My bike and run workouts have been temporarily put on hold. I went to the doctor one week ago today for a routine test, and today I'm in the final day of prep for surgery to remove colon cancer. Last week I was starting a 25 week build-up to cyclocross season, and now the question is "when will I be able to bike or run again?". Life throws some interesting challenges at us.

So, here's what the doc says. Surgery tomorrow at 10:30, 5-6 days in the hospital until I'm back on a regular diet, and then 3-4 weeks until I can do much more than act my age and walk slowly. Assuming that no chemotherapy is required, things should be back to normal in 4-6 months. The good news is that if I have to "do drugs" for a while, I don't have much hair to lose.

The worst part of the preparation for surgery has been not eating. The last solid food that I was allowed to have was dinner Monday evening. Since then, I've been restricted to Gatorade, water, Jello, and beef broth morning, noon, and night. Of course, given the nature of this surgery, I've been lucky enough to have all the colon cleansing solution that I want for desert (try four liters of PEG-3350 and 2-10 oz bottles of magnesium critrate). Yum!

All of this is part of a larger issue, that being even though we're all in great cardiovascular shape and we get our annual physicals, bad things can still happen related to health. The good news is that we athletes typically recover quicker because of great physical shape we're in.

I also want to send out a big "Thank You" to everyone who has called, e-mailed, or stopped by to wish me well and ask if they could help in any way. Here's what would help ... I should be back in shape normal food by July, so just send chips, salsa, and Shiner Bock instead of flowers and get-well cards!

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 21: Tour de Burma, sanangelobicycleassociation.com

July 12: Suddenlink Lake Nasworthy triathlon, http://www.roadlizards.org/

August 8-9: Texas State Time TRial Championships, Castroville (near San Antonio), http://www.txbra.org/events/event.asp?EventID=1788

August 9: Wool Capitol Traithlon, http://www.ironheadrp.com/

August 29: Tiperrary Creek King of the Rockies mountain bike race, Winter Park, CO, http://www.epicsingletrack.com/default.asp?page=racedes/race8des.html

Dec. 10-13: Cyclocross National Championships, Bend, OR, http://www.visitbend.com/Bend_Oregon_Activities_Recreation/National-Championships/Cyclo-cross/default.aspx