I got word from the Dr that I had a minor meniscus tear, but it didn’t warrant surgery and that most of my issue is arthritis. But this is osteoarthritis, not my normal rhematoid flavor. I am going to NYC in a couple days and would love to skate there so I went out to test the knee. I was able to skate without much pain for 20-30 minutes, but it was so bad. I had zero confidence, pop, skill. I did one line of tail drop shove off a rock, pop shove on flat, kickflip on flat. One axle stall on a rock. Another kickflip that took like 20 tries. Went home thinking I didn’t push it much. Woke up the next day and the knee pain is totally back. Needless to say I’m super bummed. Hoping some hyaluronic acid shots in a few weeks help, but for now real skating for a while. Maybe some slappies or very low transition, but that’s it. 🙁

(setup 3/10 8.5 null sample 14.25, jessup ultragrip, royal ultralite 149, spitfire f4 99a tablet 52mm, es swift b/w size 12 currex runpro insoles)
(pain level 4/10 felt weird since I haven’t jumped in a month)

On a cloudy and cool morning I drove by scott carpenter on the way to howard heuston and saw it was empty so I stopped in for some carves. The plan was to again not pop, but maybe do a few little grinds. I had some fun, but it was mostly pretty boring not being able to pop. The main area of the park is so slow now it’s weird, even with bigger wheels the concrete is slow. I had a few fun back 50s on the new little straight wall, one front slash, an awkward bail on the tiny escalator qp that my have tweaked my knee a little, one switch front nose on the bench. At the end I did a pretty dumb line of roll into the steep bank, roll out the steeper qp then ride onto the bench via the qp next to it. Yippee. Then I went by HH and left after a few minutes kind of disgusted by how bad Evergreen skateparks are. They aren’t even fun when you can’t do tricks. Guess I need to bust out a scooter or strider bike since that is what they are designed for.

(setup 8.5 null sample 14.25, jessup ultragrip, thunder hollow lite 149 royal bushings, bones 53mm v1 103a stf pj, new balance numeric 868 grey/blue size 12 currex runpro insoles)
(pain level 5/10 wasn’t feeling as good)

On a gorgeous day I couldn’t resist a couple afternoon slappies. Knee felt okay when doing so and I definitely had to fight off the itch to try real tricks. The front slappy took me a while. I also felt more off than ever on my board. Maybe because i changed trucks again, maybe because my lack of time on the board is adding up. Anyway, it was fun and Thunders have a great pinch. But still a terrible turn.

(setup 8.5 null sample 14.25, jessup ultragrip, thunder hollow lite 149s with Royal bushings, bones 53mm v1 103a stf pj, new balance numeric 868 grey/blue size 12 currex runpro insoles)
(pain level 1/10)

Went to the dog park to meet Nullers before filming. Jack and Jesse were there and then Simon and crew came too. I had done my quote of slappy crooks, a switch front nose or two, one boardslide. It was fun, but again frustrating not trying real tricks. It was fun watching the Nullers rip it and then we went on to have a good filming day.

(setup 8.5 null sample 14.25, jessup ultragrip, royal ultralite 149s, spitfire f4 99a 52mm classics, new balance numeric 868 grey/blue size 12 currex runpro insoles)
(pain level 2/10 I mean it didn’t hurt because I didn’t do anything)

Around 11 I went to the Valmont pump track. Literally, the pump track, not the Valmont skatepark ‘pump track’. I did a few laps. Enjoyed the fast part of the track, but hated how slow and rough most of the track is now. I saw Paul bike by and he convinced me to go to the strider pump track (aka the Evergreen built ‘skatepark’ that attracts kids on bikes). We didn’t last long because the kids were out of control. I went to say hi to Bratcher at the ledges and some other old dudes. Ended up having some fun slappy crooks and some fun rides over the A-frame but couldn’t quite do the chinese nollie. It did feel good to get out on my board and I managed to not jump at all and I think I avoided doing any additional damage to my knee.

(setup 8.5 null sample 14.25, jessup ultragrip, royal ultralite 149s, spitfire f4 99a 52mm classics, new balance numeric 868 grey/blue size 12 currex runpro insoles)
(pain level 2/10 I mean it didn’t hurt because I didn’t do anything)

Pretty sure I have a torn meniscus so it’s going to be months before I really skate. I did a few slappy crooks which didn’t seem to hurt at all. But it also didn’t really satisfy the itch to skate so I’m not sure I’ll even bother until I can really skate again.