Watery eyes, sensitivity to light (photophobia) (see eye problems).
• Taste changes, metallic taste in mouth during infusion.
• Discoloration along vein through which the medication is given.
• Low blood counts.
  

Oxaliplatin side effects

• Peripheral neuropathy - Numbness and tingling and cramping of the hands or feet often triggered by cold. This symptom will generally lessen or go away between treatments, however as the number of treatments increase the numbness and tingling will take longer to lessen or go away.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Low blood counts - Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
  

The “Interesting” side effect comes from the Oxaliplatin which creates a hyper sensitivity to cold. As described by the Oncologist, “For a couple of days after you receive Oxaliplatin you will not want to reach into the refrigerator or drink anything cold.”

So, as it stands now, my final cycle will wind up sometime in December with reversal surgery sometime afterwards.. Sure would have liked to have had all this behind me before the Holidays but if this is the plan then I'll just suck it up and deal with it.

Later.... Mike

Negotaition

I came home late this morning after winning my age group in a local 5K race and asked Sue, “Do you think we could call Dr. Berg and ask him to postpone surgery until after I quit winning my age group?”.

Running has become a way for me to forget that underlying some of the best physical conditioning I've had in years is a time bomb which needs to be diffused. I am great-full that I'm still running but realize that twelve days from now my running will be done for quite some time.

New goals will need to be set and hopefully I will approach each one of them as another race to be run. I feel like I've got that part down pretty good.

Later ...... Mike

Almost forgot, after the race, at the awards ceremony the race director addressed the crowd informing that two of the runners amongst them were battling cancer. My name was announced and as I walked up to receive a gift certificate, I heard someone (twenty years or so younger) say, “That Guy Smoked Me”. That made the grin on my face go “ear to ear”

Heat, Golf and Sanity

Well boys and girls perhaps it's time for a check up from the neck up.

I'm heading out to play golf with the temperature supposed to reach one hundred and one degrees with a heat index of one hundred and ten. At least it's not tomorrow, we are expecting a high of one hundred and five degrees with a heat index of one hundred fifteen.

Yikes!

I'll append my results to this post this evening.

Mike

Here it goes, it was hot on the Golf Course but a Great Breeze and lots of Water made the day quite enjoyable. Carol Valley is an unusual golf course in that it has six par threes and five par fives. The par threes are all pretty difficult and two of the par fives are "Killer Long". All in all a challenging course. I shot a "team" eighty four. "Team" means that sometimes you try to do things that you might not otherwise do such as attacking a birdie putt or taking a risky shot that you otherwise would not have done. It also mean your not going to rack up much worse then a double boggy since at that point your probably out of the hole anyway.

Sad News

An old friend of mine, Vince Hellane,  passed away yesterday from complications after surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor.

I don't know all the details but from what I know he only found out about the tumor last Thursday after a couple months of not knowing what was going on (thinking he was fighting a sinus infection).

It's such a shock, I feel very badly for his wife, daughter and those he worked with at d'Vinci Interactive who are like family.

Please keep Vince, his family and friends in your prayers and thoughts.

Mike

Surgery Scheduled August 4th

Surgery is now only three weeks away, I try not to dwell on it but I can't help but wonder what lies ahead.

Yesterday Sue and I went to see the Ostomy nurse as our introduction to post surgical care. Even before we left for the appointment I was concerned having looked at photographs of patients with an Ileostomy. Most had "nice" big bellies with plenty of smooth surface area to attach a colostomy bag.

Not I, it turns out, my small belly, and my general midsection makeup will present a challenge necessitating a home made modification. The problem is that a normal size bag will overlap my belly button. It may even be necessary to use a small "kids" size bag to get a secure fit. Time to stock up on plumbers putty to make sure I get a good seal!

I had another surprise in that this will be located to the right and somewhat above my belly button. I had assumed it was going to be on the left hand side. UGH! I usually sleep flat on my stomach or on my right hand side, another adaptation to master.

Next week I have a appointment with the General Practitioner for a physical and EKG. The week after I'll have some blood work and a appointment with the Oncologist.

Later..... Mike 

Run Your Bass Off

Hanging on the thermostat, in our Upper Peninsula cabin's dining area you will find three bronze, age group medals, representing some past consistency while participating in the "Run Your Bass Off" 10K. Breaking with tradition, another medal has been added this year, one manufactured from the finest simulated silver.

In addition, situated on the fire place mantle, leaning on a section of newly crosscut log, courtesy of Patrick and Uncle Bill's log sawing competition held at the Amasa Fourth of July celebration, sits a Master's first place placard. Even though I earned it, this prize would have been lost had it not been for the timely return of my wife after grocery shopping.

The Masters award, for experienced runners who have obtained the age of fifty five plus is the very last award presented. So as you might imagine, by the time the race organizers get around to it the crowds have dwindled to a half dozen or so hard core runners ready to offer cheers, handshakes and recognition to the winner. Or perhaps, as I suspect most are volunteers from the clean up committee just waiting to finish their job and head home.

I thought I had won the Masters division but another name was announced. Perhaps, I thought, they had changed the age group or Sue and I had simply missed something on the results board. Oh well maybe next year, and off I headed for the car.

Sue on the other hand wanted to find out what was going on. As luck would have it, the "winner" was not present and this gave time and opportunity to get in front of the race director. Politely, Sue first asked if the Masters age group had been changed. Upon learning that it had not Sue politely again pointed out they had made a mistake.

Walking slowly back to the car I turned around twice. The first time I saw Sue with the race director pointing at the results board, the second time she was walking towards me smiling, Masters plaque in hand. I hope she saw the big grin grin on my face.

For those interested I ran forty seven minutes and forty five seconds on a hilly, almost hot and very humid course. I finished sixth overall in small field of perhaps sixty runners with my age group taking second, sixth and tenth places. Proof that we fifty plus may not be ready for the pastures yet!

Later...... Mike

Crystal View Golf Course

Crystal View Golf course is a nine hole municipal course located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan about a half hour drive from our cabin. Built in 1928 the Golf Course has an old course appeal, small but good greens and a layout that provides plenty of challenge. 

For the first couple of years when we headed to the U.P. for vacation I would take my golf clubs but had not done so for quite some time. In our "Exploring Years" there just didn't seem to be enough time and now, since no one else plays, I just sort of forgot about golf when at the cabin.

In addition to our annual trip to the U.P., the summer also marks the eastern migration from California of my college roommate, lifelong friend Joe and his family returning to visit families and friends. Though the years, Joe and I would find time to slip away and play a couple rounds of golf; perhaps saving him from joining in on shopping trips and I from a routine day at the office.

This year, with Surgery scheduled before they are due to arrive it looked like our annual pilgrimage to the links simply was not to be. Until.... Joe decided to travel and visit with us at the cabin.

To know true friendship is to know someone from San Hose who would travel to Crystal Falls to tee it up a few times. Crystal Falls is not a dream destination for golf, rather it is a logician's dream, a challenge to figure out how the hell to get there. Needless to say, Joe would board a "Red Eye" fly to Atlanta, Detroit and then Green Bay before renting a car for the final two hour drive to Crystal Falls. To make the trip "Extra Special", Joe arrived in Green Bay two hours ahead of his clothes and golf clubs.

Luck did prevail as Joe's clothes and clubs finally arrived on the next flight. In addition, I was able to reach Sue over sketchy cell phone service to let her know she could put back the twenty five percent recycled cotton underwear she had thrown in the cart "Just In Case".

Perhaps playing golf early in the morning, after little sleep and traveling a couple of time zones might not be the most recommended warm up for a round of golf but off we went anyway, headed to Crystal View.

On our way to the course we passed and I pointed out Clarence. Clarence works at the Crystal Falls IGA bagging groceries and transporting them to the parking lot for willing customers and their tips. I suspect Clarence may be somewhat challenged but I'll bet he knows how to pick out the "right" customers. I also imagine you can set a watch by his morning commute.

Arriving at the golf course before eight A.M. we were the only car in the parking lot. Outside of the clubhouse door there is a mailbox with envelopes inside meant to deposit your greens fees (fifteen dollars for nine holes, walking) in the event no one is around to collect. This morning  someone was in the clubhouse so I went in to settle up. To my surprise, there was a "ladies day special" reduced rate of nine dollars for nine holes to encourage early morning play.

Just before we hit our first drives, a group of walkers wandered around on a morning trek, otherwise it was Joe, a couple maintenance guys and I on the golf course. If you have never played golf with no one ahead or behind you on a perfect morning let me assure you it is a real treat.

I can't be exactly sure what time we finished the nine but was before ten and the the course was still virtually empty. Joe was game for another nine holes and off we went again, although this time our green fees had soared to an astonishing eleven dollars each!

Friday morning we headed back again, a few minutes later in the morning as marked by the progress Clarence had made trekking down to the IGA and our walking group had made on the golf course.

This morning Joe and I had agreed to nine holes, we would be playing again on Saturday so didn't want to "Golf Out" ourselves. This time Joe ventured inside the club house to take care of the fees and came out smiling. "Mike, it's two for one day", he told me, and then went on to explain that it was twenty seven dollars for both of us to play nine holes with a cart. "How much if we want to walk?", he asked the gal taking the fee. She replied, "Thirty Dollars." All I can say is Welcome to the U.P.

Once again we launched drives having the course almost to ourselves, laughing about the rates and enjoying our time together on the course even if our golf wasn't as stellar as it might of been.

Later ....... Mike

UP Heaven

One would not think that driving sixteen hours to go any where would be a pleasure, but in this case it was the fastest and perhaps the easiest ride to our cabin in the UP. Now that the kids are older we require less rest stops and they amuse themselves with a combination of Ipods, Ipads and laptop computers. In addition our ride this year included several hours of song and whitty conversation.

Sunday morning I ventured out for my first run which actually turned out to be two 5K road runs. Since I have very limited speed work I was interested to see what I could "turn out" and I was pleasently surprised with runs of 23:35 and 23:05. Monday I headed out for a ten miler and almost turned back because I was cold, it's so nice to have fifty degree mornings in July. Yesterday I went out for a nice and easy eight miler to shake some of the soreness out of my legs.

Yes, I admit it my legs were sore. How often do the "road runners" tell me how sore they were after a trail run, well I guess the same applies to a trail runner venturing out on roads for the first time in months. Tomorrow I may "prep" myself for the famous "Run Your Bass Off" 10 K with a rehersal run on the course. My goal is to beat last years time of 49:09.

Weather for the most part has been great, today is somewhat overcast but Joe Sokol and I managed to get in eighteen holes, having the Golf Course almost to ourselves for at least half of the round. I played well for the first nine holes shooting a 39. Two double boggys (three putts) , one birdie and the rest pars, now only if the back nine had gone as well. No matter it was great being out there.

Later.............Mike