Today's super star is none other than our Coach TD. I've known for quite some time that he was a top notch guy and a great friend to have. Today, however, he went above and beyond for me. This story starts earlier in the week, though.

On Monday, after my appointment to have my ear looked at, I went running with Coach TD and Coach Hunt at Oak Openings. We had a great run of 6.7 miles in just a shade over 70 minutes. For that park, at this time of year, when the trails are covered with leaves and you can't see the roots reaching up to grab your ankles, that's a really fast pace. This story isn't about that run. This story is about the two days following that great run. It was Monday, however, when Coach TD and another person informed me that I should have taken Tuesday off of work as well as Wednesday. I had no idea. The staff at Dr. Shah's office never really told me what to expect after taking the prepkit. Since I wasn't supposed to start the prepkit until 1pm, I took Tuesday afternoon off. Well... sort of. I worked from home for about 3 hours. Everyone told me that the preparation for the colonoscopy was the wrost part. They just never told me what to expect. The first clue I had was when Coach TD warned me that I would be on the can quite a bit. That was fairly well confirmed when I read the side of the prepkit box and saw, "Within one hour of starting the prep, a loose watery bowel movement may begin." "...may begin." Yeah. And spring may follow winter and when counting, 4 may follow 3.

I didn't exactly read the directions right, the first time. So, I started by drinking 8oz of the mixture at around 1:30. Then, I got on the bike which was mounted on the trainer, and rode for 30 minutes at 21 MPH. Then, I came upstairs and did some work. At 2:30, I went back to take the second 8oz glass. It was then that I reread the instructions and saw that I was to drink 8oz every fifteen minutes until the entire 32 oz container was empty. It didn't really matter much, though. In fact, the instructions said that if one feels sick when taking the prep, they should stop taking it for 30 minutes or so - until they feel better. Starting at 2:30, I drank 8oz every 15 minutes. At about 3:15, I made my first trip to the can. It wasn't as bad as I'd heard people make it sound. The answer to the question, "How many poops does it take to empty a BizB?" is twelve. The second round of 32 ounces started at 5 PM. It wasn't until about 9:00 that I really started to feel hungry. I went to bed at 10:30 just to get it over with.

This morning, I woke up at 8 AM and nearly grabbed a banana out of habit. I did have my two cups of coffee and straighted up the house a bit before Coach TD arrived to drive me to the hospital. Did I mention already what a great friend he is? Taking someone to the hospital and being there to take him home has got to be odd enough, but doing it for a friend who's having a camera shoved up his a**? That's going way above and beyond. I sure hope I get the opportunity to do him such a solid favor some day.

We arrived at the hospital nice and early and we sat and chatted about Coach TD's brother and running and coaching. Then, in the last 30 seconds before they called me in, we discussed everything that we understand about women (blank stares).

They called me back and took my medical history and put an allergy band on my arm with the other band. Then, Michelle, the nurse who took care of me, slipped in the IV with the greatest of ease. After they added another warm blanket - note to self: find a blanket warmer on eBay - they called Coach TD back to join me. He further entertained me with tales of his racing experiences from last year and various other running related topics. I was supposed to be in the procedure at 11:00, but it was closer to 11:30 before they wheeled me to the room. Sue was the nurse in charge during the procedure and Rob was the guy with his hand on the happy juice. Dr Shah came in and talked to me for a few before I went to la-la land. I did challenge Dr Shah to earn bonus points by telling me what color Jello I ate yesterday before he got started. He got it right, too. Or, Sue did. Someone called out, "Green!" just a few minutes in.

I wish I could recount all the witty banter that went on between myself and the others in the room. I wish I could tell you how cool it was to watch the camera scooting through my innards. I wish I could tell you that I remember much of anything.

I can't.

In fact, while I was in recovery, Coach TD could have convinced me to volunteer to be the Cross Country Commissioner next year - and he may well have. I'd have no memory of it. I do remember Dr. Shah saying that everything went well and that there was just one polyp and that they zapped it. I don't remember the ride home. I don't remember Coach TD giving me my phone back. I don't remember any pain or discomfort and I completely understand why people say that the prep is the worst part. Though, I didn't think it was that bad. Runny poo that has had the stomach acidity neutralized isn't that big of a deal.

Now, BigBro and Taz... I'm the youngest of the three of us and I had a polyp. Betty Boop and sopops both had polyps. Please. I beg you both. Go get a colonoscopy. There is no reason not to do it and dozens of reasons to do it. Please. Take a day and a half off or schedule it for a Monday and do the prep on Sunday. I'll even go to the hospital with you if you want.