As you know, I’m all about being honest on this site… So I’m just going to come out and say it: I’m sick. Really sick this time. Sick with the ulcerative colitis to the point where I can’t even think about my bike let alone get out and ride it. This flare came out of the blue last Thursday and initially it wasn’t too bad – I was able to ride and to eat fairly well. This is not the case anymore.
I had a couple of good rides on Monday and Tuesday – though I was pretty much wiped out for the rest of the day, but it still felt good to get out and ride. As for Wednesday and Thursday – there wasn’t any riding. Really all I did was lie on the couch.
Until yesterday I still did think that I could keep racing and that I’d be lining up at next weekend’s double-header of Scheldecross and the Kalmthout World Cup. But it is just not going to happen. I can’t eat or drink much right now. All I want to do is sleep. So racing is out of the question.
This is hard. Really damn hard. I’m so frustrated with my body. Some days it would be easier to understand why this is happening to me if I was a person who lives an unhealthy life. But I don’t – I do everything I can to be healthy and still this ulcerative colitis shows up and puts a stop to my dream and goals.
The only thing I can do now is focus on getting better. Since I’m not racing I have the chance to take some medicine that normally I wouldn’t be able to take. I’m hoping this will help and then I can get myself back on track for next season. (I’m still secretly hoping I can be well enough to race at the Hoogerheide World Cup at the end of January…)
I know that I’ve got a big engine inside of me and lots more kick left in these legs of mine. I’ll be back next year ready to race the season I had planned to have this year.
Many many thanks for your ongoing support and encouragement of my racing and training. I really do appreciate the amazing comments and emails that you send. Each time I race I know that I’ve got your support with me while I’m racing through the mud, sand, grass and crazy descents. Please know that I’m trying to do the same for you – if you listen closely during the race you can hear me shouting “Keep Pedaling”, “Good Job”, “Awesome Ride”, “You’re Doing Great”.
Have a great Friday and get out and spin some miles for me. To all of my American friends who are racing this weekend in the U.S. National Cyclo-Cross Championships – best of luck. The course in Bend, Oregon looks pretty darn narly – looking forward to seeing how all of you do.
A big shout out to my sponsors for the overwhelming support I’ve received this season. These companies have made it possible for me to chase my dreams and goals:
– KingsBridge Disaster Recovery
– Clif Bar
– OGC
– Oakley
- Belgium
- Bell Lap Coaching
- Bend
- Champion Systems
- Clif Bar
- cyclo-cross practice
- Giro
- Hoogerheide World Cup
- Kalmthout World Cup
- KingsBridge
- Mavic
- Oakley
- OGC
- Oregon
- Ottawa
- Scheldecross
- sponsors
- Stevens Bikes
- Stevens Bikes Canada
- Stevens Carbon Team DA
- The Cyclery
- U.S. National Cyclo-Cross Championships
- ulcerative colitis
- Vicki Thomas
- World Cup
- World Cyclo-Cross Championships
- Zolder World Cup
Ottawa Cross 
hey Vicki – that really sucks to hear but my fingers are crossed that you have a speedy recovery in time for hoogerheide. And if you guys are ever bored, you are always welcome to come visit me and jonas. Or we can take you to the Christmas market in leuven one of these days.
It ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings – and we don’t know any! Follow the medic’s advice, and try to keep spirits high.
Vicki, I’m sorry to hear you’re under the weather but at least it’s not snow. 🙂
Take care of yourself and be patient with yourself.
Best wishes for the holidays – Jo
It’s terrible you’ve been laid up like this. I hope you’ll be back on the bike soon.
There’ll be more great racing in your future.
Thanks so much for the kind words. In a few words: overwhelmed and grateful.
Tough luck there Vicki.
This reminds me of a story about Lou Ferrigno (the hulk) When they shot the last movie they had some trouble convincing him to do the role. He had lost about 50 pounds of muscle as he had given up the body building for a couple of years.
He didn’t think he could get that big again. He ended up accepting the movie role and started working out again. It turned out that in less than a year he shot up past his last biggest weight easily and was actually as big as he had every been….
So I would just take this set back as a rest period your body needs. Do some spinning but with minimal effort to keep the muscle memory and when you get over this and start training you will see you will be back stronger than ever for next season.
Cheers,
Paul,Megan and Julie
p.s. you and Marc home for Christmas ???
Vicky…..You are a fighter…take care of your health first and then you will be able to meet all your challenges and goals. John and I are with you in thoughts and prayers. We wish you all the best. Love, John and Annette.
Sorry to hear about your situation. Remember to trust the people around you, that care about you, they will lead you to make the right decisions.
Once you get back you should really really really consider going to see Dr Shaker(GI) he was the reason Tasha was able to get better. He takes a very wholistic approach, I was absolutely amazed by his ways, a true artist of medecine, he will listen to you and lead you in the right direction.
DSJ