> me

I am a lifelong entrepreneur - previously a bar owner, concert promoter and retail store owner; the shops specialized in vintage clothing and mid-century modern furniture. Life was mostly a balance between professional passion and athletic events that included running and triathlon competitions that came to an abrupt halt in 2009. Since then I have not worked professionally; instead recovery has been my focus.

Surfside 7 (I founded this bar in 1999 with, my friend, John Trujillo)

- Fort Collins, CO - 

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A sample concert poster from one of the many shows that I promoted (this one in Vail, CO).

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My short story:

In August of 2009 I was training for the Ironman World Championships. It was about a month prior to the race; during a training ride, I was hit by a car - along with my training partner. We both suffered life altering injuries. Since the accident I have struggled to regain my athletic ability. It has been long and grueling. Perhaps I tried to return to racing too early in my recovery, I came up short at two ambitious attempts at ultra running. I entered but did not finish The Keys 50 mile run and the Leadville 100 mile trail run – 23.5 and 50 miles finished respectively. Hopefully I have built a strong base as my comeback continues. This year I will return to both The Keys 50 and The Leadville 100 with designs on finishing both.

Update (August, 2014): I did complete the Keys 50 mile run this time; 15th place overall and 1st in my age group. However, I did attempt the Leadville Trail 100 again and didn't get as far as I did in my first attempt. Due to injury, I was forced to quit at mile 40. Until next time...

Injuries: T.B.I. - Traumatic Brain Injury (including a month in a coma), multiple broken vertebrae, all ribs were broken, both lungs punctured, wrist broken, and other broken bits. Nine months of hospitalization and 3 plus years of rehab have me thriving mentally and with high aspirations athletically. I do not know if I will ever be as successful at racing as I was before the accident; regardless, racing is winning.

My Cervelo R3 on a chilly ride on Vail Pass

My bike didn't fare well either, after the collision!

Looking unsure, after regaining consciousness (shortly after waking from my coma).

thursday, August 27. 2009

Special to the Vail Daily/www.dickdime.info

LOCAL DICK DIME INJURED IN CAR/BIKE INCIDENT

Dick Dime, of East Vail, was training for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships when he was hit by car Saturday in the Denver area and seriously injured
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Dick Dime (a.k.a. Richard Paradis) is an exceptional Colorado runner, cyclist, triathlete and snowshoe racer. He is also a snowboarder, a punk rocker, a pirate (not really), a PBR lover, a vegetarian, a great friend and a loving Dad. He gives his whole heart to everything he ever does, whether it's trail running with his dog Ramone, training for an Ironman, booking rock bands, running a bar or a vintage store.
Dick Dime likes to say that he is a man-child and that he will never grow up.
His athletic accomplishments include 3rd in 40-44 AG in 5430 Long Course Triathlon in Boulder Colorado, a 2:52 marathon, a 1:17 half marathon, placing overall in many local races. You can find more details about his race results on his Athlinks Page
On August 22, 2009, during a training ride for Ironman 70.3 World Championships, Richard was involved in a really bad car-bike accident. He suffered a serious head injury. The road to recovery will be long. Richard doesn't have health insurance or close family to take care of him but his awesome group of friends are by his side. Their care as well as the support of the triathlon community has been remarkable so far, but he will need a lot more help and support going forward and making his way back to a full recovery.
DONATE AT http://www.dickdime.info

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LIVING with a Traumatic Brain Injury

I’m feeling good and inspired. I want to share a short traumatic brain injury update. It has been over 4 years since I was hit by a car and changed. I resisted accepting the person I had become. I was not aware of why, or that I was even doing this. But looking back, it becomes clearer. I suppose “clearer” defines me and I am thankful. I can see clearly now – most of the time.

At the time of the accident I was peaking athletically. I had reached personal bests in marathon running and qualified for Ironman world championships. I was gainfully employed and as happy as I had ever been.
After the coma, surgeries, months of hospitalization, therapy, and mental struggle, I wandered lost in an endless desert. I was frightened and looking for me; the guy I remembered… not the person I had become. In many ways I still search. Although now, I realize I’m searching for the person I will become and that excites me. No longer do I judge my athletic performance on a scale borrowed from 2009. I have started to just let that time rest and take pride in my performance now. I race regularly. I am getting faster and doing more than I ever thought I could. I have a partner that I love dearly (Mimi Reeves) and again I can honestly say that I am happy - happier than at any time I can remember.

Yes, I struggle still. But life with or without a traumatic brain injury is a journey. Each unique. We are endlessly challenged. Personally, I develop work-arounds. A term I think I coined at Quality Living (a long-term care facility in Omaha, NE that I spent some time at). Work-around is my way of saying compensatory adaptation. Today my thoughts are about me and you. If you have a TBI or not, life is challenging and it throws wicked curve-balls. All of us must keep swinging.

- Be strong, Richard