About three weeks ago I had a pretty spectacular crash at Tokoroa while training. I was working on a section of the track and once I was happy with my line choices I decided to hit it faster and went bounce, bounce, bounce, splat. Unfortunately I cross rutted on landing and high sided and was sent flying into the ground where I broke my humerus. This is the bone that goes from your elbow to your shoulder and I broke it right at the top where it goes into the shoulder joint. I picked myself up off the ground and walked back to the ute where Dad checked me over and then decided to take me to Tokoroa Hospital. I thought I had dislocated my shoulder because it made a big pop on impact but x-rays showed a break and due to where the break is I didn’t have to have surgery. I have six weeks in a special sling, and fortnightly x-rays, while my bones mend and then I will be able to get back on the bike and work myself back up to track riding strength as long as I don’t bash my shoulder during my healing time – if I don’t rest it and take it easy I will be out for longer. Even after a few weeks I can see the loss of muscle and strength in my arm and because I have had to be careful not to bump my shoulder I haven’t been able to do anything physical. We have had to cancel my plans to ride in Adelaide at the Junior Nationals as 3 weeks after doctors clearance is not enough time to get back to the level of fitness I was while I was training so even though this does suck I have decided to change my big goal from AJMX 2019 to AJMX 2020 which will be in Rockhampton, Qld. They are in July next year so I have 12 months to recover and get myself prepared. Just having a bit of an unexpected break now until I get back to smashing all my goals I have set in the near future and way down the track. Onwards and upwards.
Soren Staudinger 