The Bell

Saturday Night

Chop or smooth; Swell or flat; Currents or stillwater - The Judge Irvin Taplin Relay will always bring the best competitors to the forefront. Velzy, Doyle, Kahn, Donahoe, Rink, Fortune, Solberg, Baker, Gair. Legends of Surf and Surf-lifesaving, These are but a pin-prick of the talented and determined lifeguards who have proudly rung The Bell.

Northern held the Bell for nearly a decade; Southern a bit longer than that; Central claimed The Bell with authority last year. Who will take The Bell Home Tonight is anyone's guess. But, when there's surf involved, that's all it will be - a guess.

Lifeguards, Watermen, Athletes of the highest caliber will fight for the right to put their names onto The Taplin Bell.

Can Central Repeat? Can South Bay put a Second Woman onto The Bell? Will Zuma push back into their glory-days of old? Can a non-laco team lay claim for the first time since '87 - and the establishment of the Mitch Kahn Rule?

Tonight at 7pm at Manhattan Beach Pier - Let the Games Begin!!!!

Lions, Tigers, and Boats OH MY!!!!

There is no comparison to the sound produced from two Dories colliding! There is also no comparison to the sight of the bow of a Blue Dory drilling the broadside of a white Dory in the surfline on its way out to sea! This was just one highlight of an amazingly-spectator-leaned Intercrew Championship Relay.

The question was posed, "Can Venice make it three in a row?"; sporting the better part of an Olympic swim crew, surf-savvy board crew, and a near flawless boat team - YES, is the simple answer. But, They were not unchallenged in their pursuit.

Dockweiler, aka Carnage Asada, pushed the pace - and maybe a boat broadside - and forced Venice into overdrive to claim their title.

Altogether the night was a great success for all parties involved - great racing, a little bit of contact (I have an 8inch laceration on my right ribs from someone's nail in the Shallow-Water-Sprint - gotta love when rugby and swimming mix!), some surf - and the boat carnage that went with it - made this an unforgettable night.

Congrats to Venice on their win; Dockweiler for making them earn it - and adding some flair in the boats and on the exit; and to my Crew - The Baywatch Crew, amazing what can happen when WE stick together!

A Current State of Affairs

For those keeping track, this is the latest on the condition of my shoulder...

Last week I visited my third Orthopedic Specialist - FUN - up in Pasadena. This visit was above and beyond any office visit I could have expected. No good news. No bad news. Just a very sober review of, and look ahead into my shoulder's condition. The review.

The Bicycle accident which happened last November was NOT the major traumatic factor that we thought it was. Nope. Degenerative Fraying of the Labrum and and Posterior Rotator Cuff has been the result of a lifetime of aggressive physical activity - most notably, the last 10 years of high level swimming and related activities.  The trauma from bicycle accident was the tipping point in a fragily-balanced condition. The damage was already done, and the accident threw the joint into a difficult-to-control state of inflammation and disrepair.

Over the past eight (8) or so weeks, I have undergone continuous physical therapy and strengthening sessions in an effort to strengthen and stabilize the joint, along with a steady regimen of anti-inflammatory medicine. While my activity levels have increased to a sufficient height for maintenance training, inflammation control has been sporadically problematic.  As such, under heavy deliberation and consultation of multiple individuals, I received a one-time-only Cortico-Steroid (Cortisone) injection into the right shoulder capsule.

For those who have never received such an injection (which I consider a last resort method of treatment, and not for repeated use - like many insurance companies prefer) it is quite the experience. After watching the Ortho sanitize and mix a three-part solution into a syringe, he then attached a black 16-gauge needle.  Not a small prick. Sitting on the exam-room table, facing away from the Doc, I focused on my breathing - concentrating on the rhythm and rate - a method to deal with pain tolerance taken from the breathing practices of yoga. The unfamiliar 'pinch' on the back of my shoulder - he was taking a posterior entry approach into the capsule. The feeling of fluid being injected, while the needle is being driven deeper into the tissue, is an indescribable one. Needless to say, its not one I would recommend for a daily experience.

Within 30-seconds the procedure was complete.  Now, a 3-week rest period lies before me. So it's another sit-and-wait period for me...Not a Fan. But se la vi. That's just what has to be done.

After these 3-weeks, I will be reevaluated, and from there we will see how the body will react to physical therapy and training. And from that future decisions about treatments and training regiments will be decided.

So that is where we're at. To Pre-empt many thoughts - Don't be sorry; I'm not! I have a  wonderful Life. And while this is potentially a big deal, it is not the end of me or my competitive ventures - merely a bump in the road. I have been blessed for many years with a relatively-clean bill of health, and we all have to pay the piper sooner or later.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

Just Another Rolling Hill

At 50 miles-per-hour objects move into, and out of, your sight relatively quickly.  When we were in Driver's education courses - en route to getting that ticket to freedom called a License - the instructors taught us to look "10 seconds ahead".  That is to say, identify, classify, and follow an object 10 seconds before it gets to you.  Most of us, now by a developed automaticity, do this type of tracking unconsciously while we drive our cars up and down our streets and highways.

If you have ever been driving at 50 mph, or faster, and stuck your hand out the side window, you have felt the resistance that air puts against your body and car (usually thought of as a wind).  But, what if you were going 50 mph and you didn't have a windshield?  Or a roof?  You may have a sweet 1930-ish era convertible coupe (how sweet!). What if you didn't have doors? Or four wheels - you only had two? 

What would it feel like to move at 50+ mph downhill on something that weighed less than 20lbs. Had no internal-combustion engine. Had tires that were only 1-inch wide. Was piloted by your two-hands. And Powered by your 'Chevrolegs'?

A Pure, un-adulterated, adrenaline-fueled, dopamine-releasing, ear-to-ear-grin forming, Rush! 

While trying to recover from a shoulder complication, I have been spending ample time on my road bike (Yes! I wear the silly clothes, get over it!). A few rides ago, I ventured down the road from my home into San Pedro, and then up into Rolling Hills. It was around 6:30am (a late start) when I rolled out onto the street. Along the way I crossed paths with a small group of cyclists who were just finshing their jaunt around the peninsula (like I said, a late start). I jumped into their ranks for about a mile, or so, on PV Drive North, before peeling off on a hard left up - and I mean UP - Silver Spur.

There were no big gears being grinded. Instead, my little baby-boy gears spun round like an amphetamined-ferris wheel. Not to be cut short of my downhill section-to-come, I continued on and pulled a right-hand turn to head up Crenshaw Blvd. The construction crews worked with melodic rhythm and efficiency - undaunted by the cool bite lingering in the morning air.  My side of the road was unsurprisingly empty, while the roadway streaming out of the hills seamed to have a constant user.

At the top of Crenshaw you are greeted with an awe-inspiring view of the Pacific Ocean - Santa Catalina Island just slightly to the left, and all of Santa Monica Bay to the right.  Turn around to think about starting back down the hill and you are greeted by a view that - even on a hazy day inspires thought and wonder as to how large Los Angeles is.  This morning was clear. Clear enough to read the "Hollywood" sign without squinting, while the Pacific's blue-green hue, and the snow caps of Big Bear, frame in the bulk of LA.

After a few minutes of rest, some nutrition and hydration, it was time.  I adjusted my helmet, checked my glasses, clipped in, and pushed off. The first rolling hills give you wonder as to how uninterrupted or rolling the rest of the hill will be - but you are soon greeted with a downhill grade that immediately propels you into higher speeds. Time for big gears. Not necessary. Within 30 seconds of pedalling the bike was already pushing 45mph, and my legs strained to keep up with spin of the pedals. Time to tuck-in.

Into the drops I went (the drops are the lower part of the handlebars, you know, the part that when you see them you say, "gee i hope that guy didn't pay full price, that handlebar's bent on both sides") as I watched the mph number steadily creep higher. Feet stopped pedalling and formed a stable base. Head and chest tucked down close to the frame - Like, makeout close. Hips shifted back flattening out the back. Uneducated to the technical specifics of aerodynamic cycling positions, I thought this felt about right. Judging from the consistent acceleration, I think it worked out pretty well.

On the high-side of 50mph, with no airbags, or steel cage around you - you notice things. Colors, vibrations, smells - the movement of 4 leaves on a tree 200 meters ahead of you letting you know you may have to brace a cross-wind. You're Awake!

The all-too-familiar 'twinge' started to bite at the back of my neck....cramping? really?! Tucking into the aero position required muscle usage that I had not yet developed. But God it's fun! A quick look down to stretch out the neck and we were back in business. To be completely honest - there is no feeling like passing a BMW 5-series going downhill; just something beautiful about it!

After the 5-0r-so-minute descent, I was back into the traffic and congestion of a typical LA morning. And as I rode home, mixed in with other people - riding in their cages of steel and plastics - I took with me the piece of mind that I was a part of a different niche of society; one that wasn't caged, but, incredibly free.

Setbacks and Future Aggressions

More details will follow this post, along with more stories in the ongoing adventure that is my life.

I have had the great fortune of training, traveling, and competing with some of the greatest people on earth. Throughout it all I have been even more fortunate to have done it all relatively injury free.  Obviously, with a heavy workload, and dynamic conditions beyond human control, some minor hitches occurred - but these are to be expected.  

For the first time I face an unknown.  Last week I had an MRI Arthrogram performed on my right shoulder. From these films, my first Orthopedic visit resulted in not-so-nice results.  A partial tear of the superior aspect (the top) of the Labrum shown on the semi-grainy plastic films. 

To get the immediate question out of the way - Yes. Surgery is an option.  No. This is not the only option. 

I am currently in the process of seeking 2nd and 3rd opinions from other Orthopedists, and will determine my route of treatment after these consults.

As a result of the circumstances, and the uncertainties accompanying them, I have elected to suspend my planned competitive trip to the Gold Coast of Australia. The potential for worsening the damage by training the way I would in that environment is too great to ignore.

No matter the course of action, I am confident that I will return to the competitive forum stronger and hungrier than before.

"Never Never Never Give Up!"

~Winston Churchill

Ah, To Get a New Jersey...Just Stay Away From the Turnpike

Getting back into the fitness realm after a big event, and a good-sized break, can be a trying exercise in and of itself. But cross training is the key. Do something that is far away from what you were training for. If it was swimming, go run. If it was running, go swim. Go play soccer, basketball, softball, dodgeball - anything!

After thoroughly burning myself out last year around this time, I've been very careful not to let myself get crazy and go straight back into the training regimen I had before the Coolangatta Gold. But, well....I don't really know how to go at things in moderation; kind of an all-or-nothing type of person. So, after two-plus weeks off from anything resembling formal training, I decided to jump back in with two feet....both legs....torsoe...arms and head. A couple of Saturdays ago I decided to take a trip up to I. Martin Imports to see my friend Jaime (hi-may) - on my Bicycle!

I had chatted with Jaime previously about coming up to the shop. Jaime had helped my sister get fitted on her bike before her triathlon debut last month, and had given me some pointers on my riding technique, and I wanted to give him and the shop a bit of a shout out. I asked him if he had a jersey, or t-shirt, with i. martin blasted on it that I could sport while riding.

It's about a 25mile trip, one way, up to I. Martin in Beverly Hills, so I should have started early in the day. Nawp. A little sleep-in, some Watermans on the face, and I was out the door at around 1pm. A couple hours later and I was there. If you haven't had the opportunity, and you have any inclination to 2-wheeled adventures, I highly recommend a trip up (I also recommend a car, Figueroa gets pretty hectic). A treasure trove of wheeled-glory, 3-and-a-half rooms of any kind of bike you want or need. And, once in a while you see some recognizable people.

There was a movie...they made a couple of them...about these guys on boats....they dressed kinda funny....ummm...pirates?...Yeah, Pirates of the Caribbean! That's it! Mr. Orlando Bloom stopped by to pick-up a full suspension mountain bike to make use of the Santa Monica Mountain trails.

It was an interesting break in the day, but I was losing daylight and needed to bite the bullet and head back out. I picked up some nutrition and supplements, and looked for a jersey. Jaime pointed me to the back wall and told me to try one on (cycling gear is sized for little euro-guys, so you can't buy stuff without trying it on based on size). I threw the Sunkist Orange long-sleeved jersey on. Zipped it up. Wiggled around. Arms over the head. A few shadow-box punches. Yeah, it fit alright.

Then I heard a fantastic thing. "The jersey's yours, don't worry about it". A sponsor? A Sponsored rider? Me? EPIC!!! (I guess that means I have to start getting more rides in).

I rode home floating - elated from the experience - with only one hiccup along the way - La Brea Blvd. If you've never driven over the hill on La Brea, as it goes along side Kenneth Hahn Park, then you know what I'm talking about - there were no big gears used on this climb. But, after a 10minute ascent, it was 37mph descent on the other side. Its fun when you keep pace with, or pass, cars in traffic.

A 50mile round trip and I was back home. Just a nice little Saturday to break it back in. I was rooted on Sunday. Maybe next week I'll do a ROOT Ride.