Hello everyone! Good news and bad. Last week I had a doctor's check-up. 

My family and I were hoping I would be getting the brace off, but after looking at my X-rays it became apparent that another month enclosed in my plastic shell was a more likely future.  While the fusions had set nicely, the vertebra that had the most damage was still soft and we did not want to take any chances.  Though disappointed a bit, I would much rather leave the brace on for another month than take it off and end up re-injuring my back.  The good news came in two forms - I can get on the trainer (while wearing my brace) and contrary to my early beliefs of not racing until next February, I would be good to go as soon as August. 

A look into my training plan for the next few weeks - Walk three times each day totaling 5-6 miles. Two trainer rides each day, 30 min for now working up to 1 hour.  One leg squats three times a week.  Hill repeats (walking) three times a week.  I believe next season will be a break through for me.  My hunger to train hard and race well is growing with each week.  Mentally, I feel myself gaining confidence.  I had always put so much into just 'making it' in the sport, that I lost all sense of why I did it in the first place.  I love the bike, the art of riding.  The way the pedals churn, how the power transfers from your legs to the road, not touching the brakes through a corner and the ever present wind.  The energy of a race.  I want to go train.  I want to hurt.  I want to help the team win.  I want to win. 

Ride safe but ride hard everyone, it takes a split second to change things! 

Thacker