Now what

Though I had my third career ace on Sunday on a shot shorter than a field goal I kicked in a game at McKinley Park in 1987, my overall game was not good as putting was an issue. (I still count the ace) Last Wednesday, between deliveries, I stopped at a park to practice putting taking 5 putters out of my trunk and throw them all at a basket in groups of 5 from varying positions and distances.

On the 5th round, I felt a pop in my right arm similar to what happened 3 other times in the past two years. I threw a couple more putts and left. When I checked my arm strength the next morning, it was not just a little sore like it was those three times but similar to what happened to my arm in 2015 when my season ended in June and I had to go through physical therapy the following March to finally end up playing in June 2016.

The following evening, I tried to see if there was a way I could putt let alone play and confirmed there really isn't. I am wanting to play in an event in 5 days but that is highly doubtful. The only good thing about this is that is happened the day before I was going to register for three events in September.

Today at work, I have been more pissed off than normal even for me. I am hoping when the depression hits that I am not in a place where I could do something permanent.

Had I injured my arm trying to get an extra 20 feet on a shot, by throwing a forehand, or even after playing too much over a short time, I could understand. This happened on a shot that was thrown only 20 fucking feet on a day after being off for two. I do admit that trying to conserve medication so I could make it last longer if my company makes a decision which would be understandable was a factor as well. Before that my 32 oz cup of soda felt "heavy". I wonder if that was a sign I ignored.

So what do I do next? I have already been doing rehab exercises like I did a while ago and I figure that I could be tournament ready again by the end of the year or even Thanksgiving for the event in Silver Lake but all my plans for September are gone. Others have suggested other things to do. I popped a tendon in my elbow. No joint manipulation or other type therapy is going to help. If I was a professional athlete, I might even have surgery but since I can still do my job, that won't happen.

When the thing that gives reason to get up at 5:15 is not there, it gets tough.

I see stage 4 is making its way through me now.