Wiggington 100

I did my first Audax of my comeback last week. The Wiggington 100. 100km, I rode to Leeds station, got a train to York and rode up from York station. With the homeward journey I did about 85 miles in total for the day. A flat(ish) easy ride and not too quick. I was fine, as I expected to be. I rode with a few people I knew from York and Leeds, some CTC riders who are nice people. I really enjoyed my day, a couple of nice trian journeys and a nice bike ride. Car free isn't too bad, the trains are fun and stress free.

Riding in the North Riding

Physiotherapy continues, we are doing advanced hip/core exercises. I probably should have done these before , they are recommended for cyclists so I think I'll probably come back stronger than before.

I did 57 miles last weekend in three bites. 10 miles from home to the station and back, 47 miles from Skipton station to Gargrave where I met my friends then across to Wharfedale, up to Buckden and back to Skipton, via Gargrave. Cool and drizzly weather, gritty, wet and muddy roads. Could have been better conditions but it was nice to be out with the others again. I hadn't see one of these guys since well before I crashed. I was very pleased with the way I went though, not the route, I mean how I performed. Not as strong as I was, I still not dare do much out of the saddle riding. I never did much out of the saddle before anyway and I am strong enough in the saddle now anyway. The interval training in the gym seems to have paid off.

So some motivation is back, I need to keep at it, keep making arrangements to meet people to get me out.

Walk Tall

Well, I am declaring that I can now walk properly again. Most of the time. If I am careful I think my limp is hard to detect, I still feel some stiffness in my hip and sometimes my foot. Not very often though. My six month x-rays and appointment revealed some ossification on my pelvis where the screws were inserted. Not a problem at the moment since they are not close to my joint. My next appointment with the surgeons is in one years time, they must be happy enough. I am happy enough, I can do most things now. I walked a bit too far this week and made my hip ache, some gym work and rest sorted it out. Cycling is OK, been riding to work a few times each week. My strength is coming back, I need to pile the miles in now and lose some weight. It is good to be riding to work, much preferred to standing around at bus stops.

I'm on the road again

How time flies. Since I last wrote to you I have made more progress along the road to wellville. Been cycling, yes, I'm back on two wheels. An easy 46km-er, metric isn't as easy to say as imperial, a twenty seven miler. Flat with four other members of the club. No Problermo. I felt fine physically, a little tired but otherwise OK. Pleased with myself that I felt comfortable and confident once again. Since then two more rides to test myself on hills, still no pain but obviously acute lack of fitness, it's going to be hard work over the next few months.

My walking is improving, I can nearly walk properly, I still feel an ache in my foot and also now in my hip, it's quite deep and a new sensation. Not too much to make me wince though. A casual observer probably would be able to tell I have a limp at the moment. I am pleased, I think things will continue to get better. The cycling leaves me feeling good, it makes the aches in my foot and hip temporarily disappear. Still doing the gym work too though once I start cycling to work I'll change that routine and do less cardio and more strength/stability exercises.

Five Days a Week

I haven't added a blog entry for a while, seems that all blogs have to say that at some point. There I've done it. I have been turbo training twice a week for 30 minutes each session. In addition to that I have been visiting the gym twice a week too. It's getting easier and I am doing a little more each time, more repetitions or heavier weights. None of it hurts. My feet continue to hurt so my walking is still ungainly. I completed five full days at work last week, lots of walking to and from the bus stops. My ankles were quite swollen on Thursday and Friday evenings. The buses were a drag, the damn thing broken down on Wednesday evening and dumped us off at Elland Road. Another bus came along about 10 minutes later. Sooner I get back to cycling to and from work again the better. I had a sneaky ride on Catherine's new bike today, it's far too small for me but I had to test ride it. I felt fine, no problems at all. As I had hoped it felt second nature again. Small steps.

Beats Per Minute

My heart is always beating but yesterday I raised it's speed deliberately for the first time since my crash. My physio. last Thursday gave me a circuit to perform in a gym. Some exercises I can do without the aid of machines, some exercises using the resistance machines and best of all use of the exercise bike. Originally she intended it for warm up but since I am a cyclist and want to get back to cycling she told me to do a 20 minute cycling session. So on Sunday I did. I visited the gym for the first time in about 10 years, took my induction session and did my circuit. You know what ? I enjoyed it too. It felt good sitting on the machines exercising, whilst sitting no one can see I have a damaged pelvis, my movement is like everyone else's when I walk slowly.

My feet still hurt but the pain is moving around, I expect it'll stop once all muscles are used to the efforts. Walking continues to get easier and I can walk further each time. Pedalling is not painful at all so it'll not be long before I can get out on the road again.

Phsyiotherapy

I attended my first physiotherapy session today. Went well. The young physiotherapist asked me some questions to build a picture of my case, she seemed surprised that I have no pain, she tested my leg motion, my bad side has as much movement as the other one and almost as much strength. I explained how my feet and knee hurt when I am walking and it was suggested that it may be due to over compensation due to the muscles in my hip not being strong enough. Not sure I believe this but they are the experts. I think it is due to lack of use for three months then suddenly walking. I was shown some exercises to strengthen the muscles. The physio. assessed my walking and suggested I should walk as much as possible without my crutch, I only use one when out doors. I have tendency to lean on the crutch which will upset the muscle balance in my back and core. I knew this, but the crutch is useful for uneven ground or when I am walking quickly to take some of the pressure off my feet. It'll come, once my feet stop hurting I'll be walking tall, I am sure of that. Best of all I was told that I can ride a bike again.