March Athlete of the Month

WELCOME TO MARCH

BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS MONTH

It is not too late to sign up and participate with us in our "100,000 Reasons to Ride" event to help STOPTHECLOT.org continue its valuable missing of creating awareness about blood clots and blood clotting disorders while celebrating all blood clot survivors.

My Team #STOPTHECLOT Clot Buster polka-dots are ready... are yours...?!?! SIGN UP NOW by following the link below...

https://raceroster.com/events/2021/38192/team-stop-the-clot-presents-the-100000-reasons-ride

The month March is always full of inspiration for me because there is a great deal of focus on spreading awareness and making connections with people who may benefit from learning a bit more about blood clots and blood clotting disorders.

In my opinion one of the best ways to make a connection is by sharing your personal experience.  In our case sharing your experience of overcoming blood clots can be a very powerful tool that others can use to craft their very own story of overcoming and surviving their own blood clotting incident.  

For the March edition of Athelete of the Month we have a high octane blood clot survivor who likes to go fast on two wheels... very fast and with his kind of sport the risk of danger is enhanced when the going fast is done on dirt roads... KARL has been willing to share his story of survival with us and I can't for you to read below... Enjoy!

What is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it? 

Motorcycle competitions. I do modern and vintage trials along with vintage motocross, after racing bicycles for thirty years.

How did you get started in that sport? 

I raced motocross in my teens. I was just a kid that loved motorcycles.

What is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve?

I was able to do motocross races this past fall after have my rotator cuff rebuilt and my bicep reattached. Longest time for a recovery I've ever had. Breaking my femur in three places was easy compared to this.

I'm planning on a full schedule of competition this summer and doing long bike rides for fitness and enjoyment.

Tells about your clotting episode.  Are you on blood thinners now? How long were you out of commission? 

I have Factor V Leiden, plus a phantom protein that can cause clots. My second clot happened on a bike ride Christmas morning. I noticed my leg was very swollen. No pain but knew what it was.

I'm on Eliquis now and probably will be for life because of the phantom protein.

When were you able to get back into your activity?  How did it feel that first time?  

I'd been through it before. I was back in a couple weeks riding. Leg was quite sore. 

What is your favorite piece of gear for your favorite activity?

Merino wool socks from Darn Tough.

How much are you getting out doing your sport? 

I pretty much do some physical activity everyday. Yoga, bike riding, trials practice, XC skiing.

What is your favorite food?  Either generally or after a workout.  

Tough call. Pizza and tuna tacos. Waffles or French Toast with poached eggs for breakfast.

If you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go? 

I want to see the Southwest of the USA and Australia.

What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode, perhaps very similar to yours?  How can people return to do what they enjoy? 

Just get to it. The sooner you do the better you'll feel. Sure there's day I have a nagging worry it could happen again. But I'm not going to let it hold me back from doing what I love.

When I returned to racing motocross my Dr. said "You do understand what could happen?" and I said "I understand." He then smiled because he knew I was racing again.

THANK YOU SO MUCH Karl for sharing your thoughts with us all.  Yes Sir... Keep on racing and doing what you love for as long as you can.  NEVER STOP GOING!  

Thank you for reading,

The Clot Buster