Michelle’s blog

Ever since our move to Prescott, AZ, the elevation of 5300ft has been kicking my butt during workouts.  Riding my road bike is especially challenging with lots of hills and not a lot of opportunity for recovery in between inclines. 

To find some reasonable routes, I consulted a Cycling Arizona book Mike purchased for us.  One of the routes recommended for beginners was Walker Road.  Along Walker Road is also a beautiful park/wilderness area called Lynx Lake, which we have come to love for running along the lake path.

Anyways, the cycling book described this 10 mile one-way route along Walker Road as, and I quote, "scenic and relaxing."  Perfect, I thought to myself.  I just need to ease into this hill stuff and I will eventually be much stronger. 

The first time I decided to try this route, I started from our house.  I discovered that day it is over 2 miles from our house to the start of Walker Road.  A great warm-up if the route had not been all up-hill!  By the time I reached Walker Road, I was already sucking some serious air!  I needed to press on though.  How was I to become stronger if I gave up everytime I felt the effects of the altitude?  So I pressed on. 

The route began easy enough.  The first 200 feet could be considered flat, I suppose.  Then the hills began.  One after another.  No time for resting, recovering or coasting.  I was pumping those pedals as hard as I could while I felt my throat getting tighter and tighter.  I finally stopped after about mile 2 and took a rest.  I leaned over my handlebars, gulping for breath.  I kept telling myself I would be okay.  Just relax and breath.  I then noticed that the ground seemed to be spinning.  I stumbled off my bike and sat down on the side of the road.  Oh no, sitting made it worse and also made me nauseous!  I feebly stood up and tried to gather my wits.  Somehow I was able to make it home without falling or vomitting.  Of course, it was all downhill so I just had to hang on.

Needless to say I was quite discouraged by this first experience of Walker Road and a little p.o'd by the flowery description in the cycling book.  There was nothing relaxing about my first attempt of Walker Road. 

Mike was privy to this account of my first attempt of Walker Road and took it upon himself to check the accuracy of my account.  He took my road bike out to Walker Road and attempted to finish the whole route; to where the pavement ends.  I don't think he accomplished it the first time, but most likely the second time he tried, he defeated Walker Road. 

Well, if any of you know me at all, you know I am a little competitive...okay,, a lot competitive.  Now that Mike has proven Walker Road can be done by a Midwesterner, I have to prove that a girl can do what the boy can do!

I am happy to report that a few weeks ago (I am a little behind in my updates), I defeated Walker Road.  I pushed through the hills and ignored the burning in my lungs to reach the last hill and coast the rest of the way to the end of the pavement.  The first half of my journey took about 45 minutes.  The coast back down took about 15-20 minutes!  I wish my bike computer was working, because I am sure I was exceeding 35 mph on the way back down! 

I have not been back to bike on Walker Road again.  I think I am moving on to new conquests.  I am not, however using my Cycling Arizona for any recommendations.  Maybe I could sell it on Amazon! 

Last Saturday, Mike and I were out running errands when we decided to stop at PetCo in the shopping area we were at.  Outside of the store we found a bunch of dogs of various sizes hanging out with anyone who would stop by.  The owners were a rescue kennel from a neighboring town hoping to find adoption homes for their dogs.  We stopped intending to look at pictures of puppies and thought maybe spring time would be a good time to bring home a puppy and train it, etc.  We saw some cute pictures and looked around at the few who happened to be there that day.  Nothing struck us at first and when Mike suggested we talk to someone about the process, I quickly replied that we weren't that serious and I didn't feel that was necessary.  At that moment we took notice of an older 'puppy' (if you can call him that), chillin' out in his cage.  Every other dog there was pretty psyched up.  They seemed to be extra hyper and excited with all the commotion outside the store.  But this dog we saw was anything but hyper.  At first when we saw him, we thought he was a Huskie.  In case you don't know, Mike loves Huskies from all his times dogsledding in Canada and his parents own Huskie at home.  Naturally, Mike was instantly drawn to him.  We had the owner take him out of his cage and we had the chance to meet him.  He was very friendly but not so much that he would jump up and knock you over in his greeting.  He was calm and seemed well behaved on the short walk we took him on. 

Well, to make a long story short, we took him home that day!  So far we have taken him hiking several times and he loves it!  He is housebroken and quite obedient.  He loves being outside and even after a long day of hiking, he is ready to take another walk at night before bed.  We are really happy and have fallen in love with him.  He is a Huskie/German Shephard mix and is about 3-4 years old.  We named him Rainier, after the mountain in Washington, but call him Rainy for short!  The kennel we adopted him from had him for only three weeks and they didn't know too much about his history.  They rescued him from the pound and that is about all they know.  He is a little timid we have noticed and wonder if maybe he was abandoned or abused in the past.  He is very friendly but not exhaustingly needy.  He has the independent streak of Huskie's but loves to be near us.  He can't stand to be on the opposite side of the room from us!  The only mischief we have to report is apparently he likes to sleep on the couch after we have gone to bed!  We noticed because of the dirt and paw prints on the cushions!  We have since caught him in the act and hope to rid him of this habit before our light beige couches turn into a dingy brown!

Thought you all might like to see some pictures of him!

Last weekend, Mike and I viewed the documentary 'Sicko.'  If you don't know, it is a film by Michael Moore, an outspoken and sometimes quite controversial journalist, who did some research on the US health care system compared to other countries' health care systems.  He interviewed many people; from the un-insured and bankrupt in the United States to the doctors in the British health care system.  Throughout the film, it is quite obvious what side of the fence Michael Moore is on and what he thinks of the current health system in the US.  Some often describe Moore as a propagandist.  He uses quite a bit of satire and irony throughout his film to express his negative opinion of the US health care system.  My purpose here is not to offer support for Moore or to rail against his methods and opinions.  Mostly, my purpose here is to relate some of my musings as a health care professional in the United States and wonder if I am doing enough to help those I come in contact with. 

Before viewing the film, I was well aware of the short-comings of the health care system in the US.  Daily, I come into contact with those in the system who are un-insured and who must pay out of their own pockets for medical services.  Their questions to me, the nurse, are not about the best course of medical treatment.  Their questions are, "How much will this medicine cost?", "Do I really need this treatment?",  "Is there a cheaper way?", or "Can you give that to me for free?"  Some people have governement assistance. Most are not even aware that type of assistance exists.  Usually the governement assistance is not even adequate and still many fall through the cracks.  At times, I find this very overwhelming and I feel helpless.  I find myself trying to ignore these issues and just take care of my tasks at hand.  Pass the pill, hand out the prescription and send them on their way; parting with some little speech about coming back if anything gets worse and be sure to follow up with your primary care doctor, blah, blah, blah.  Hardly helpful to those who come to the emergency room for non-emergencies and who have never had a primary care doctor in their life. 

So what do I do?  I can't personally offer them financial assistance.  I have come to the conclusion that the best way for me to help these people save money is through education.  Sounds weird?  Well, it has come to my attention that some enormously large percentage of emergency room visits (I am unsure of exact numbers), are for non-emergent medical issues.  Equipping people with the knowledge of how to care for themselves and when to be concerned about certain conditions could save them a trip to the emergency room.  Did you  know that only 1% of the US health care budget is spent in community education and prevention?  1%!  That is ridiculous and quite ignorant! 

As for everyone else, who needs emergent health care and cannot afford it, how do I help them?  By being an informed citizen and making myself aware of the government's action on these issues.  Health care is already a hot topic for the presidential candidates; let's make it a hot topic for everyone running for office or currently holding a governemental position.  Let these issues affect your decisions when you vote.  Take a stand to help our inadequate medical care system.  Educate yourself any way you can.  Do not fall into the trap of thinking you are safe because you have medical insurance.  If you take a close look at your policy, I am certain you will discover loop holes and limits on your coverage.  Will it truly be adequate for you in an extreme case or extended illness?   As a cynic of the health insurance companies, I would say your coverage would not be adequate in those cases.  So help yourself as well as others and become concerned with the status of our un-healthy health care system in the United States.  And in the mean-time rent a copy of 'Sicko' and become more aware.  And please don't move to Europe...as I am tempted to do. :)