This is a hard note to post.
Short version: I've spent the last 18 months trying to work around an injury in my left deltoid that won't go away and actually is getting worse. Therefore, I've decided I need to withdraw from this year's EC.
Long version (don't read, it's boring):
During last year's EC, off-and-on throughout the course, I was in pain. By the Florida Bay crossing it was excruciating. Although you might not know that by the way I was lifting those rum and cokes at the Bay Motel.
After the race, I vowed to come back stronger than ever. To that end, I tried working around the injury. For instance, doing close grip chinups and narrow stance pushups which didn't hurt versus pullups and shoulder presses which did. I did a lot of mountain biking with Druce (TheJuice) culminating in a 250 mile race this last Fall. We did a lot a gonzo muli-day training. Every week throughout the Summer, Druce and I did what we called our 100 mile weekend. During one 3-day period in August with temps at 110 plus we accomplished; 70 miles of mtbiking on day one, 35 mile trek on day two, 55 mile paddle on day three. We were having fun.
We were looking forward to this year's EC more than ever. Our SEDA triple is in pristine shape, the hull flawless. Our kit is as organized as ever. It's interesting to me how one's kit keeps changing. Our course planning has been more thorough than ever before. We've had a lot of fun strategizing and re-strategizing our course options based upon the variables one might encounter. Our training has been good. But the whole time it has felt as though there were two different guys sitting in my kayak seat. The right side guy; solid, strong, indomitable. The left side guy; shadowy, weak, complaining.
This last Sunday, we went for a 51 mile cruise. As per usual we were keeping a comfortable 5.7 mile per hour average. But, this time my shoulder started going "south". At 35 miles it was painful. By 45 miles, I could not paddle at all. Druce paddled us the remaining 6 miles.
By the way, we incorporated the 4 hour (now 4 to 6 hour) SPOT OK messaging with our normal eating plan. Every half hour we eat; one eats a few quick bites while the other paddles. Every 4 hours, we eat more substantially; one eats and rests for 10 minutes while the other paddles. Obviously, this schedule works well with on old model SPOT.
The last few days, I've been in turmoil trying to make the right decision. What's that definition of insanity? One keeps doing the same thing over and over but yet somehow expects a different result. That would be me of late. So instead of continuing with the insanity, I've decided to get proper medical advice. I can't even contemplate the personal ramifications of starting an EC and then not being able to finish because I can't use my arm.
So, I will get medical help, mend this thing, and then return to the idea of being a long distance paddler. In the meantime, Druce and I have a 300 mile mt bike race coming up in April and a 250 mile race next September. Druce has a 300 mile adventure race scheduled for June. While he's dong that, I plan on speed hiking the Mohave Road. It's an ancient Indian, and historically interesting, track through the desert linking springs along its way. And I've put the Tough Mudder - Las Vegas on my calender for next October. For that I will need to "up" my running which will be a good thing.
In creating the Everglades Challenge, Chief has created one of the most wonderful adventure-endurance events on the planet. For those of you who haven't done an EC yet, you are about to find that out. To those of you who have done the EC, you already know that, that's why you keep returning.
I know all of you have your own goals for this upcoming EC. To all of you, I wish you all the luck in the world in seeing your goal come to fruition.
We'll see you paddling (or sailing),
Robert
