Wisconsin Off Road Series
Crystal Lake Classic
Rhinelander, WI
I started out by researching which category of Mountain Bike (MTB) class to race in. There were actually five to choose from. I was able to eliminate three immediately. The First Timer class I knew was not for me. The Pro and Comp were not even an option because, you have to earn your way into them. It came down to Citizen and Sport class. Citizen was described for racers who are trying to get into the sport and are shorter length races. Sport was described for racers who want to begin the competitive circuit, workout 2-4 hours a week, and enjoy longer races. I chose sport because I wanted a circuit that would push me to improve and I was right. Out of 146 racers who finished I took 137th place. 16 racers did not even finish.
So what happened, why did I get passed by almost all of the racers who raced that category. I could and need to improve my workout, but that would not have mattered during this race.
I founded On Point Foundation to help disabled service members feel competitive again. The men and women who protect the United States do it because they feel the drive inside them to do more then just wake up and go to work. They believe they can accomplish more. They continually strive to hone their skills to improve their abilities which will allow them accomplish the mission of Protecting You and I. Part of this ever-continuing goal to improve instills a competitive nature in everything they do and an unwavering commitment to not quit. So when one of these people gets injured and can no longer compete in their job using the skills they have learned throughout the years, then what. The competitive drive is still in them and they look for alternate methods to compete. The alternate methods are no longer free and the money spent adds additional burdens. On Point Foundation tries to lesson their financial burden by paying for their race entry fees.
My injury changed my life and only my closest friends and family really know how. If you see me walk down the street you would not know anythingwas wrong with me. If you saw me MTB race you would only think “why is he so slow, he looks like he is in good shape.” I am writing this special race report to inform, it is neither for sympathy nor an excuse for my performance. I want to educate you on the difference of competing with a disability or severe injury.
I have a lower spinal fusion, extensive nerve damage, and hips that are beginning to blowout. If you are injured and you go to the hospital they will always ask you for you pain level, a 1 (I feel fine) to 10 (I just got hit by a bus). I am sitting here in my chair typing this report and my lower spine is at a pain level of 4. My pain never goes below a 4 and everyday reaches at least an 8. When a normal person works-out they push themselves to their point of not being able to handle the muscle pain or exhaustion. Now, pretend you had a severe sprained ankle and you were running on the treadmill. What would slow you down? Your thighs burning because you ran so fast and long? No, you would not even get to that point because, your pain level in your ankle would not allow you to move past a certain speed. Not only would your ankle pain level shoot way up, but the increased pain level would also take an enormous toll on your endurance resulting in slowing you way down. If you pushed yourself as fast as you could you would still be exhausted at the end of the run, but the only thing sore would be your ankle. If the pain went away you could run again, your leg muscles would not actually be exhausted.
This is what happened to me during this race. I cannot explain why, but when I entered the single-track portion, about a mile into the race, my lower spinal pain quickly increased to a pain level of 10. I felt like I got hit by a bus and I just began the race. I know my body and how to manage my pain. I knew the only thing that would stop the pain was stopping the race and I still had 14 out of 16 miles to go. My pace slowed down to 9 miles per-hour as I pushed forward. For more then 100 minutes straight the severe pain drained me completely. The pain was so severe I even thought about quitting the race, but I knew that was not an option. So why did I continue peddling over the many bumps while it shot excruciating pain into my back. I do it to set the example. I am injured, I am in pain, but it will not control my life. Passing the finish line knowing I was not in last place was a great feeling that can only be felt by accomplishing the mission. My legs felt fine and after the pain subsided I felt on top of the world for finishing the race and fit enough to do the race again.
If you or someone you know is a disabled service member and races or wants to race, please contact On Point Foundation at info@imonpoint.org. We are here to help them go from Front Line to Finish Line.
My Next MTB Race is June 12.
See You On Point
Arlen
