IM Lake Placid 09!

Here I come! I spoke to Melody at NA Sports. She informed me I am able to transfer my community fund slot from IM Wisconsin to IM Lake Placid in 09. So thats what I am doing. This is awesome! I have some friends planning on doing IM LP in 09 so it will be great to train with a group.

It sucks to miss out on IM Wisconsin but all things considering, I am happy to get into LP.

Requirements of being Ill or injured

Well its a funny thing. It seems there is a requirement of how you are supposed to act when you are Ill, or injured. Just On Wednesday my two sisters in Law came up to see me, they came with food and drinks and soup. It seems they expected me to be in bed moaning and needing care. So despite the fact that I am driving around and doing stuff my wife told me to stay home so she would pick them up. Which is NOT how we do things, I am always the one to pick people up. Its just how it works out for us. So Ok they arrive and were a bit unsure of what to do for me since I was up and about throwing the ball to Simba and such ( left handed of course). They kind of expected me to be in bed. It seems they were coming up to do the required hospital type of visit, to show me support and such. But they did not know what to do because I was not in bed suffering. I told them I was in pain but I was still functional. I just couldn't use my right arm.

So the whole day, went by and we had a good time. They helped me when they could.

I actually do appreciate the attention and I realize I am lucky to have a family willing to do this. But the caring and catering makes me uncomfortable at times. In this case I do know its ME.

I suppose I act different than most. I chalk it up to endurance training. I know of others also that have a hard time sitting still when injured. Usually ruining the healing process while at it. But none the less we do it. I think it has to do with the fact we are endurance athletes. By the mere name we "endure" and move on.

All endurance athletes are accustomed to suffering through pain. We do it every time we train. Of course its not the same shooting pain I get when I move my right arm, but it is pain and suffering none the less. So perhaps this is why I simply do not become a helpless individual when injured. I am most likely a lousy patient in this regard.

To be sure there are things I need help with, like taking off my T-shirts because I cannot lift my right arm, or in putting antibiotic cremes and such because There are spots I cannot reach.
But all in all I am fairly active, and aching to go out for a run.

Yesterday I went into work and everyone was shocked to see me, they pulled out my chair for me, etc. They assumed I would be out for at least a week. This despite the fact that I can still walk fine and use my left hand and Arm. I mean after all folks its an office job.

But it seems that socially there is a role that we all are supposed to play when injured or when someone is injured. For the folks at work I made a point to ask my coworker if they could get me coffee since I cannot hold the mug and mix the creamer. They felt better being able to jump up and help me out.

I guess I just don't fit the standard Injured person. There are expectations I have to meet. I wanted to go this weekend to go volunteer at the NYC tri, since I cant run it I may as well help out. But I don't know how this will work out. In truth I probably am pushing it and could end up making things worse. So I probably will not do this.

I really do feel honored and lucky to be part of such a great family. I realize this is the function of a good family, and they are truly doing their best to show this support to me. So I truly do appreciate it. There are many people who are not so fortunate.

So on Saturday, I have to put on a night shirt or something and stay in bed until the family leaves, maybe I'll practice a limp :)

Prognosis is final

Well its final, my Clavicle is Broken as can be seen above. The doctor said this could take up to 3 months to heal properly! At this point he said I probably do not need surgery becaus eteh bones are aligned, however I need to refrain from any activities for 3-4 weeks or in that time they could shift the now free floating bones out of line.

I know that he speaks the truth because I can feel the bones move as I move when I move my arm, which is freaky.

It appears this is a common cycling injury ( who knew!?)

So its rest time for me :(

Chris Horner my new Hero

Check out this story about a true class act

Down for the Count

Well last night was a very very bad night. I was out cycling and broke my collarbone.

My plan had me doing lots of hills, so I had this 3-4 mile loop I found that has several good hills on it. My plan was to do 3 repeats of the loop. Now the ride leading up to the hilly loop itself has the longest and stretch of an incline that I had to ride up, I was finished with my hill loops and was headed back. Going down the long incline, I had picked up some speed and at a turn I had apparently hit a patch of dirt/gravel that was washed out from the heavy rain the night before.

As i made the turn my rear tire went out from under me. Its funny but it really does go in slow motion. I saw myself falling and tried to correct myself. I remember seeing the front tire wobbling left and right as I was trying to straighten up, and then Bammm. My shoulder took the hit and I skidded for a bit. My shoulder probably took the brunt of the fall because I was still trying to fight it and did not let go of the handlebar, so I did not put my hands down fast enough to cushion the blow.

The funny part was that as soon as I got up I knew I had broken my collarbone, there was a new corner under my skin that was not there before. So I sort of righted it by hand, and tried to get back on the bike, but I could not move my arm without a ton of pain. So I decided to walk the two miles home.

At this point I was just incredibly frustrated that this had happened. I was just feeling great about my training having done the century the day before and feeling strong, I was doing awesome on the hills. It was in fact just thinking not 10 minutes earlier that perhaps I stood a chance to do real well at IM Wisconsin.

SO As I was walking home I decided I would vent to someone who would understand my frustration, I called my friend Phil, who I figured would be out working out ( he is in training after all). By some freakish yet fortunate instance he was home and picked up. My first words were dammit Phil I broke my collarbone and now I think I may not be able to make my swim workout tomorrow!

Phil was like "Uhhh ... where are you?"

Me " on the road walking home"

Phil (laughing) "Dude I can't believe you! Stay there and I'll come and pick you up!"

Me " OK but its not necessary, I was not calling for help, I was calling because I am frustrated, I am going to have to miss my swim workout tomorrow!"

Phil "Dude I think I better picked you up"

Phil did come and pick me up and he took me to the hospital ( Great friend!). I believe he felt I was in shock or delirious or something. Anyways it was much appreciated that he came.

So now my plans are on hold. Personally I think my IM plans for this year are done for. Well that just sucks! I asked the ER Doc and he said I should not do anything with the arm for 4-6 weeks. The collar is not a bone they put a cast on because it heals well on its own, however I run the risk of causing damage if I do not let it heal.

So I have to make an appointment with a specialist to follow up. Will see then.

The required road rash pictures will follow in the near future.