Bad news (century training)

[indysteel]

((((Beth)))). How scary. I hope the surgery helps. One of my childhood memories is of my brother's own detached retina. He was only 18, but is horribly myopic. I've been schooled in the risks and warning signs for years. I've had a few scary moments myself thanks to my own horrible eyesight, but thankfully, my retinas are still intact. Now I have to worry about the effect of Graves' Disease on my eyes, along with a host of other vision problems. So, while none of my problems rise to the level of detachment, I do sympathize. Take care of yourself; the bike will be there when you're ready for it.

[OakLeaf]

(((((Beth))))) Good luck with the surgery and the healing. You'll be back, and your bike will be waiting for you.

[Velocivixen]

You know that saying about when one door closes, another one opens....
Please take care of yourself and your vision. It's priceless. You will have so many other opportunities to ride centuries and other rides. Now you will slow down...smell the roses. We will be here for moral support and good energy.

[Crankin]

Take care of the eyes first! Your bike will be waiting when you can get back to riding.
But, just remember, some of us never "train," we just ride. And that is exactly how I prepared for the one century I have done. My longest ride was 65 miles and I managed to complete the 103 miles in 6.5 hours, with no apparent ill effects.
Just saying...

[DarcyInOregon]

Another perspective is that biking a century is for the cyclist to have a goal of doing a more difficult ride than usual, to test the cycling fitness with respect to age and health. But it doesn't have to be a century, because a 30-mile ride can be a test of fitness with respect to age and health also, depending on the individual. Now that you know about your eyes, set your goals for next year, and the length of the rides will be related to your health during 2012. A half century or metric is just as monumental to complete as a full century.

Here is what I mean. On September 10 I was one of four Tour de Cure cyclists who volunteered to man Rest Stop #2 for Step-Out Portland, the event for walkers to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. The rest stop was at mile 3.5 of the longest route of 6 miles. Many of the walkers were insulin dependent diabetics, and though for us, the volunteers at the rest stop who are distance cyclists, a 6-mile walk is hardly any effort, for these diabetic walkers completing 6 miles was monumental, equivalent to the volunteers biking a difficult century. We were proud of the walkers, out there in the heat doing their best.

That is what it is all about. The fitness fluctuates from year-to-year and the biggest factor is health. A half century or metric one year is just as significant as a 30-mile route or a full century on another year. In other words, like others said, there are more centuries in your future and if not, there are shorter bike rides or other activities to test the boundaries of your fitness. Good luck!

[smittykitty]

Beth, so sorry about your eyes. But as everyone has said: Take care of them. It sounds like you have a very good doctor taking care of you.

Bikes are very patient, they will be waiting and ready when we're ready for them.

And well said Darcy.

Healing thoughts to you.

[Nick]

Oh my goodness. Scary stuff. Eyes are precious, take care of yourself. Biking can wait... you'll be ready, stronger and in full force once you get through all this. Retinal medicine can do wonders, nowadays. Wishing you a rapid healing.

[skywalkerbeth]

Hello everyone

Thank you for all the good vibes! I'm in a much better mood today. The bad eye is slowly improving, and, I asked the doc today about the "good eye" which has the retinal issue. There is only one "thin" spot that he saw, so far, and it's at the bottom which he said is the best place to have it if you are going to have it. Gravity will help.

I cannot get it "tacked down" (think of a tent you don't want to flap all over, you nail it down) until my bad eye heals up more than it is.

But I still cannot risk it. There is too much at stake. I am blind in one eye (the bad eye) and the good eye is the only one I have.

Indy, so sorry to hear about the Graves disease! What is the prognosis, is it mostly under control?

Vixen, I think that someone must be watching out for me. This would never have been discovered if my "bad eye" were not bad enough to warrant being sent to this specialist. Must have been a reason.

Crankin, that is a great time! I was hoping to finish in 8 hours. I guess this time off gives me a huge head start for the next year's rides...

Darcy, those are great points. And I know how tough exercise is when you have diabetes, both of my parents have it and when we go do things we have to keep a constant eye on their blood sugar.

Everyone, thank you again, I was really down yesterday. I feel better today and I'm going to be well ready for next year!

[ny biker]

There are also plenty of other rides you could do before the Sea Gull next year -- various metrics and half-metrics -- to help you get in shape for it and have some fun along the way.

I like these alot --

http://endhungercalvert.org/bike/

http://www.ohbike.org/events/rural_legacy_eflyer.html

They are both in southern Maryland, on the western side of the Chesapeake, if that's not too far from you.

[skywalkerbeth]

ny biker, I will be looking for other rides so thank you for the heads up. I had the Seagull on my mind because it seemed like a good "first century" because it is flat, and, I have several friends who are riding in it.

I didn't mention this earlier, but, the reason the "good eye" issues are freaking me out so much is that I am blind in my bad eye. Meaning I only have one eye that actually works. If the good eye goes bad, I am SOL. For real.

The bad eye started going bad in my mid-20s, and at the risk of sounding like "poor pity me", 45 is a bit young to be going through all this bullshit with the other eye.

[tzvia]

Oh my, plenty of time for cycling later, yes take care of yourself first. Vision is priceless. Hope you get better soon.

[tulip]

ny biker, I will be looking for other rides so thank you for the heads up. I had the Seagull on my mind because it seemed like a good "first century" because it is flat, and, I have several friends who are riding in it.

I didn't mention this earlier, but, the reason the "good eye" issues are freaking me out so much is that I am blind in my bad eye. Meaning I only have one eye that actually works. If the good eye goes bad, I am SOL. For real.

The bad eye started going bad in my mid-20s, and at the risk of sounding like "poor pity me", 45 is a bit young to be going through all this bullshit with the other eye.

Thinking of you, Beth. I, too, am blind in one eye (since I was 17; I'm 43 now) and take extra care of the good one. It's just something that we have to live with. PM me if you want, as I don't want to get into details here but will be happy to listen and commiserate and exchange experiences, ideas, and coping strategies offline.

There are many metric and English centuries next year in central and eastern Virginia next year, too. I hope to see you at one!