The folks to have lunch with...

I forgot to add these to my "tag"...sorry, busy week...

Who I would want to have lunch with...I find I'd want questions answered.

1) The founding fathers of the USA and ask them what they really meant by some of the language in the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.

2) Jesus and the 12 Disciples, Buddha, Muhammad, Tao and any other religious figure.  We'd talk about just who is "right" and figure out this religion thing once and for all.  I studied at least 18 different religions in college and they all have similarities as well as claim to be the "one true religion"...I'm just confused and follow my faith...well, on faith.

3) Lance Armstrong, Floyd Landis, Tyler Hamilton, David Millar, Marco Pantani

4) Dave Scott, Mark Allen, Scott Molina, Scott Tinley, Commander John Collins

5) My grandparents (as young people)...three are no longer here physically, one mentally.  I miss their wisdom and long meals together.

6) Jesse Owens, Steve Prefontaine, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Mark Spitz, Michael Phelps and Darra Torres

7) John Belushi, Chris Farley, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Abraham Lincoln, John and Bobby Kennedy and a really convincing fortune teller

Update on Brad

Brad was training for IM Canada.  He lives down the road a piece from me and got out at 5:30 AM yesterday to do a quick 30 mile bike ride to hit his 300+ for the week.  

A deer ran out in front of Brad as he descended a short hill and stopped right in front of him when he heard the bike.  Brad said the deer appeared to stop and want to back up but then started to move forward a little.  Brad's tire went under the deer and the front of his bike hit the deer square in the side.  This stopped him instantly and threw him over the deer and down the road.  Brad had broken his leg and shoulder a few years ago in a freak bike crash and he said that he thought to tuck and roll when he hit the ground.  He did and didn't break his leg...just ribs 10, 11 and 12...one of which punctured his lung.  The deer had fallen down but scrambled the way deer do and he took off into the woods.  Brad laid on the tarmac for about 20 minutes - not a car around.  He reached for his phone but he had landed on it and crushed it.  He was wondering if a car was going to come ripping over the hill and hit him as peak rush hour was approaching.  Finally...a friend of mine happened by...John Robb.  John is a great guy and experienced cyclist and triathlete.  John asked Brad if he was OK and Brad said, "Um, no.  Could you call 911?"  

In the hospital, Brad needed a chest tube to re-inflate the lung (and drain some of the blood in there), so a "minor" surgical procedure was done.  They wouldn't let Brad eat...so this morning he is eating for the first time in 24 hours+.  

Now the good news.  Brad is in good spirits and is planning on walking this weekend.  He is planning on being on the line in IM Canada - with perhaps a few less swimming miles in him.  I am going to pick Brad up some jerky and tell him I got Bambi for him.  (This is when his lungs are healed a little more so it doesn't hurt when he laughs.)

"The deer gonna be OK Uncle Lar?"  "No, word on the deer's condition Little Tommy."  (a la Animal Stories from WLS AM 890...from the 1970s)  Seriously...the deer probably is just really sore today.  No injured deer around at the site.

Get Well Soon Brad Moore

I just heard through the grape vine that my good friend and sometime training partner Brad Moore was out cycling yesterday on Spring Creek Road in Barrington Hills and hit a deer.

Brad is in the hospital with three broken ribs and a collapsed lung. No word on how the deer is, but if it is one of the bigger male deer, I'm thinking the deer is just fine.

*I'll be visiting Brad later if you care to join me.

Brad was training for Ironman Canada.

Having nearly hit deer while on my bike, I can tell you it is darn scary to have a deer run out onto the street out of the trees and stop right in front of you when you zoom down a hill in Barrington.

Healing vibes and prayers for a fast recovery to Brad as well as his girlfriend Jen.