Pro-physio Cycling Update

Well, it's been a couple of month's since I have updated my blog - I know poor show. Well since the Cat & Fidle cycle in Monsoon, I have at last had the PFO - you know that hole in the heart thingy fixed. That was done toward the end of November without any complications (that they told me about)! I was told (advised) to lay off exercise for at least 6 weeks (after further negotiation with one of the surgical team, I managed to get leeway to cycle, avoiding the 'Val Salva Manoevre' (Holding ones breath whilst straining)). Well not a lot of that goes on in cycling. So, 3 days after the Op, I sat on my bike on the indoor trainer to spin my legs round. Stupid B'stard I hear you say. You're right, a couple of minutes later with a sensation akin to that of a can of worms opening within the confines of the left side of my chest as my pulse reached 90 plus, told me to get the F out of there! I needed +ve re-enforcement, proof if you like that I shouldn't be doing certain things to get through to my thick skull, and this was it. I thought 'that's not right', and calmly got of the bike, exited out of the Sufferfest interval Training DVD, and went back indoors. I didn't feel the need to run this episode past the wife - for obvious reasons. But thought, 'maybe I'll have a go in about a week.

A week later I got back on the indoor trainer deciding to limit my heart rate to 120BPM, and set off. It's quite hard to effectively train, and keep you pulse low. I managed it for the next 4 weeks, by putting in only 70% effort on the intervals. Once I got the 'All Clear' I was away. Graft in situ, 'crack on mate'. I did umpteen sufferfest video's; a couple of leisure rides with the family, and one with my son, before tackling a 25 miler with my little bro in Staffordshire. I am pleased to say 'No further problems reported'. Heart, legs, lungs felt good; I now look forward to getting back into cycling proper!

I thought I'd do the return leg of my usual jaunt to Sidlesham nr Selsey last Sunday. The return to Winchester is infinitely harder, as it is almost all uphill (Until past Bishops Waltham). A man of my calibre should have no problem with that! Well, how wrong can one be? Bear in mind that i've not cycled 30 miles, or done any exercise in the past 3 months; coupled with a loose post New Year 'elastic' resoloution, to watch what I eat, which had started the week before was a recipe for disaster. I had totally cut out all fat, sometimes missed breakfast and stayed off the snacks. I was low on energy anyway, but thought this would be a good one to attempt on a bottle of water only! I bonked at approximately 20 miles. I had to continue 2 miles to a local petrol station, and stocked up on Lucazade and a Marathon (Snickers) bar, with a couple of Nutri-grain bars as spare for the remaining 10 miles. Bloody hell!! This was rocket fuel, I fair sprinted the rest of the way home.

Lessons I have learn't:
1. I am infact Mortal!
2. I do get F'ing cold on the bike!
3. I don't know what's best for me!
4. I need to listen to others occasionally??

All stored, ready to be forgotten about in the spring/summer.

Have entered the Verenti Dragon Ride in June - better get training. I've always wanted to do that ride. There are a couple of others on the Radar, which include; The Jodrel Bank ride, Cornwal Tor, New Forest Spring Sportive, and the Southern Sportive (you get a free T shirt) in Autum. No, I'm not doing the Cat & Fiddle, not unless they move it to rainfree May or June? & maybe a few degrees further south?
I need to service the bike. Ruby requires a new Chain, cassette & tyres. If she behaves she'll get these for the spring - Roll on!

Will
www.pro-physio.co.uk