RANDY PLETT ON THE MEND

Some folks may be aware that Randy Plett was seriously injured in a road cycling race on May 28 as reported in Inline Skate MPLS.

The good news is that, after surgery and a hospital stay, Randy is now up walking, at home and on the road to recovery. Here's Randy's own words from a recent e-mail:
I have been totally overwhelmed with the support from family friends. I have had prayers and well wishes by e-mail, cards, phone calls from around the world. It is amazing to see the outpouring of support, so thanks to you all for your well wishes.

This is to let you all know that I am finally home from hospital from a severe C-6 and C-7 fracture (7 exploded with the impact) and now a successful surgery to stabilize and rebuild the joints (no more sneaking through airport screening for me with all that titanium in my neck!). I have a CTO brace (Patrick will know this one) which supports my upper back and full neck brace which I will wear for at least 2 months. At that point most of the healing should have happened, and I can then start the neck rehab to get my muscles strong enough to support the weight of my head (you can’t imagine how heavy it feels when your muscles are shot).

I am up walking and feeling ok, aside from the muscle spasms from surgery. I hope I can recover in time for ice season, but that is secondary at this point.

Thanks again for all your support.

Randy was the overall top male skater in the 2nd Masters International Canadian Open and is the Canadian record holder for long track Masters Men (40-49) 500m olympic style on outdoor ovals and 1500m mass start on indoor ovals. Words of encouragement can be sent to Randy at redriverspeed@mts.net.

MASTERS PROFILED IN US SPEED SKATING NEWSLETTER

Page 7 of the most recent edition of Ice Chips (Issue #94 - Spring 2009) has an article "Masters Gaining Momentum by Andrew Love. Two masters international long track competitions upcoming next season in the USA are highlighted - including one at the Utah Olympic Oval on January 30-31 and the 2nd Masters International Sprint Games on February 6-7 at the Pettit National Ice Centre in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

A special invitation has been extended to Canadian masters in the article to join in the excitement of these competitions.

Andrew is the US representative to the International Masters Speed Skating Committee and holds IMSSC records for Men 35 in 500m, 1000m and Sprint Samalog.

UPDATE NOTIFICATIONS VIA FACEBOOK

Up to April 11, about 250 people were receiving an e-mail from me advising when the blogs, Masters Speed Skating News and La Page des Patineurs de Vitesse Maitres, were updated.

Due to the security restrictions of my internet service provider designed to reduce the spread of SPAM, it is no longer possible to do this via rhanham@cogeco.ca.

From now on, e-mail notifications of blog updates will be sent from the Facebook group - Canadian Masters Speed Skaters / Patineurs de Vitesse Maitres du Canada. To receive these update notifications, you’ll need to join Facebook and/or join this Facebook group.

Hoping to see as many people as possible join, this Facebook group will provide many more possibilities for masters speed skaters to stay in touch with the sport and their skating friends across Canada and around the world.

May the wind be always at your back