A few days out of the saddle but not resting !

I've been busy over the last few days at home.

I've moved a fresh air blower from one room to another which took the best part of a day as well as lots of hammering, drilling, chiseling, etc.

I've also spent a day working on my car as well as another with my parents taking in a fairly long walk.

The DIY day caused my knee to flare up again :( It's nearly settled down again. I'm going to try to get out on my bike tomorrow to see how it reacts. As I've said before, my knee is now my biggest cause for concern. Although, cycling doesn't seem to do it much harm.

After the event I'm going to have to give it a good rest and work on some stretches and strength building. Otherwise it'll be back to the hospital :(

Off-roading and finishing with the beast!

For the first time in a couple of months I got in a proper off-road training session.

I rode for about 90 minutes and got a reminder of how tough single track is compared to road work.

2.5 weeks to go and as I said yesterday, I'm worried now that I'm not in the shape needed to do the event properly.

Maybe I'll feel stronger in a weeks time.


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Away with the family so a session in the gym

Been away with the family since Sunday's long road ride.

So I dragged myself out of bed early this morning for a session in the very nice hotel gym.

However I wish I'd stayed in bed! I had a really tough 50 minute workout on the exercise bike :(

The machine knew my age, weight, heart rate, etc but didn't give me an easy ride. I was completely done in at the end of the session. I don't know how I can be ready in just a couple of weeks :(

Back home and hope to get out again in the morning.

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Totally unprepared for the big weekend

Work has been absolutely insane since I've switched jobs. I'm literally working all the time. I'm try to get this under control but it's affected my training and my preparation.

We've got no pre-race B&B, the camping equipment needs sorting, my mountain bike is covered in dust, we've done no night training, not dug the lights out of the boxes from last year and more. I really to need free up some time to get organised!

I've got next week off so really need to make an effort !!

Back on two wheel, loads of parrots and knee's getting better

I started training again this week and have been out for the last two mornings. Both times following the same route. Stats here.

My knee is not feeling too bad. I'm keeping it strapped during the day and icing it after each ride. So far it's holding out fine but still doesn't feel back to normal. I'm planning to slowly add pace and effort so as not to risk an injury. I'm disappointed that it's playing up though. Only another four weeks to go so I'm not going to be in great shape for the event.

I can't finish without mentioning the parrots ! I know I've commented before on them being in Richmond Park but now the sun's out there are more than I believed possible. Yesterday there must have been about 20 of them on the road in front of me. They moved at the last minute so I was riding through them as they took off. I've seen loads more too. Amazing, who would have thought it in the UK ?!!

I'm going to try to get up in the morning for the same loop again then go out with my son on Friday. He's only just learnt to ride his bike and loves it :)

Knee checked and getting better

Yesterday I was starting to get concerned that my knee had stopped getting better.

So I took a couple of hours out of work to head to Hounslow NHS walk in centre to get it checked out.

After an hour and a half wait I got to see a doctor who gave me a thorough going over. She says the knee seems stable and there's no ligament, tendon or cartlidge damage which is a huge relief.

She suggested a support, ibuprofen, light exercise and patience. The latter I'm not good at when it comes to recovering from injuries!

So I'm still not training. If I rest I should get 3 or 4 weeks training in. If I push too early I could do more serious damage and risk not even making it to the start line plus any other unpleasant consequences :(

Roll on next week and hopefully a repaired knee !



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New week, old problem

Started to get worried now. One week on and my knee's not fixed. Slowly getting better but not strong enough to train on.

Only about 5 weeks to go and I'm so far out of shape I'm starting to get concerned now.

Riding round the clock including night laps seems unlikely at the moment.

I'm going to try to rest for another week. If that doesn't work then I'm going to need it looking at :(


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Poorly knee :(

Training is going really badly this year.

I twisted my knee at the weekend at the beech and my knee has swollen up. Walking was painful yesterday and my knee feels tight.

I got up early to train this morning but my knee's still not right. So I'm giving it a rest :(

Not many weeks to go. This is bad timing :(


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New week new pedals

New pedals are fitted as the old ones were not serviceable.

I'm having no luck getting into apartments at the moment so am stuck in a hotel this week. Makes training more of a pain as I can't store my bike in my room, get showered, changed and breakfasted without going to the restaurant, etc.

Location is not ideal either as I'll be in Brentford where it's harder to train as the roads are busy and there are junctions every few hundred metres.

I'm sure I'll sort something out. At least I won't be breaking my body by running :)


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More running :(

Did another 2.5 miles on Thursday and had a rest today. Legs still sore but not as bad as they were.

Planning to take my bike back down to London next week so should be back in the saddle soon.

May get out on my bike at the weekend or do another run.