Rebel Raccoons

Indoor Cycling provides an excellent low impact fitness workout! It can bring strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness into your routine!! Oh and let’s not forget to mention the large calorie burn as a result.

Come join me for a class at CHUZE Winrock on Tuesday and Thursday 5:45 pm! If you have never tried an indoor cycling class let me help set you up! You can use the CHUZE app to reserve a spot in the class, reservations open an hour prior to class start time (I.e. 4:45 pm).

Tonight CHUZE members filled the class and we had a “Watts-Up great time…







See ya soon!!

Aka Coach Rich

2024 - To adopt a mentality “Perseverance in spite of!”

Why this goal? Well….

June 2023 new journey of self discovery began for me. After starting and not finishing an event for the very first time in all my athletic career. When I didn’t finish the Boulder 70.3 Ironman due to difficulties breathing and elevated heart rates, and other abnormalities that I experienced (non of which I ever saw to the same significance any of the 24 Ironman event finished) I decided I needed to have some medical evaluations.

So began my journey.

I learned is that I was only breathing with 30% of lung capacity and condition considered to be COPD. So I started a treatment regimen in early July 2023. It was suspected that my condition evolved from the time I caught COVID in April 2022, as that is when I started experiencing other concerning symptoms. Secondly I learned that I had a Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) and that it would be necessary to better understand my cardiovascular condition as well.

The physician said then, “this is where a new journey begins and the pages of a story are written, I don’t want you to worry until I tell you you have to worry”. Assurances and instructions were provided. I embraced her words and spend a few days settling into a new mindset (to flow forward with the unknown, being open to new discoveries) and trusting others to let me know when time to worry would arrive. Without a doubt my world as I have known it was shaken a bit.

I followed my instructions and the trail took me into the office of a cardiologist and pulmonary specialist in the month of September. Several more tests were set up. The inquisitive nature in me had me purchasing items to data collect and trend, as to help me understand influences from environmental changes, diet, stresses, etc.

To add to the crazy, in August in a period of three weeks I crashed on my bike and got a nice concussion and left elbow which is still sore to this day, I twisted my right ankle, and I dislocated my right shoulder with a slight bicep tear… it had been a heck of three week period!!! I didn’t think I could ever swim again much less race. So I did me… I tightened my belt and dusted off myself got back up and continued with work and training as if not to miss a beat! I must confess, some days the mental challenge more difficult than others!

After wearing a heart monitor and having a cardio angiogram in September, it was verified in October that I indeed did have a RBBB condition and some irregularities in my heart beat (not enough to be concerned). So additional treatment began. In consultation with my cardiologist it was acceptable that I could continue towards my goal of completing full Ironman #8 in Cozumel (late November) as long as I modified some of the higher threshold heartbeat training sessions. It was also decided that an echocardiogram should be done after I shared a little history with the specialist. The pulmonary specialist also confirmed the initial assessment and doubled my prescribed regimen and verified that it was helping, and scheduled a follow up procedure in January 2024.

My head continued to spin and wrap itself around all the revelations. The most noticeable change in condition started in August and continues till present, if I don’t adequately rinse AND GARGLE I tend to lose my voice to a very raspy sound. Which has been a bit embarrassing to me especially at work. One day in a meeting I had some tell me that they couldn’t hear me. I was so taken back because I was trying as hard as possible to project my voice. I made no excuses and simply shared facts with the individual and others in the meeting facts were 1) that my meds burn my vocal cords and she might wanna sit closer 2) that information trending verified that I struggled more to breath in the office than anywhere else with my O2 going below 90% very often and effecting my voice as well 3) this situation is not guaranteed to go away and I would give it my best to work with it. My supervisor later that day asked me into his office and suggested I look into all the cool things regarding retiring with medical disability, which is pretty much inappropriate. I came home that day with realization of fact 3, and yes I sat in quiet trying to find solutions. The second most notable condition I noted is improved results in my training, I got a little faster being able to get oxygen, the third very noticeable condition was the effect of the office environment on my O2 levels, no bueno!

During this time, I found much needed solitude while riding my bike and training for Ironman. Yes I did finish Ironman #8! Yes I did have a crying celebration at mile 20 of the marathon. To have crafted the ability to get back up and dust off was one thing… to realize that I can get back up and continue without dusting off is the absolute! To achieve sometimes we have to continue with what is put upon us, the hand we are dealt.

On Dec 15, 2023 I received my echocardiogram results. I learned that a condition I had as a teenager at 14 years of age did not actually resolve itself. I spent a few days since reflecting and trying to understand my understanding of foggy details back in that time. I was told I could not continue playing football, so I stopped. I vaguely recall that I was told I had a heart condition that I would outgrow. I remember my father and I walked a pilgrimage up Mt. Santa Cristo, and we prayed and a few weeks later was told that I was healed. I honestly over all these years grew not knowing I had a condition!

I now have an understanding as to why from time to time I get dizzy, tired, and other things whether I am sitting or moving, lol after 46 years I know now why I almost passed out in wrestling matches, why I lose my breath. I learned that I have a regurgitation with a heart valve, a leaky valve. I was kinda surprised to learn this, and again, sat for hours trying to understand it all when I got home.

I did ask if I could continue the healthy and athletic lifestyle I have enjoyed over the years and the answer was yes! Yes leaky valves can present issues, yet the good news is that it is the one valve should you get to pick for leaky that doesn’t require immediate attention unless conditions get worse. Per the Cardiologist, had I just started this lifestyle the answer is no… I should not start such a big lifestyle change with my condition…yet moderation is key. I suppose when I said my prayer back 46 years ago it was not for a cure, but for the miracle of “Perseverance in spite of” … I suppose I prayed for ability to find strength and courage to continue…. My daughter (Nicole) gifted me a Jaguar and said to me that in Mayan and Aztec culture it is a symbol of such…. I placed it where I can see it daily.

That is my goal for 2024! Perseverance in spite of…!

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https://www.advance.com/news-/advance-completes-acquisition-of-the-ironman-group

ADVANCE COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF THE IRONMAN GROUP — Advance Today Advance announced it has completed its acquisition of The IRONMAN Group from Wanda Sports Group. The transaction was first announced on March 26, 2020. Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on investments in the media, entertainment and consumer sectors, partnered with Advance as a co-i

9 indoor cycling videos are still available at the link below! FREE!

Each with a different routine and playlist! Don’t have a bike, then consider running to them. If you are running you can add speed or increase incline every time I change the intensity of the routine.

Enjoy!!

Happy Father’s Day!

FE26TriCoach, LLC Free - Indoor Cycling workouts, training tips (coming soon). FE26TRICOACH, LLC Coach Rich Elite Level 3 Certified Cycling Instructor Matrix Certified CXP Ins...