SkyRise Chicago 2014 - Check!

That’s Walter and his wife Bridget (left), me and Rebecca, and my parents.  We are standing on one of those glass “shelves” at the top that let you look straight down through thick glass to the city below.  Pregnant Bridget is the only one that didn’t climb the Willis Tower yesterday.  

We started just after 7am.  Rebecca and my dad ran up to the top, finishing in 18 and 33 minutes, respectively.  My mom and Walter stayed with me.  Since I used the stair railing to climb, Walter held my right crutch.  My mom carried a bag of gatorade, energy chews, gloves, and an empty bottle of gatorade in case I had bathroom emergencies.  

I still can only step up with my right leg.  With all the excitement, I knew I was probably going too fast.  Then RIC CEO Joanne Smith stopped on her way up to say “hi” and check in on my progress.  I was on the 4th or 5th floor at that point.  Last year she passed me while I was barely moving.  She couldn’t believe how much faster I was going now.  As she went on, I realized that I had been speeding up a little to impress her or something.  I tried to slow down and conserve my energy.  

I planned on awarding myself with headphones and music at the 10th floor, which gave me a short-term goal to focus on.  At 10, I put on my music and kept on going.  Before I knew it we were at 33, the first rest area.  Last year It had taken me over 2 hours to get to this point.  This year it took me 45 minutes.  I was worried I was going too fast and would burn out.  I had to pee and look!  The bathroom is right by the stairwell! Sweet!  What? It’s locked?  How stupid!  I went around the corner to pee in the empty Gatorade bottle while Walter watched for any poor folks that might walk by.

This Chicago fireman did the entire climb in full gear with a tank on his back!

We headed up.  About that time Rebecca and my dad had rejoined us, meaning they ended up climbing the whole thing twice.  The next 33 floors flew by.  We were at 1:50.  I took a 5 minute break to sit and cool off at the rest area on 66.  My shoulders and wrists were killing me.  Then we kept trucking.  

Around 80 we got to the section of tighter staircases that I hate, because the climbers behind me have to wait for an opportunity to pass.  Every few floors, I told everyone to hurry up and pass so that I could go on again.  My dad started telling people to chill out and be patient.  A few people recognized me from the event web site, which was kind of funny.  My friend, Mark Stephan, passed me at a good clip.  Around 85, my shoulders were burning and I knew I had reached my exhaustion point.  I started taking 10 and 20 second breathers.  

Then I remembered to pray.  I started whispering to myself, “Dear Lord, give me strength.  Dear Lord, take away the pain.”  I said it over and over again.  Nothing was happening but it was good to focus on the prayer instead of my pain.  

I overheard Walter and my dad saying that I was going much faster.  Then Rebecca said that I was going at the fastest rate since she had joined at 33.  We pushed to the top and I let out a howl!  103 floors!!! 

After last year’s climb, I was frustrated that I had only made it 70 floors.  I promised myself that in 2014 I would climb the whole thing in less time than it had taken me to do 70 floors (5:15).  Then as I trained this year, I realized that was going to be too easy, so I cut the goal to be under 4 hours.  I never thought I could make it in the 3:03 that I squeaked out!  I’m very pleased, I have to say.  

It was a really cool event and it felt just awesome to get my blood pumping like that and reach the point of exhaustion.  Vince Lombardi has a great quote: “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.” That’s what I felt like yesterday.  Good stuff.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you need to find a way to get that feeling.

Thanks so much to all those who donated money (Rebecca and I together raised well over $1000!) to the RIC!  Very generous.  

So that is the story of this year’s SkyRise Chicago.  

Dear Lord, please give me patience.  Fill me with positivity and optimism.  Let me remember that even with so many difficulties, there are just that many more opportunities to overcome.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit.  Let me focus on things in my life that please You.  Thank you for Rebecca.  Thank you for my supportive family.  Thanks for Walter and all the folks I’ve met at RIC.  Thanks for giving me strength and taking away the pain.  I love you, Lord.  In Your name, Amen.

G’night - 

Chip

Climbing the Willis (Sears) Tower Tomorrow!

Tomorrow I’ll be making my second attempt at climbing the entire Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower).  It’s for the SkyRise Chicago event benefitting RIC, where I did my rehab.  It’s not at all necessary but if you feel like donating, click HERE for my contribution page.

Actually if you click on the main page for SkyRise Chicago, you can see a pic of me finishing last year.  Kind of cool that they threw that up there.  You can see how Rebecca is happy that I have finally finished, yet slightly afraid of my menacing warrior face.  I let out a primitive “AHHHH!!!!” at the end like a professional weightlifter.  Felt awesome!  Walter, one of my main therapists, is behind me there, too. 

Last year I had hoped to complete the entire tower but failed.  I started at the bottom and barely made it to the 33rd floor without passing out.  I had perhaps been overly optimistic (is there any other way to live???).  33 and 66 are the two rest areas.  Rebecca and Walter had talked me into getting to at least 53 so that I could say I did over half of the 103 floors.  But I had an idea.  In a couple minutes I had talked them into taking me up to the other rest area at 66 so I could attempt to finish.  After 5 hours and 15 minutes, I came to the top!  Only 70 of the 103 floors, but at least I worked my heinder off and felt great.  

That was a year ago.  I had also not been really ready since Rebecca and I had just gotten married a week prior and then spent the rest of the time checking out Bourbon country, Asheville, NC, and Gatlinburg, TN, as a “mini-moon” (she insisted on calling it that so that we could go to Mexico in February!).  This year, I hope to once again start at the bottom, but complete the whole thing in less than 4 hours.  So here’s my math:

Last Year:

70 floor, 1400 steps, 5:15 hours

= 4.5 minutes per floor

This Year:

103 floors, 2109 steps, 4 hours

= 2 1/3 minutes per floor, 6.82 seconds per step

So that means I have to go about twice as fast as last year and complete 50% more of the tower.  SURE LET’S DO IT!  Ha!

My last practice climb didn’t go so hot but hopefully that was a fluke.  I have been training in my 18-story apartment building.  If I start on the 2nd floor by the laundry and go to the top, it is exactly 252 steps.  Then I walk with one crutch and one hand on the wall to the elevator, go to the 2nd floor, and start over.  My biggest training climb was 1400 steps, which is equivalent to the 70 floors I did at the event last year.  I was way faster at about 2:15.  The Willis Tower is harder, though.  Higher steps and tons of people trying to pass me by the whole time.  But I’m hopeful.  Please say a prayer for me! 

Some of my friends are climbing, too.  Shannon, an upper level injury, is climbing for his 4th year.  I can still only lift up my right leg which makes stairs tedious so he is way faster than me.  Mark Stephan will probably beat us all again, doing it for his 5th or 6th year.  He can’t even feel anything below his neck.  What a champ.  Rebecca and both of my parents are climbing as well, and Walter will be back in action, helping to make sure I don’t fall.  Rebecca will fly up, basically.  Her feet MIGHT hit the stairs.  My dad claims to have done 105 floors up AND down in 22 minutes, but I am very skeptical.  Still not, bad for 66 years old.  My mom is walking up with me, titanium hip and all.  All champs.  

Prayers for everyone.  Stay strong.  Life is only as hard as we allow it to be. I need to remember that.   

Happy November!
Chip

How a Car Hit Me (again...)

Greetings from Seattle.  

Considering I sold out of the Papa John’s business almost three months ago, I am considerably busy.  I’d say that’s a good thing.  I hate the days when at about 8pm I realize all I’ve done is washed the dishes, taken Tucky out a few times and caught a couple episodes of a new show.  Or days when the most exciting thing is deciding what to cook for dinner.  So we’ve been trying to avoid that and have become fairly busy as a result.

Right now I’m in a really cool place called Zoka Coffee in Seattle, Washington.  Coffee shops are everywhere here.  I am guessing it’s because coffee goes well with light, drizzling rain.  The area is really cool, though.  Everyone is laid back and there are plush green trees everywhere (again, probably from that misty rain).  We are here visiting Rebecca’s sister Deborah, saying hi to a couple other friends, then heading on to Oregon to check it out.  Last night Deborah had a party at her place where I met some of the Brooks Beasts team and some of her other friends here.  We did this a few months ago with Colorado.  Just looking for a place that we really like as we consider the next step in life.  

A few days ago Rebecca took the GMAT and I took the GRE.  Might as well keep our options open, right?  She is thinking of getting her MBA and I… well it’s nice to have options.  Studying for that took a decent amount of time.  

We are also researching non-profits and thinking of ways of impacting the world for the better.  This injury has refocused my desires quite a bit.  I think for Rebecca, as well.  Life is short and we should all be figuring out ways to make a real difference.  If you just create wealth for yourself and pad your bank account, and then you die, what have you accomplished, really?  Right?

Physically, I’ve been training for SkyRise Chicago, again.  Here is the link if you feel like donating towards the cause - http://ric.convio.net/site/TR/SkyRise/General?px=1198622&pg=personal&fr_id=1100

The cool part is that a photo of me finishing from last year is on the web site’s main page for 2014.  A few people I know have debated on climbing and then decided to do it after considering how much harder it is for me.  My parents, mainly, and also Leslie from my apartment’s office.  We are climbing on a team with my friend Mark Block, who has had TWO spinal cord injuries and a brain injury.  He is a champ.  My friends Mark Stephan and Shannon Giblin are climbing again, too.  Should be a good time.  I’m going to try and destroy my time from last year of 70 floors in 5:15 (yes, 5 hours and 15 minutes), and do all 103 floors in under 5 hours - under 4 is my stretch goal.  I’m way faster than last year.  When I get to the top of the building, instead of having a walker waiting for me to get to the elevator and start over, I just use one crutch with the other hand on the wall to walk.  So things have improved considerably.  

The more exciting event from recent weeks was the long bike ride I joined with Rebecca.  The Evanston Century Ride.  There were several routes for 25, 50, 62, and 100 miles.  Initially I wanted to go for 100 but my butt hurts if I go for a long time (less padding back there now…) so we opted for the 50 miler.  It was really awesome to be biking that far and that fast.  I wish I had some pictures.  Anyway this is the model of handcycle I own, largely funded by Challenged Athletes Foundation (thank you!).  Mine is Kentucky Blue, though.

As you can see, it rides pretty low.  About 42 miles in, we were pushing through a residential area for the 100th time and a nice older lady in a newer Cadillac decided to pull out of her driveway just as I passed, crushing my bike and drilling me into the other lane, into oncoming traffic.  She just didn’t see me.  After being scared out of my mind for a few seconds, I got one of the witnesses to flip me upright, then two of them helped me out of the bike.  The interesting part is that the nature of the bike requires me to be strapped in, so I didn’t fall off/out when it flipped over.  I think that actually was a good thing and prevented her from running me over.

Someone called 911 and in minutes I was surrounded by an ambulance, fire truck, and police cruiser.  All I could think of was, “I hope I won’t be billed for that.” At first I was worried that Louie was crushed in the impact but he was just a little bruised.  I was totally fine.  The lady was more emotionally scarred than I was.  She insisted on bringing me a blanket to keep me warm, some coffee, some chocolate and fortune cookies, which she said she got from “the Chinese”.  She was really sweet.  

Considering that it was extremely similar to how I was hurt about 18 months ago, it really seemed like nothing in comparison.  Rebecca and I were laughing on the way home.  There were 2500 people riding in the event and I was one of two that were hurt.  What are the chances?  Am I magnet for cars?  It seemed like every car wanted to hit us on the way home.  Maybe something was in the air.  Maybe the world is out to get me.  Who knows?  Who cares??? 

Anyway I thought you would like that story.  

Dear Lord, please fill us with Your Holy Spirit.  Let us be healthy, positive, and don’t let us forget You in all we do.  Give us peace and guidance, wisdom, strength, and courage to pursue things in life that will glorify and please You.  Don’t let me or anyone else forget that we are nothing without You.  I can celebrate in accomplishments only because it is the fulfillment of the potential which you gave me, and no other reason.  Please be with all my friends and family.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a good one,

Chip

Tucky, Sports, Business, Life

A few people have pointed out that I rarely (okay, never) blog anymore.  I suppose the main reason is that I was doing it as a form of accountability to keep working hard.  As they say, life got in the way.  So here are a few updates for those interested:

Update 1: We got a dog in late June.  My present to Rebecca at Christmas was that we would get a dog.  Hey, I didn’t say how fast!  We were just really indecisive about it.  But finally we pulled the trigger.  Here is a pic of Tucky, now 4 months old.  She is a “lab mix,” according to the Anti-Cruelty Society where we adopted her.  We think the “mix” might be pit bull, but not sure.  She is awesome.  She can already sit, lay down, shake hands, and come to you on command.  She enjoys tackling all other dogs regardless of size, and pulling down your shorts when you’re not paying attention.  

Update 2: On the 1st of July, I sold my business.  Seven Papa John’s stores in Chicago are no longer my responsibility!  It was bittersweet.  It was hard to let go of something that consumed so much of my life since late 2009, but at the same time it is a lot of stress off my shoulders.  I am overall very happy with the decision and I AM VERY INTERESTED IN TALKING WITH ANYONE THAT HAS IDEAS OF WHAT I CAN DO NEXT! That was a not so subtle suggestion that you reach out to me if you have an idea or just would like to talk.  The food business is probably not my first choice.  I am open to anything, so long as I can be creative, help grow a company, and do something interesting.  Rebecca is also looking and has years of operational experience at the corporate level if anybody knows of anything there.  

Update 3: Progress.  I am still getting stronger.  My biggest hope is that Louie actually starts using some muscles that have been inactive for a long time, now.  I would do anything for Louie to be able to step up.  Right now I am still going up stairs with only my right leg.  Since we are talking about that, I’m planning on doing the Skyrise Chicago event, again.  Last year I climbed 70 floors of the Willis Tower in about 5 hours and 15 minutes.  This year my goal is to climb the entire tower (103 floors) in under 5 hours.  Under 4 hours if I really move it.  So please pray for that.  I’ve already started training and am much faster than last year.  It’s really a cool feeling to know that I’m getting stronger.  If you’d like to donate to the cause (money goes to RIC), here is a link to the page.  

http://ric.convio.net/site/TR/SkyRise/General?px=1198622&pg=personal&fr_id=1100

I’m also handcycling, walking in halls with just one crutch and the wall for support, doing pullups, leg press, etc.  Anything that will make me sweat and work off the sweets that Rebecca keeps making.

That covers the main stuff.  It may be a while before I write again so please feel free to email me and tell me how you are doing.

Dear Lord, thank You for my life.  Thank You for giving me a strong will so that I can overcome these challenges and look to the future.  Thank You for giving me an ever-changing positive perspective and outlook.  Keep me humble but give me confidence to follow Your will fully.  Please be with those that are suffering or having troubles in life.  Remind them of Your strength and power.  Give them hope and courage.  Heal them.  Continue to heal me.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a good one,

Chip

Kentucky Oaks, Derby, and Handcycling

Life is chaotic, and I love it that way.  What’s new? 

Rebecca has been busy interviewing and traveling around.  She went to DC where she was supposed to run a half marathon with her friends.  Her bum knee kept her from running but she got plenty of time to hang out there.  Soon she’s heading to NY for a wedding.  We travelled together down to Kentucky for Derby and to see my family for a little bit there.  My aunt throws the best Derby party every year.  There you can sit on the couch, eat awesome southern cuisine, have some bourbon, and bet on the races which are fully televised in Kentucky.  We went to Oaks the day before, which is usually tons of fun, but this year the weather wasn’t so great and something was off with the mood.  I took the wheelchair and it just wasn’t the same.  When everyone else is standing, being in a wheelchair pretty much sucks.  I think Rebecca and I ended up down a whopping $30 or so.  I even got in free since they didn’t have anyone taking tickets at the wheelchair entrance.  My brother Marc, his girl Alyssa, and our friend Nick came up from Dallas to hang out, too.  So that was really cool.

Oaks is about breast cancer awareness, thus the pink.

Eating with the parents at Captain’s Quarters down by the Ohio River.

Marc once again failing at doing a wheelie.  

The other cool news is that I did my first handcycling competition.  Rebecca and I drove up to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the weekend, where my team was already gearing up for Saturday’s race.  It’s the biggest 25k run in the country.  The Fifth Third River Bank Run.  It has very well-organized handcycling and race wheelchair divisions.  The weather was awesome and while I didn’t come even close to winning, it was a great time and I am pumped about doing it again.

That’s after the race.  I’m sporting one of the Papa John’s jerseys I had made in China for our biker delivery guys if you can’t tell.  

1:08 was my time.  I’ll take it.  The next race is up in Wichita, Kansas at the end of this month.  It’s entirely for handcyclists.  Something called the Wichita Cycling Omnium.  That Friday there is a time trial where they release riders every 30 seconds or so and you go 14.4k as fast as you can.  Saturday is a 24 mile race.  Sunday is a Criterium, where you go around a 0.7 mile loop as fast as you can for 30 minutes.  Then they have some sort of point system so there will be awards and whatnot.  Should be pretty sweet and I’m looking forward to it!

Overall I’m just trying to walk as much as possible, bend my knees more to make walking more normal, and try a few other challenges at home.  Yesterday I had therapy for the first time in weeks and was tested on strength and functionality.  I’m definitely getting faster.  And for the first time, I was able to turn a full 360 degrees without using any assistive devices.  It’s balance, mostly.  

Thank you all for your continued prayers.  This is a lifelong battle but I think with your help and God’s, I am winning.

Thanks,
Chip 

One Year Video

Here’s the YouTube link to the video I just finished from my first year’s worth of recovery from my spinal cord injury.  It’s good to look at how far I’ve come.  The first few weeks I had absolutely no motion below the waist.  Now I can walk around with crutches and to a reasonable degree, canes.  This is going to be a lifelong battle and I couldn’t go through it without God and without the support of friends and family.  Thank you so much!  I really do love you all.

I realize that some of you won’t like my music selections, but the lyrics and intensity represent my path pretty well.  All the other ones with fitting lyrics were way too sappy. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXkSNcb7cWA&feature=youtu.be

Have a good one!  Here’s to good weather in Chicago!
Chip

1 Year Post-Injury

Yesterday was both a year since my accident and 41 years since my parents got married.  Happy anniversary, mom and dad!  It’s safe to say that this year their anniversary was considerably better than last year, when they got a call saying I had been badly hurt in an accident.  Sorry about that. 

I’m working on a video compilation that will show where I am at the 12 month mark, both for my own journalling and so that other SCIs can see what they might expect.  Hopefully I’ll have it up in a week or so.  

Here’s where things stand right now.  I can:

• Walk up stairs with my right leg


• Walk down stairs with both legs, but much better with my right


• Shuffle along precariously with no assistance for about 10 or 20 feet before I’m completely exhausted


• Walk slightly less precariously with one cane for 20 feet


• Walk 50 feet with one crutch


• Easily walk with two canes


• Very easily walk with two forearm crutches (average about 1mph for long distances)

The latest is both the using of one cane and also that I can stand up from a seated position by kind of pushing off of the seat.  It’s not at all smooth and multiple people have said it looks like I’m dancing, but I can do it.  

I don’t know why they call it an anniversary when it’s a year after the accident.  Some people celebrate it I guess.  They celebrate the fact that they didn’t die that day.  I prefer to be a bit more of a realist, apparently.  I do thank God for all the progress I have made and that I didn’t die that day.  But I’m not sure it’s worthy of celebrating.  To me it’s kind of grabbing at straws.  Like, “Yeah, your life is hard as heck, but at least you didn’t die!”  Okay… YAY!  Haha… 

I’m sure it wasn’t on purpose, but RIC somehow was able to have a mailer featuring me sent out to a bunch of donors (I’m guessing) that ended up arriving yesterday, on my year anniversary.  

I like the part about writing down goals.  I didn’t know they were going to do this so it was a nice surprise.  

I will work on the video and post sometime soon, if I can figure out iMovie on my Mac.

Dear Lord, please fill me with Your Holy Spirt.  Please be with those in my family that are injured right now.  Heal them.  Please heal Tyler, Jayme, Tony, Joey, Juan and all the other guys (and girl) in wheelchair basketball, Adam and the folks in handcycling, Feranmi, and everyone else that needs Your help.  Please be with the Partin family as they grieve Rob Sr.  He left a big hole in this world.  Please help us understand Your will so that we can follow it.  Please guide me in all my decisions in this difficult and incredible life.  Help me to glorify you.  Give me wisdom.  Give me strength.  Give me perseverance.  Use my life as You see fit.  I love you.  Repaying your debt is a hopeless endeavor and yet I will do my best, anyway.  In Jesus’ name, amen.  

Okay I’m off to work!  God bless you all.

Chip

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This is my first attempt at using 2 canes instead of 2 forearm crutches.  They are far less stable which means I need to put more weight on my feet and have better balance.  It went a lot better than I expected.  This is 11 months and one week after my injury.

Honeymoon with The Beagle

A couple weeks ago, Rebecca and I finally went on our “official” honeymoon.  I say “official” because we actually took a trip for several days after the wedding, but since there was no beach involved, that was not a honeymoon according to The Beagle Dictionary.  If you haven’t figured it out, Rebecca is the infamous Beagle.

As usual we were in a rush to leave on time.  We headed to the airport for Puerto Vallarta by way of Minneapolis.  It came down to the wire, but I decided to leave the wheelchair at home and force myself to walk everywhere.  I think it was the right move, even though it left me completely exhausted every night.  

I was in a great mood at the airport after also deciding against the wheelchair assistance there.  I walked to check-in, through security, and to the Delta Lounge where we had access thanks to Rebecca flying a ton over the years, despite the fact that she is terrified of flying.  The world traveler that hates the “travel” aspect of it.  Pretty funny if you ask me!

There was amazing weather in Mexico which made for a great escape from the worst winter ever in Chicago.  85 degrees and sunny every day.  No rain at all.  We managed to book most of our trip using miles, including the hotel, which turned out to be all-inclusive (we weren’t sure it would be).  The food and drink was so-so there but at least it was free.  It took us a couple days to realize the best deal at the bar was a shot of tequila since they couldn’t fudge on the alcohol.  

We took a couple day excursions to beaches only accessible by boat.  Since the trips to and from were long, the boats had the added bonus of whale-watching.  We were lucky enough to see several humpback whales breaching (jumping) out of the water over and over again.  It was truly powerful and in that setting it’s hard to not be in awe of God’s creation.  

The best part, aside from the amazing weather and beautiful views, was that everywhere we went, the people treated us better than anywhere I have been, yet.  The crew of the boat would hold me under my arms to make sure I didn’t fall when boarding.  The hotel staff brought me food from the buffet since it was obvious I wasn’t getting it myself (unless Rebecca was there - then she got it…).  The taxi drivers were always asking if I was comfortable or if there was anything else they could do.  I couldn’t believe it!  It made the experience that much easier for both of us. 

The second or third day I got extremely frustrated as we were planning the excursions.  I wanted very much to be able to go on the zip-lining tour or the jungle hike.  It was a crushing reality to one by one, cross out the tours that weren’t good for me.  It hit the hardest when, after I had selected what I thought was a simple tour about the history of the city on a bus, the guy told me that you could only get on the bus by climbing a ladder on the back.  Very frustrating!  They could have helped me, sure, but I didn’t want to make a scene or something.  I just wanted to relax and enjoy my honeymoon.  

It frustrated Rebecca equally, but she was happy with the tours we took. The whales were amazing.  One of the tours was to a beach accessible through a rock cave in the water.  From the boat, it looked like a island made of rocks.  But there was a cave you could swim through that opened up into a secret beach surrounded by rock on the sides and open on the top where the sun shone through.  The boat was anchored about 150 yards from the mouth of the cave and rocking with the waves.  People were getting off the back with life vests and snorkeling gear to snorkel and swim through the cave and onto the beach.  It was unclear whether I would be able to do this.  They started ushering Rebecca away from me and I decided to try it.  I got up, walked over to the stairs (no braces, just Keens that I used to use for sailing).  I almost fell forward down the stairs and said, “I don’t think this is gonna work, guys,” but one of the crew said he’d help me.  Very unsteadily, I walked down the stairs and to the edge of the stern.  I was scared!  I handed one of the crutches to the guy helping me and just kind of fell into the water.  Rebecca freaked out - not for my safety but because I had gone in with one of those very expensive crutches.  Of course I still had it and handed it back up to the helper.

This is the view from the boat of the cave we swam through.  You can barely see it there in the middle. 

The tour guide stayed with me as I started making my way to the cave.  ”Have you helped people like me do this before?” I asked.  ”No.  Never.  This is a first for me!”  When he later told me that he had been doing his job for years and they only got one day off every week, it hit me how crazy that really was!  But swimming felt great and with the life vest, snorkeling was a breeze.  We went to the beach where I didn’t have much of a choice but to sit there for a bit (no crutches or anything to walk with).  I decided to get back into the water and made my way to the cave, where a crew member was kind of keeping guard.  He kept me from going into the ocean and spoke with me for a bit, getting me to practice my spanish.  He asked about my injury, then about my faith.  He told me a story and then started praying with me.  Then he looked me dead in the eyes and said, “I believe in my corazon, my heart, that you will walk again.”  I thought for a minute and responded with “Creo tu Corazon.”  And then, thinking I spoke spanish well, he started talking quickly and I understand almost none of it.  

When we left the ship at the end of the tour, they took a photo with us.  Jose, who spoke with me in the cave, insisted that I take his necklace, which was fabric and had two square photos at each end.  On one end was the Virgin Mary and the other end, Jesus.  It was really touching and even though I protested, I ended up with the necklace.

They wanted to do a Charlie’s Angels pose I guess.  Jose is the guy I’m pointing to.

We had lots of other good stories there but that was one of the best.  The boardwalk was great for walking and watching the sunset, even though it made me regret leaving my wheelchair.  The restaurants were really top notch - we went to an awesome Italian place one night… wow!  Good stuff.  

Dressed up for fancy Italian.

Overall a great trip.  We were even lucky enough to get upgraded to first class on the way home.  And in retrospect, not taking the chair was a good move.  Immediately after the trip I was saying I should have taken it to better enjoy the boardwalk and trips to the marina.  But what I’ve realized is that all that walking (a quarter mile to the breakfast area each morning!) really increased my endurance.  I can go out multiple times a day without the wheelchair now.  It’s really great.  

That’s where we had breakfast each morning.

As for my therapy, I’m about to post a video for that.  It’s pretty exciting for me and a big step towards more progress.  I attempted to use canes instead of crutches and it went pretty well.  Much better than I expected, in fact.  The doctors say that the biggest indicator for more recovery is that I’m already experiencing recovery.  It’s a very good sign that I’m still recovering in months 10 and 11.  Everyone is saying that progress will continue, which is fantastic news for me.  So praise God for that.

Thanks so much for all your support and continued prayers.  I could write a novel on a lot of other stuff going on, but I’ll spare you… for now :)

A view from a boat as we left the city.

On the boardwalk at sunset.

G’night,

Chip

One Year Goal Attempt...

My goal for a long time - maybe since last May or so - has been to walk with just one crutch or cane at the one year anniversary of my injury, March 31, 2014.  Walter and Tiffany have been in on that with me.  It’s my official goal in their logs of my therapy sessions.  About 7-8 months ago I added a quantifiable aspect to the goal: walk with one crutch or cane for 50 feet.  

The last few sessions in therapy I’ve made good progress towards that goal.  Last week, specifically, I had a good moment where I tried leaning more to the left to swing my right leg through.  Suddenly it made moving my right leg much easier.  I attribute this to my back getting stronger (although still very atrophied) and better overall balance.  Using just my left crutch, I walked about 16 feet or so without a ton of trouble.  At the end of the session I told Walter let Tiffany know that in my next session I wanted to go ahead and attempt my 50 foot goal, even though it’s 1.5 months early.

That brings me to today.  I had therapy this morning with Tiffany.  As I was putting my crutches together and getting ready: 

Tiffany: “When we do the 50 foot, one crutch attempt do you want to use the harness and track system or just have me hold onto your belt a little?” 

Chip: “No harness or anything.  I don’t want there to be a doubt of whether or not I had a little assistance.”

Tiffany (with slightly nervous look): “Well okay!”  

I warmed up same as usual by doing a quick lap around the floor.  Then Tiffany said, “Okay let’s try it!” And I kind of freaked out.  Already?  Don’t I need to stretch or maybe do another exercise first?  I chickened out and went to the parallel bars.  I used one crutch in that much safer setting for a bit, building my confidence up.  Then I headed back out to the main hallway.  

On my right side was the wall, in case I tipped over.  Tiffany held onto the safety belt that went around my upper waist.  I said a prayer as she explained something (I wasn’t paying attention since I was nervous and praying).  I started going, using the new technique I figured out last week with Walter.  It was tough and I was sweating quickly but I happily made it!  50 ft with one crutch!  I didn’t rely on Tiffany or the wall once.  And the best part is that it took me just 2 minutes!  So I’m psyched!

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Chip

10 Months Post-Injury - COME ON LOUIE!!!

I got up at 6:15am this Sunday morning.  The first basketball game wasn’t until 9am but a) it’s at the Kroc Center which is on 119th St. down south and b) I had to catch the bus downtown in order to ride with Coach Trent along with all the equipment.  It snowed several inches in Chicago this weekend.  In fact it seems to snow continuously.  That made for the usual sporadic shoveled sections of sidewalk on the way to the bus stop. As expected, the sidewalk next to the city park fields were covered in snow.  Previously I’ve tried pushing my way through that - a slow process leaving me late for whatever meeting I’m headed and exhausted.  Having learned my lesson, I decided to push down the oncoming lane on Montrose Ave.  

Usually it’s very busy but it was early Sunday morning so the traffic wasn’t too bad. It’s both embarrassing and hilarious to see the looks on drivers’ faces as they pass.  The funny part was when I saw the bus coming, still a block away.  I cursed to myself and wondered when the next bus would arrive and how cold it would be to sit there and wait.  Then I realized the bus wasn’t leaving yet. I pushed as fast as I could down the middle of the street hoping to catch the driver’s attention. The bus started driving away and I yelled and waved my arms.  The bus stopped.  I can’t imagine what it looked like in snowy Chicago to see a guy in a wheelchair flying down the street.  The driver lowered the ramp in the middle of the intersection (he’s not supposed to do that but I’m thankful), causing the ramp to be fairly steep.  I was going at a decent speed so I risked it and popped a wheelie onto the ramp, giving me enough momentum to make it far enough to grab the railing inside.  ”You’re lucky I saw you!” He said with a laugh.  I told him I was glad he did to which he replied, “You’re the man!” and laughed again.

As I write this, it’s snowing, yet again.  The snow is making it really tough to get around.  It might as well be raining sand.  I can’t even jump in a taxi like I might have pre-injury thanks to the stupid wheelchair.  Add to that my need to pee within 2-5 minutes (an improvement) of getting “that feeling”, and that creates a scenario where I am - about once a day - looking for a good secluded alley to relieve myself into a Gatorade bottle.  Good times!  The city is good about clearing the streets, but not-so-much the sidewalks.  That equation results in me using the street on a regular basis to get around.

Basketball has been a learning experience, to say the least.  It’s fun and a great workout, but I hate sucking and I hate losing.  I feel like I’m in the 8th grade all over again getting cremated from my poor attempts at football.  One time I was hit so hard I saw nothing but green for a day.  I worked hard to get decent at sports over years.  Now I have to start all over again. I am not a fan of that, but at the same time it gives me a reason to look at other things I haven’t in a long time.

I joined a local choir called Chicago Chamber Choir.  My friends give me grief but it’s nice to sing with trained vocalists for the first time in years.  I really enjoy it and they are very understanding of how slow I am getting around.  

I am also getting involved with Dare2Tri, with the hope of doing some triathlons later this year.  I have yet to swim thanks to this weather (the pool keeps closing on the days I try to go), but I’ve hand-cycled a couple times and it has gone well.  Another good workout, too.  I’m signed up for a 25k hand-cycle competition in Wisconsin the weekend after Derby in May.  Should be cool.  

All that and I’m very active with work at the moment, too.  So I stay pretty busy and pretty tired.  

Therapy progress: This past Friday was my 10 month anniversary.  We did some balancing drills where I stood unassisted and tossed a 6 lb. ball back and forth with Tiffany.  I am hoping when it warms up I’ll be ready to throw a football around, or even a baseball with glove if I get really good.  I’ll keep the walker, close, of course.  I’m not THAT good!  :) 

The best news about therapy was really two-fold:

We did the Pilates strength machine where you basically do leg presses.  I was doing single leg presses.  The last time I did this was maybe 6-8 weeks ago.  Ralph was able to do the full resistance for a few reps and then many more at slightly lower resistance.  Ralph did great as usual this time and showed that he was getting stronger.  He was able to do as many reps as I wanted him to at the full resistance.  

Louie was the reason I celebrated, though.  Last time, he was able to do some reps at the lowest resistance: 1 blue spring.  This time, Tiffany started adding springs until I finished with Louie.  I was working my left leg out with 2 reds and 1 blue spring.  That’s a huge improvement for Louie!  Come on Louie!  Catch up with Ralph!!!

My endurance standing is great now, too.  Combined with better balance I’m able to do more and more.  The last couple days I’ve been really testing it.  In the kitchen, especially.  I cooked a full meal - pan-seared chicken, couscous, and even chopped up some bell peppers to mix in.  It took about 30 minutes and I did it all standing.  While stuff was cooking I also did the dishes in the sink and loaded the dishwasher.  This sounds simple but it was impossible just a few months ago.  

The biggest thing to celebrate which I briefly mentioned is my peeing.  In short, I no longer have to sprint to the bathroom.  I haven’t cathed in weeks.  This is GIGANTIC in terms of long-term benefits.  Especially when traveling - not having to pack 6 caths/day for trips is going to be extremely helpful.  I can’t wait.  

Hopefully Rebecca and I take our honeymoon soon and get out of frigid Chicago.  Rebecca’s still been running outside a fair amount.  She even did a half marathon a couple weekends ago when it was 10 degrees and snowy outside.  I don’t know how she did that.  And she got 6th! 

Well that’s really it.  I’ll finish with a prayer.

Dear Lord, please don’t let me forget all the reasons I have to be thankful.  With all that is complicated and difficult in this world, it is easy to forget and to dwell on stresses and worries.  Please don’t let me do that.  Give me a sense of purpose.  Your purpose!  Show me how to follow Your will in a way that will fully utilize the gifts You’ve given me and glorify You.  Always to glorify You.  I am nothing without You.  Please make me a vessel for Your works.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Chip

[wpvideo wzCFCK5f]

This is the first time I’ve been able to take consecutive steps without holding onto anything.  The video is from therapy a week ago, 1/17/14, with Tiffany at therapy.  I walked maybe 6-8 feet.  I’m basically just kind of hopping, but it’s a start.  My balance is definitely getting better at least!

[wpvideo wgdY5EF0]

Christmas push-ups.  My form kind of sucks, but this is the end of doing about 50.  I also managed to do 150 crunches, so it looks like my back is getting more flexible.

Christmas and New Year's Edition - 12 days of no wheelchair!

Warning: this is my longest entry yet.  A lot of interesting things happened in the last couple weeks!  

Saturday night, Dec. 21, we had our Christmas in Chicago.  

Two of my presents were my favorite cake, Thousand Hole Cake, wrapped up.  I had wondered where 3/4 of the cake disappeared to and was avoiding telling Rebecca to chill on the sweets.  She also got me more advanced guitar lessons at Old Town School of Folk Music.  Should be sweet!

Rebecca was extremely happy to open the dog bowls and leash that I had gotten her, letting her know that we’d get a dog as soon as we got back.  Her happiness was momentarily dulled at the realization that she had to wait 2 weeks and that the dog wasn’t around the corner hiding in the next room.

Our overpriced dumpy tree we got in the parking lot of Jewel.  It’s basically a bush with an antenna, but we love it and refuse to take it down, yet. 

Sunday, Dec. 22, at 2:30pm, Rebecca and I were in the apartment.  I had just finished showering and she had just finished running.  We hadn’t started packing and the shuttle bus was to arrive in 30 minutes.  On top of that, we were packing for Kentucky, California, and a hike up to a hut in Tahoe, the last of which was proving to be troubling on how exactly I could participate.  

 At 3, the driver called to let me know he was downstairs.  We threw presents and wads of clothes and catheters in the suitcase and hiking backpack and basically did a terrible job of packing.  I put my braces and shoes on and headed down on the crutches.  At this point it was 3:15.  The driver told me he had to leave.  Just then Rebecca came out weighed down by our luggage.  We made it!  $3 each to get a ride from the apartment all the way to Midway airport.  One of the few perks of being labled as “disabled.”

There were a couple risks taken in this rush scenario.  I was aware of these things:

• I had a limited supply of catheters that would not get me through the trip.  I was counting on a new supply arriving at my parents’ house in Kentucky.


• We left my wheelchair at home.


• I had no idea how I was going to get up to the hut in Tahoe


• We left my walker at home since Rebecca had her arms full, already, and the guy was leaving.  So I just had my crutches.

 I’ll get to how all of these items have impacted me soon.

Christmas in Kentucky was awesome.  Leaving the wheelchair forced me to get around using either crutches or my grandma’s old rickety walker we found in the garage at my parents’ house.  At least that solved the walker problem.  I can use the crutches everywhere, but it’s much easier to stand with a walker, especially from a low seat.  We had a great visit on the 23rd at the home of my Aunt Cha and Uncle Lee.  All of my Louisville family was there.  Good times.

On Christmas Eve, I sang “O Holy Night” at two of the night services at my church back home, St. John United Methodist.  The 7 o’clock service went great.  A month ago I had planned on sitting to sing, but my balance and stamina have gotten good enough that I decided to stand and sing, just like usual.  `I walked up from the back, kept my arms in my crutches as I stood at the podium and sang.  It seems that all the strenuous activity in my recovery has given me far more breath support in singing and it felt like I had far more power.  It felt awesome and I felt very much like I was doing what God wanted me to do.

The 11 o’clock service didn’t go as well.  I waited in the back hallway, carefully stepped down onto platform, and stood with my mom behind the piano and in front of a Christmas tree.  We waited for the bell choir to finish.  As their song ended, I prepared to make my way to the podium.  I started tipping back a bit, and as usual, moved my crutches to the back to support me and keep me from falling.  Except, this time, my crutches were halted by the step behind me I had forgotten about.  I slowly started falling.  “Mom?  Hey mom…??? PSSST….  MOM!” I whispered as I fell.  CRASH!  I slammed into the bottom portion of the Christmas tree and that stupid step.  My ego was more bruised than anything else.  Actually that’s not true - I didn’t feel it at the time but my back bruised up nicely from where it hit the step.  My dad ran up on stage, helped me up, and I insisted on continuing up to the podium where I tried to ease the awkwardness by jokingly saying, “Sometimes my legs don’t do what I want!”  Then I sang very shakily, since Louie insisted on strongly spasming throughout.  I thought it was shaky - other people said it was good.  Who knows?  It’s really hard to tell if people are just being sympathetic or if they mean it sometimes.  

That’s me singing and my mom playing piano.  That pain of a step is right behind her.

My dad had us all go out to the Nays’ farm to do some shooting.  The .22 rifle jammed so the guys took turns shooting a pumpkin and some water bottles with the .30-06 rifle.  I did alright.  Rebecca didn’t shoot because it was so loud she was afraid of hurting her little ears.  

I found out later that people thought it was actually MORE impactful seeing me get up from that fall and carry through with the song.  I’m glad, since for me it was simply embarrassing!  Hopefully a few folks get the idea that when you fall down, there’s nothing to do but get up!  Right?  Anything else is unproductive. 

As usual we stayed up late after church opening presents.  After many rounds of fun games and great food, we headed to the airport to fly to California on the 26th.  One problem – my shipment of catheters never showed up.  Apparently the supplier was waiting for verification from me.  What did they think the order was?  Interest?  So I headed to California trying to figure out which local supplier might provide me with more catheters.  

I used the airport wheelchairs everywhere we went to ease up on my efforts.  Stephen and Leah picked us up at the San Francisco Airport and drove us to Nipomo.  No luck on the catheters, yet. 

While waiting for the rest of the car to get sandwiches at Safeway, I tried breaking my unassisted standing record in the sunny parking lot.  I broke 10 minutes!  New PR.  

After arriving at the Maier parents’ house, we played games and ate dinner.

That’s the Maier mom, Donna, trying to blow out trick candles.  Dad Maier, Paul, got a little impatient and tried putting the candles out… with a napkin. We managed to put out the fire before the house burned down.  It was kind of hilarious and simultaneously unnerving when the napkin burst into flames.

The next day most of them wanted to go on a long run by the beach.  Before we left, I went to the bathroom and as I walked there, I felt the urge to pee increase more than usual.  Rebecca handed me a catheter, walked away, and seconds later came back to the sound of me peeing.  I’m sorry if this is too much information, but this is a very big deal for me!  I peed on my own… standing, for the first time in almost 9 months.  It felt great.  Plus I saved a catheter!  I was scared it was a freak occurrence or something but it was still worth celebrating.  Cathing is no fun.  

They went on their run and I walked far enough to give me a good workout – maybe ¾ a mile, taking a break to check out a cool lake covered in ducks.  Afterwards we went to Pismo Beach to check it out, then headed home to open presents. 

The view from the bench I found in my walk.

The Beagle and I at Pismo Beach.  My sunglasses are crooked here.  I do not have crooked ears.

Watching the sunset at Pismo Beach.

Pismo Beach - with just HALF of the Maier clan (and Emily).

The next day we said our goodbyes and headed to Reno to prepare for the hike to the hut in Tahoe. 

Enjoying my justified right of using the scooter at Costco.

I hadn’t used my wheelchair in over a week at that point.  For the last two days, I’d only cathed before and after going to bed, to make sure I “voided,” which just means emptying.  

That left me with the hut trip dilemma.  I could probably make an entire blog entry about that, and I haven’t even gone up to the hut, yet!  I was told to not break up the entry, so here we go…

The Ludlow Hut is reached by hiking uphill in snow for 5 miles.  There is no electricity or running water.  Just two wood-burning stoves and a large pile of wood. 

Last year we had a great time celebrating New Year’s Eve there and everyone wanted a repeat experience.  The guys had even built a snow cave where we toasted the New Year and which I actually slept in that night in my zero degree bag, nice and toasty.

Obviously I’m not capable of walking 5 miles, let alone uphill and in the snow.  About a month ago, Stephen somehow contacted Candace Cable, a para in the area with years of experience sit-skiing and racing (and winning) wheelchair marathons.  She won various Paralympics gold medals in both events and has titles everywhere you look.  Candace was kind enough to talk with me for a while and walk me through all the possibilities of sit-skiing up to the hut.  She also put me in touch with Jon, who she knew was familiar with the Tahoe Rim Trail and who also used SideStix crutches, like me.  Here’s a cool video of him hiking that trail as a promo for SideStix.  He’s over a decade post-injury, I believe, and far better off than me at this point.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjsM6GhiGso

It quickly became apparent when I talked to Candace that Jon was the same guy that I had seen before in that video.  What are the chances? After seeing his video, I had high hopes of having a similar recovery.  So of course I was very eager to speak with him.

Jon talked with me for about 40 minutes in mid-December and answered tons of hard questions.  He’s an awesome guy.  As he spoke with me, he was driving by himself up to a stream in Tahoe where he planned to kayak that day, despite the fact that it was 10 degrees out.  My kind of guy!  He gave me tons of advice, including something like, “Sit-ski uphill for 5 miles?  Forget that!  No way!  Don’t kill yourself.  I mean… I wouldn’t.”  Haha… He ended the call offering to let me borrow one of his various SideStix attachments – whatever was necessary – and to pick them up when I got in the area.  That helped a lot since they are about $200 each.  Ones for snowshoeing, ones for hiking in dirt/ice, ones for sand… he’s got all of them and even helped design some.  

When I met Jon the day before the hut trip, I was amazed to see him walking to meet me, unassisted.  He said, “It’s an illusion,” and that he can only do that on flat surfaces with something to grab like a wall close by.  Still, impressive.  He happily lent me the snowshoe attachments for the crutches.  I couldn’t help but notice he had tons of toys in the garage: handcycles, a kayak, snowshoes, tons of crutch attachments, and various other fun items.  His wheelchair from the hospital was on a high shelf gathering dust.

So how to get to the hut?  Sit-skiing would only work if I also tethered myself to one or more of the guys.  But on top of that, there was apparently no snow in the Tahoe area, or very little.  Maybe it would come soon?

After talking with Jon, about 3 weeks out, I reached out to a Tahoe snowmobiling group Leah had found online.  I spoke with Duncan Lee, who heads up the group, and asked him if maybe I could rent one or get a ride up or something.  Renting was $300/day… ouch!  Ride up… maybe.  But there was still no snow, so that wasn’t going to work anyway.  Duncan swore he’d do anything can he could to help.  He mentioned he helped out his friend that’s also paralyzed and he “gets it.” That’s when I learned that this was the same Duncan that helped Grant Korgan in the book Two Feet Back, which I recently finished.  He is one of Grant’s best friends and they were together filming snowmobiling stunts when Grant took a huge 100+ foot jump and burst his L1 vertebrae.  I couldn’t believe I was talking to this guy’s friend on the phone!  So many connections… 

Duncan did a ton of research and called a bunch of his friends to help me out.  People were looking into whether or not we could just drive up in a jeep to the hut since there was such a lack of snow.  Snowmobiling was out.  4-wheeling was too expensive.  We even considered renting a mule. 

We considered switching to a different hut that would only leave me with a 1-1.5 mile hike.  Very difficult but maybe doable.  But it didn’t work out because we’d have to go different dates and our group included at least 15 other people that had all planned for the set schedule.

That left us with the hope of driving up.  The day before the hike we went to check out the trail.  Rebecca and Stephen were to run up as far as they could to see if it was drivable, then come back to the car and report their findings.  As soon as we arrived, though, a group of folks on 4-wheelers were heading onto the trail.  “How far in can you ride those?”  10-15 miles or as far you wanted!  Stephen asked, “Any chance you could come out tomorrow to give Chip a ride up to the Ludlow Hut?” Sure, no problem!  Problem solved!  So the next day at noon I jumped into what looks like a gator – 4-wheeler/dune buggy-type vehicle.  Amazing how things just work out sometimes!  PTL!

The ride up to the hut with Steve in the snow buggy (or whatever it was) was really fun.  At first he was afraid of hurting me but when I told him the vibrations actually helped kind of massage my legs, we really made a good time of it.  

Steve and I about to go up the mountain.

About halfway up, Steve mentioned how his family was leaving the next day and so he wouldn’t be able to take me DOWN from the hut.  Hmmm… I had been thinking so much about getting to the hut that I hadn’t even thought about getting back down.  Dangit!  Panic set in.

We got to the hut with no problem.  Steve went in and put my bags in the hut, said his goodbyes, and left.  I stood there with my crutches and looked at 3 gnarly, icy, steps leading into the hut.  What the heck?  I hadn’t thought about those.  They were completely covered by snow the previous year allowing us to just walk straight into the hut.  

I took a risk I shouldn’t have and tried walking up to the top step using the snow on the side.  At this point my crutches still had the original attachments and I had my Brooks running shoes on, since none of my other shoes fit my braces aside from my dress shoes from the wedding.  I didn’t want to shell out $100 for hiking boots I’d rarely use.  

I slid quite a bit but made my way to the steps.  Holding onto the house ladder with one hand and carefully using the crutch in the other hand, I stepped onto the middle step.  I slipped and almost fell.  There was no way I was gonna make it up another step.  Turning very carefully, I then sat on the doorway frame.  It seemed the safest approach would be to scoot backwards on my butt down to the step in the hut and then onto the concrete floor.  Then pull myself up onto the picnic table bench.  I made it but it was a stupid risk.  I should have just fallen into the snow outside and waited.  

Well I lucked out when Micah and Jenni walked in, having driven their 4x4 most of the way up the trail.  So I had a ride back down!  

We had a great time in the hut.  The guys helped me in and out of the hut. I even went up to the second floor to sleep, using a LADDER!  At first it felt unsafe but the second time I did it, I barely needed help, and even descended on my own the day we left.  Pretty cool.  There were 21 people there for NYE, and 15 the next day.  More games, hot cocoa, good food, good weather.  I headed down with Micah and headed out on the 2nd.  Thanks to all the guys for all the help getting around up there.  It was really questionable at first but I’m glad I went.  

Beagle and I by the frozen lake.

Trying out the snowshoe attachments.  I also borrowed someone’s Yak Traks for my shoes which helped a lot in the snow and ice.

The gang. 

The Beagle, Officer Chris Maier, and Brooks Beast - Deborah Maier

Rebecca and I even made it to Napa for dinner at a great restaurant, a wine-tasting during the day before flying home on the 3rd, and some good alone time.

Beagle and I at Black Stallion Winery. 70 degrees!  (It is at this moment -12 F or so in Chicago).  

Thank you all for your prayers.  I’m more and more encouraged about both my recovery and how many things I can still accomplish in life.  I’m paralyzed, or at least partially paralyzed from the waist down.  Yet, I’m flying around the country.  I can still sing in front of people - standing.  I’m walking everywhere.  I went up to a hut in the middle of the Tahoe mountain area that has no electricity and no running water.  I’m peeing on my own more often than not!  Life is good.  2014 will be full of amazing firsts for me.  I’m meeting with someone from an organization called Dare2Tri this week to discuss doing a Half Ironman.  Rebecca and I will probably get a dog soon.  We are planning on leaving the country for someplace interesting at some point this year.  Who knows what else?  I hope your 2014 seems equally as promising.  I mean, for me (and Rebecca), it HAS to beat 2013.  It’s a given!  

Here’s to a great 2014 for everyone.

Chip