Tony Martinez in his own words:

"In 1967, at the age of 9, I found out that I had Familial Polyposis, and at the age of 11, had all but 7 centimeters of my large intestine removed, the rest removed 9 years later, and walked out of the hospital with an Ileostomy pouch clinging to my lower abdomen.  Feeling sorry for myself, I went from an active 150 LB 20 year old to a depressed 200 LB’er six months later.  As I recovered both physically and mentally, I began to offer support to both young and old who underwent ostomy surgery and in the same position and state of mind I had found myself in. Several were young soldiers, and to see their faces when they found out that I was an ostomate as well was extremely satisfying.

Enough was enough. I began to run, loose weight, and within a couple of years, began to record impressive 10k times. Fast Forward many years, past numerous car accidents, a lumbar laminectomy, and two cervical laminectomy’s, with 5 vertebrae fusion. In 2003, I found myself at 270 lbs, diabetic and in trouble as a couch potato. I took up on a stationary bike, but after an hour on it daily, I became bored. I moved to a full suspension mountain bike, then moved to a true road racing bike when speed became a goal. 

Turning 50, I became aware of the Texas Senior Games, and for my first organized race, entered the 10km Time Trial, and the 20km Roadrace. I placed 2nd in the 10k and 1st in the 20k race, which qualified me for the 2006 Finals in Austin, Texas. There, I placed 7th in age group, 38th overall. 

Along the way, I made mention of my neck problems, but the condition that most racers were curious about was my ostomy. Cycling is a very demanding sport, even for those with all their body parts.  As I improve, I am learning about nutrition while on the bike, already having years of experience with hydration from running. 

I love volunteering for the Run for the Cure, Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong organization, local cycling races (when I am not racing), and raising awareness for those living with an ostomy. My goals in the next few years is to get to a great cycling-climbing weight, and a long term goal of racing in the Tour of the Gila, an extremely tough mountain stage race in Southern New Mexico. 

I have never shied away from educating people that the life of an ostomate is not much different than a regular life….. beneath of all the clothing. Make note that I am always available to anyone with a question.

I won the Regional Qualifier to the 2007 Texas Senior Games Finals This year, again, and look forward to racing harder and smarter than last year." 

And we look forward to hearing how you do it Tony!