Randy's Blog (7)

First, I would NEVER trivialize TBIs. As a survivor, I understand all too well the challenges of living with such an injury. That said, I had to share a story with you all about my recovery. Recently, my wife and I were talking about my hospital stay and the days immediately following my accident. I have very limited memory of the events but I do have some vivid memories. One thing that I did remember was that my wife stayed with me at the hospital for several days. What I did not know was tha… Continue

As contrary as this sounds, I feel best after a hard workout. I was always an early riser and did most of my training before my day started. I would be on the bike or in the gym (if the gym opened this early) at 4 AM. I got away from this routine during my recovery. Now I am back at it. And I will never guve it up! I did a good hard effort this morning at 4 AM in cooler temps and fog and I loved it! Last year at this time, I was prohibited from riding due to my TBI and even wondered if I would… Continue

This weekend I did my first race in nearly a year. In all, it went pretty well. The course was one of the more technical ones that I have raced, and at an elevation of 7,000 feet. We did seven laps and should have done more but I had some vision issues. I have a set of Oakley sunglasses that have intgerchangeable lenses: one in medium gray and the other in yellow. These lenses were specially modified by neuro-opthalmologist to reduce double-vision. I only had the gray lenses. The course had sev… Continue

Injured? Who me? Well, yes, I was injured and, yes, I had a TBI. A pretty good one, too. At least that is what I'm told. You see, I do not remember the early days of my injury immediately following the crash very well. But I do remember the day that it happened. In detail. And I can recall many things about my recovery and convalescence. Really recall things. Not just remember thoughts that were "suggested". It is coming up on the one-year mark since I went down. Regrets? Heck no! No looking ba… Continue

Did two nice road rides this weekend. The first one was with the local Irvine club riders. It was 40 miles at a decent pace. Unfortunately, the riders that morning were a mixed bag as it relates to riding experience. All were pleasant company. We were riding in a paceline and the rider in front of me failed to make me aware of a hunk of debris in the road. I hit it squarely with both my front AND rear tires. I recently built up a new set of rims with DT Swiss RR 1.2 semi-aero rims mated to Amer… Continue

To Mary Ann, mother of my three children, To daughter-in-law Anel, mother of my two grandchildren, Samantha and Tyler. I can still remember Anel and Sammy visiting me in the Rehab Center. Sammy's red plastic slippers clinking down the tile hallway with every step, bringing back memories of the "Wizard of Oz". To daughter-in-law Jeanny, new mother to my granddaughter Antonia Frances, sorry if I worried you. I was inspired by you and knew I had to come around and awaken from my sleep so that I c… Continue

It's 4:35 AM and I am just finishing up some work. My body is still on Eastern Time (US) from a recent business trip. I am doing two-a-days to help shed some of the baby fat that appeared this past winter and spring. Usually I am racing by now and would have had several events behind me and my weight in check. This year was a bit different. I do some LSD (long, slow, distance) miles in the morning and then some hill repeats later in the day. Why the urgency? I am doing a big race in July and… Continue