Plans change

Well, we all know plans change. Sometimes those plans changing come at inopportune times. Like...say the Tuesday before my first race of the season.....

....well a plan changing event has happened....and it happened directly to me.

I am to blame. 

Well, sort of to blame. I mean, its my fault....and my responsibility....so the blame does fall directly to me....but there is another player that doesn't care about my plans or my rules. This player does what it wants...whenever it wants....and I am just along for the ride.

Long story short, I won't be racing Barry Roubiax this weekend. I was mentally ready and as physically ready as I could be. I was looking forward to it. Now, its a memory that never happened.

Physically I could race. But I shouldn't. And that isn't my choice, that is a demand from both a doctor and my body. I have to give my body a chance to do its thing before I force the issue and race for 4 to 5 hours. The time is at least 2 weeks, and could potentially be more. 

At this point I am planning on racing the Yankee TT. But some things have to happen with my body first. 

Mainly....I need to let my medicine do its work and clear the blockage I have in my arm. Yes, I have another blood clot. Ugh.

For those that have followed along, you remember my stories about 6 years ago of a near catastrophic ending to my life because of a pulmonary embolism. Well, in 2022 I had another clot. And in 2025 I have yet another. So losing the weight didn't help. But I didn't help my cause either, I was taking half a dose of my meds instead of the full dose.....and it wasn't enough to keep the flood gates open. So, I am back up to my normal dose and the blood is flowing better, just not great. 

I still have a clot in my forearm that feels like a pea under my skin. This size is much better than the nearly golf ball size it was a week ago after riding. See, this is why I can't ride. If I push my heart rate up, clearly more blood is pumping through my veins. But....if its blocked....it has to back up and causes pain and swelling.  Not great. 

I have to take at least two weeks off to allow the clot to clear. I am hoping it will take under two weeks, but that is the minimum time at the moment. I really don't want to....but I have to. I cannot risk having a piece of the clot break off and head to my brain....ending not only my riding season....but likely my life as well.

So, it is a setback. 

2 weeks off during the season is never a great plan. But, two weeks off to help lengthen my life on this planet.....is a decent trade. 

Not what I wanted to share, but it truly is what it is. I am out for Barry, but still holding out hope for Yankee. Even though there are a lot of people and I will be descending in fitness....all I can do is try. I am hopeful that Yankee is on the board still. If that event slides by with me on the sidelines still it will surely be disappointing....and make me more nervous about the rest of my season.

So it will likely be quiet for a few weeks. I have shit to do, but it won't be riding bikes. :(