Machine is still alive
It’s been over close to 2years since my 5 year consecutive buckles at Chattajack. Since then my life has changed much yet relationship with Teresa is going hot as usual. What not to love spending the time with someone you care about right?
On the other hand reason for this blog is share how my body is doing since CJ. If you remember Chattajack 2021 I had major nutrition failure led to major cramping issues at approx 20miles in the race. The last 10-11miles to the end was brutal I ever experienced but safely made it back to the Hales Bar. Memory of that year was awesome with current blasting almost to the end and I had major double arm cramp, chest cramp, leg cramp and all.
The pain I endure that year didn’t affect my body as much as thought. I look over some of the photos since then and I see where my injury started. Remembering the time I had start to see an issues with it.
I assume most of my paddle friend know how I deal with my nutrition for distance race and with my famous play card .
| To be honest this play card has served me well with my favorite nutrition SIS. 2021 was personal mistake on one nutrition removed the electrolytes that I was not aware of it. Be sure to double check all your nutrition for big event like Chattajack. “Water is not nutrition” |  |
Getting old is not easy at all
 10/30/21 |  10/30/21 |  03/02/22 |  10/23/22 |
 03/02/22 |  10/22/22 |  07/11/23 |  8/08/23 |
 08/09/23 |  08/15/23 |  09/26/23 |  09/0224 |
Above 12 photos is since Chattajack 2021. I look through my selfie and finally caught the changes in my left arm. Issues that change to my body was located on top of biceps with indentation. I believe biceps tendon tear has some how effected from daily movement to paddling activities. Early in 2023 I was at Planet Fitness doing my Paddle Monster winter training while attempt to do my bicep work out I no longer able to do it. It was so painful and cramp my biceps. I don’t recall these issues after 2021 Chattajack but I don’t keep daily journal so similar issues may have shown years ago.
What is effecting today with these injuries? It does causes daily activity from picking up items or try to carry not board with my left arm. In 2023 I made one race event at GoatBoaters 1K technical race. By the way they run exceptional great series for SUP. This technical race was 3 heat race event and I made it for the first two heat. First heat I came out pretty strong except my buddy Rob and I had some NASCAR style rubbing at the start. All in all I don’t remember it having an issues but on 2nd heat at last buoy to the finish my left arm cramping and had to paddle on my right side to the finish.
From what I found is that physical change happened between July 11, 2023 to August 8, 2023. GoatBoater’s race was in the middle to last week end of the August. These pain was already there through out the 2023 just now catching up to see what happened.
How do I coping with these issues? Just like anything with the pain in your body do well with resting and less repetition of activities. Most of the time I feel pretty good during the paddle but I see more issues on daily task. For awhile now I’m paddling with Quick Blade T2 85 which helping my arm from cramping. My other go to blade is Infinity Race paddle (BP blade) that has slightly more strong catch which may causing more stress to my left muscle. As I write this blog today I took Infinity Race paddle for easy paddle and I felt light cramping coming. Love the paddle still but either I need softer shaft or stay on my Quick Blade T2 for now.
I had few friends ask me if I was going to come to any of the event. While competitive me says I should try one but body seems to say otherwise. Not too long ago I talk to good friend of mine I met back in Carolina Cup 2017 when I did graveyard. Well, we haven’t seen each other since then but we occasionally talk on the phone. Len and I talk for awhile how we are doing each other. We had some good conversation about racing and we had mutual feeling of “I think we done enough proving ourselves”. We both love to get out for a good sweat and that should never changes for us.
Am I getting medical help? Knowing this issue for awhile I have not yet seen for this issues at all. I’m hoping to get medical help to see what I can do about it. Maybe I’m overdue to be “Six Million Dollar Man”
I will keep update you guys where I’m at but for now I will be continue to paddle around in my neck of woods
“Live The Life You Love”
