rob balucas

Oh boy…watch out. Driving hand controls for my car just arrived. Stay tuned, stay off the roads if you’re in West Fresno by chance…

Here’s how they work:

Holy cow.

There’s a lot of updating to do. I didn’t think there was much to say in my first weeks back in Fresno beyond boring basic life skills to share. But I’ve since learned that people really do want to hear what’s going on, even basic life skills.

I have to say, that’s very heart-warming for me because I’m starting to feel really far away. There’s a nagging gremlin in the back of my head that says, ‘Everyone’s going to forget about you.’

But then there’s a text, a voice mail, a FB post, that knocks once and says, ‘Hey what’s up with you?’

Then in knocks again with a, ‘Hey what the F&$k?? No really, what’s up with you??’

Now, I have so many things to share I’m overwhelmed. But as they say: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

So here we go:

I ruined any NYE celebration with good stuff.

On Tuesday last week I went to the Physiatrist (that’s a rehab specialist Doc) whom pretty much whacked all my meds but two. Even one of those he wanted me to test not taking. As most of you know, I’m taking the hard core opiate pain killer stuff and I have no love nor plans to get addicted to them. I was really happy about that.

Then on Wednesday, my Physical Therapist took me swimming. I’ve been dying to get some cardio in lately and I was anxious to get in the water. So we went to Fresno’s (well, Clovis actually) finest gym, strapped some floaties to my legs and swam some laps. I didn’t get a Strava logged, sorry GGTC peeps. But I know I swam about 800 meters in total.

It felt awesome.

So by the time NYE Thursday came around, I was toast. Compound everything about being sore and multiply it by 20. What’s most lame is that I get leg pain. I don’t feel it when you touch my leg yet, but I get crazy pain in my hamstrings, ankles, & feet. I was in pain up until this afternoon. That’s when I started back on the pain killer I was trying not to take.

So technically that was my New Year’s Dip in honor of my Golden Gate Triathlon Club Brethen’s Annual New Year’s Dip in the Bay.

A lot of you saw this picture:

There’s actually a ton to celebrate in this picture:

• I did an overnight with family for Christmas away from my parents house, which is a big deal because I have a lot of accessories. ?
• I got in and out of that couch doing a ‘depression transfer’ which is using my arms to hop my butt from seat to seat. Before I’d use a flat board to slide across. It’s a huge leap in strength and skill.
• I’m not actually holding my leg up. It sat there crossed on it’s own. Yet another huge deal for flexibilty.
• I’m rocking the slippas. I almost left home without putting on proper shoes. Could you imagine me with the wrong shoes?? In public?

Thank you thank you thank you for the texts, cards, voicemails, visits, everything. I really miss you guys.

More to come & more frequently!

Happy New Year!

Urban Barrels started a benefit for me by selling their trucker hats a few days after my injury & before we even spoke. You guys bought WAY more hats than they expected. 80 in total.

I know the founders, Mat MacDonell & JohnPaul Macdonell thru my work with Pepperdine University & Bay Area Waves Alumni Chapter. They ‘get’ what we all learned at Pepp: Freely ye received, freely give.

Thanks guys. And thanks to everyone who bought a hat! #staybarreled

….Earlier this year I had wrote a blog for them about how their bag towel saved my butt at the Wildflower Triathlon. Click here to read >>

THANK YOU everyone who came out Tuesday night. I once again don’t have words for how much it meant. There were many more there in spirit and I appreciate you guys too!

I was beat before I arrived. The pictures show it. I didn’t really realize it until I saw everybody else’s pics. True triathlete form, if I’m still breathing then I’m still going, ya know? Hey Doc & PT said, movement is key to recovery.

I’ve made it to safely to Fresno. I’ve got a WHOLE new amount of challenges already. My Dad has been a champion. I’ll write more about that later.

Chloe is settling in. She’s been here before. But more importantly we’re doing well. She’s assumed her regular duties constantly trying to be in my lap, which is a great feeling after not having her constantly around since the beginning. It’s amazing to have her.

I won’t lie, I shed some tears looking out at the panoramic view of the city from atop of UCSF before my Dr. appts. before I left Wed morning, and as we drove through town. This damn town and the whole leaving your heart here, it’s hard to explain but the feeling is real and tangible.

More later. Love ya! Peace!

This guy. ‪#‎chickmagnet‬

My Favorite Ironman & Triathlete, most positive friend and all around fantastic human! Can’t wait for you to kick my ass on a bike again! ❤your #1 fan.

I got the best picture of the night…..I’m not competitive at all, lol. ‪#‎NotScaredOfTheChair‬ ‪#‎IMadeYouStickYourTongueOut‬

That was a pretty great bar mitzvah

Looks like you’ve got your bases covered! Xo

There were guys there too. And no Pedro, not going to do it.

Holding back some tears looking out at all of SF and Marin, seeing Bay2Breakers route, all of our bike routes thru SF, across GG Bridge, into Marin Headlands, my neighborhood, all of GG Park. Geez this city is amazing. All of a sudden 13.1 miles of running through this place doesn’t seem like a chore. Let’s do 26.2 when I’m back, yes?

… about to tell a great story about edu classes, if you know it … about constriction devices.

I’ve lost 20lbs that I know of since my accident. I’ve got a long road of regaining those 16″ guns. ? [ yes, that’s pool foam dumbbells ]

.. the awesome triathlete tan lines and tan are lost.

It’s wild to lose muscle mass that takes so much to gain waste away so fast. While we know I’ll gain it back, the equation of how fast you can lose it vs. what it takes to build is backwards if you ask me!!

Rehab is continuing to go well. Right now I’m learning how to pop a wheelie and hold it. Yes this is an important, key wheelchair skill to have.

I feel like we’re on the home stretch to my next stop Fresno.

My South Bay peeps have been awesome with the Adobo, laundry + mail service ( Mo & Carol ), & meals. AND watching football & crying over peanut M&M’s at your crappy team (you know who you are).

I miss you guys in the city.
And still grateful isn’t a big enough word for what I feel for you guys.