The runner!!???

So, this blog originally was about me overcoming my OA and moving forward and how times have changed....Yes my diet still isn't dialled, yes I'm not working out as often as I like due to a promotion at work and hours increasing. Being a mum of two is full on. 

BUT I never envisaged actually running properly and loving it, in the last six months I have done a 10k race and a 8miler grim. So where to go from here? I want to improve and continue to enjoy running the GRIM pushed me beyond my wildest dreams, but I also want to fall in love with the MtB again so I'm going to get the new steed dirty tomorrow and no weather excuses any more

Plans ? Push myself this year but enjoy the trails and if I can combine the two disciplines that would be awesome 

Was it that long ago???

Omg really ten years ago did my first adventure ride Plymouth to minehead remember how challenging it was off road and looking back how unfit I was. I haven't blogged much this year, life with two kids and night shifts make life very busy. I am really enjoying what little riding I can and we had a lovely few family rides in Devon on our hols.
Racing xc endurance is a pretty unrealistic option at the moment but I have begun to just pick up a map and go anywhere local exploring and it takes me back to this ten years ago. I never saw the challenges in the future that occured so I'm pretty proud of myself and  I am looking forward to my new full suss frame being built up to explore some more new stuff

January challenges...

So a new year promised so much and delivered so little thus far. My 2017 plan now my leg is firing on all cylinders get bike fit again, I have this little niggling hope of Torq 12 in August and bettering myself than previously. My kids however have decided otherwise, unfortunately my sons been pretty ill on and off with his asthma which means extra mummy duties buying into what little bike time I have. So far I've  only ridden twice which is pretty poor really and lost my skills mojo definitely. Did a bit of tunnel last week really struggled for grip, in a quandry at the moment running tubeless tyres suited to spring conditions didn't help. I only have my CX and my rock lobster hardtail and the bamboo has had a terminal event, so kindly the hubby has swapped wheels on the rock lobster just desperate to ride, not so confident on my own which is part of the problem. The question is do I save for a carbon frame or get a new full suss 27.5

I have however been working hard at the gym and have a new Watt bike there so a few cheeky miles on it, the difficulty I have is riding time is often only available after a night shift and the way NHS at the moment you just feel exhausted after a shift. I guess I'm also being strict on trying to get more sleep too something I really have been poor at managing last year, can see gains gym wise as shown but gotta get my Mojo back somehow..l.😬

Naughty November....

Well I've gone and done it again doh, broke my big toe dropping a toe curling 20 kg omit tidying up after others at the gym! However this has not stopped me started spinning again, able to churn the slow resistance climbing but my sprinting will take a while. I'm trying to continue to rehab my leg up to 100kg leg presses which is awesome

So we planned a date day me and the head troll to a Swinley to get some trail action, I was really enjoying the tank traps etc when on the seagull I had to slow. I could hear a noise and DISASTER my bamboo frame split, to say I was gutted was an understatement had to ride gingerly back with Head troll......looks like it will be on,y a choice of Cx or steel hardtail this winter!

Back in the saddle!

Happy days yes I've done it four months later and off I pootle on a ten mile night ride with Rachy! Riding wise I can happily clip in and although I used my gears lighter than normal I'm happy with that! I'm planning a winter of riding hopefully to get fit again. 

I cannot deny that it has been difficult I still struggle to walk properly with the tibial screw and working on my feet for 12 hours is tough but I'm back and intend to make the most of it. I've been weight training a lot and can see the difference it's phenomenal I have biceps and feel strong upper body wise.

I just now need to focus on strengthening my leg and perhaps to continue doing less cardio than I used to and maybe more riding to lighten the load on my legs. Physio is gong ok I can balance more but I don't realistically think I will be running any more or certainly not short term. Hopefully with it being my birthday soon I have hinted to the hubby I need some new winter gloves to keep me motivated!!

9 day post op

So.... Nine days in and has gone pretty clockwork really a bit more sore now to be expected with a toddler in reins and crutches, it's been so good to get into the gym when she's at nursery and the eldest at school was still doing hand bike and sit down alpha weights and core, decided to mix it up today as leg feeling sore, varied the hand bike a bit more with interval speed work, then a few stationary stuff one legged squats on the 'jiggling' machine and lots of varied core work sitting down.

To be honest the biggest challenge is managing the little one with crutches and reins, but we will get there, I'm looking forward to my first physio Monday and wound looks good.....Getting my bike fill with Le tour and a bike festival on Sunday with films and displays, weirdly I'm missing work, but there's nothing I can do about that at the moment

Long and winding road

Rehab begins day 2 post op went really well shocked how good it feels considering it was broken and a screw put in, if anything got to rein myself in as it may be six weeks of crutches, but all my hard work has paid off quads are still there 😀 which made the physio go straight to this do joy brace which is fab. Can move to 30 degrees every so often and hobbling about as much as possible very little pain so it's all good. Off to do sit down bits at the gym tomorrow yay

The Vc

Broken!

Sorry for the radio silence life's been busy with night shifts and kids, cycling had just become exciting again I'd really got into road riding and was flying on the MtB finally when....I had a fight with my washing basket on the stairs and crack. Broke my fifth metatarsal , this is it nearly six weeks later swelling again! Waiting for fracture clinic using my black boot. Now I also have a date for tibial tubercle osteotomy next money which was planned by my surgeon.....This involves a screw in my tibia ouch so cycling so kinda out for a while now. Need to set a new focus...upper body now!

Dem hills dem steep hills

Some lovely riding last month trying to make the most of it and did some long rides at Caesars and Swinley then got a little opportunity on holiday in a stunning location, I forgot how steep Devon is especially with knobbly tires. Was supporting Jay at 24/12 what a really well run event Jay did 120 miles but by 4 am and 14 HR in he called it a day in monsoon like conditions don't blame him really, I would love to do it next year have to say.., MRI scans done of my good knee just waiting to see the boss man for a plan the fear is surgery but we will see,  so like I said make the most of it. The proudest moment was seeing the wee man balance bike two laps on the rollers on his own go super Arran!

Argh!! It never rains but pours

So finally half a stone to go with the training baby is 6 months old, back to work and everything was peachy, lifting pretty decent weights and BANG my niggling knee pain turned into a grade four arthritis that is potentially needing replaced, and the right (replaced one) is playing up. To say I'm gutted is an understatement, was really getting in to riding the CX bike and planning trips!

Embarrassingly even though I work for the NHS I have experienced the good and bad patient experience and feel truly frustrated. My GP has been great but the whole outpatients waiting list has been a farce, my ED colleagues have been a great source of support and I'm very grateful...I have had to take a fortnight time out as unfortunately I then trapped a nerve in my back which I'm hoping meds help with. I'm really missing cycling and the gym so much, I didn't realise what a Huge thing it is to me as a mood lifter and feel good factor and life feels frustrating without, however I'm grateful to have a great family to keep my spirits up...

So sorry the blog has slowed up but it's much like my knees....If as I suspect my left knee needs a replacement I am so gonna drag my sorry butt up to Wales with the hubby for a cheeky road trip before it!! Will keep ya posted, at least my son is taking over the mantle on his balance bike maybe he will be the Danny Macaskill of the future....

New beginnings....

Thanks to everyone for their patience and support yes we now have a complete family with our new addition Maya she will be on Arrans balance bike before you know it. I had managed to train & spin til about 36 weeks then had to retire gracefully until my 41 week induction. Anyone who says labour is a breeze is right with an epidural but it's the after effects I've suffered more with, infection, stitches, anaemia and now a superficial clot in my leg which is quite sore but boy it was worth it. Plans for next year are pretty loose really I aim to shed weight down again to where I was with a six month timeline of getting back to a size 12. Riding wise Torq 12 solo next year is my aim but realistically with two young children and work this may be out of reach riding time wise....I would also love to go back to Wales it has been years and do south down way but mainly it will be riding when I can for fun! A good quick win next year will be commuting on my CX bike to work my nights and I've already bought my day glo socks for that! Til next time hopefully soon will leave you with my gal 

It's been a long time baby!

So.....it's been a long time baby a) since I've written and b) it fits my news So by March I had gone well below 12 stone thanks to a mass improvement in HIIT training PT running and cycling like a little demon, so when I thought a rest was needed as I felt a wee bit run down I found out to my shock that the baby part of the title had happened....YES folks I am pregnant, we both felt a bit shell shocked at home but obviously grateful, so plans have had to change I guess the GRIM 10 K is on the shelves til next year

So I guess how are things changing? I'm close to 4 months now and baby weights coming, have had to train slightly less but am still running gently, and biking the legs are willing the lungs less so! Those of you that know I had a really hard end to the last pregnancy, so to help prevent this I've decided to carry  on training with the support of my trainer in a sensible fashion. So I guess this blog may well be known as squeaky everything til November :)

Gym v bike

Yes it's January that month of guilt for over indulging although most of my Xmas was work then illness! Did do BM 3 at new year but had the crappest race ever, just wasn't feeling it in the wet conditions. I stupidly rode my finally fixed hardtail which was a silly mistake should've stuck to my singlespeed and at least suffered for a good reason.....So my love for the bike has left for January, guess I'm so fed up with any riding time being struck by biblical rain every time! Instead I am focusing on my gym and running gains, and have seen some real progress...
Yes folks I have joined the big bad dark world of Les Mills GRIT and its scary, based on HIIT or Tabata training it's tough to the point of vomit inducing, and surprisingly addictive. If I looked back a year ago I wouldn't have been able todo this as it involves a lot of jumping and knee work but the PT has really pushed me forward and has resulted in more knee bend to the point of 20kg pump squats :)
What I love about my gym is the support of my fellow gym bunnies and my PT they just keep pushing me forwards especially when nights and shifts do get in the way, and I have to admit I even might enjoy running now....just a question of how to get to 10k runs. Anyhoo time to sign off before boring you all too much while I decide on what targets for this year, one is defo a flat tummy I don't ask for much do I?!

Yay it's nearly xmas

Yes it's official I am a grinch but I love Xmas because its the one time of year me the hubby and my toddler have time to juggle riding! Unfortunately due to a lack of funds and broken forks, I have only been single speeding all winter.....but to share a secret with you, I kinda love it! I have been trying to night ride once a week which seems to be pretty successful and had a great Brass Monkeys 1 at my local trails Minley. Normally finishing last in the ladies would upset and deflate me, but I was the only lady single speeder and was pleased with my four laps n just over four hours, except the Telegraph hill everything was singlespeedable for me. I really enjoyed the course well done to Gorrick and Panter for some new sections!  Training wise the weight loss has kicked in again and I am consistently doing 5 K runs now at the gym which is pleasing. This has turned into a great thing as yes folks I have suddenly developed a massive marginal gain (lol) I have gained more bend in my knee replacement and can now ride sustained hours clipped in....so I think some disco slippers are calling me for Xmas! Also had a lovely family ride yesterday at Frensham with three counties MTB as you can see 

We have had an offer accepted for a house which fingers crossed has mod bike room we really do get our priorities right! So I think next year I may be getting a CX bike for work commuting! So brass monkeys is on again next Sunday but myself and the better half are contemplating an all day ride instead its not often we get the opportunity. I wish everyone a merry Xmas in case I don't blog for a bit ho ho ho

Life gets in the way

Gosh it has been a while, after the disappointment of calling it a day at Stillettos on Wheels I kinda needed time off the bike really, my knee needed the rest and its done me he world of good,I'm running longer, stronger lifting bigger weights and really seeing the weight coming off again with my shape completely changing. A few shorter rides sprinkled in led to an impromptu Scotland trip helped. Surprisingly I got a childless day to ride the blue and red at Glentress and noticed the strength in my legs riding twice to the very top with little effort man those trails are amazing and fun for all abilities. I then went to the ledge that is Jedi for his public Jumps and Drops course, but really didn't think! My seat post doesn't drop down! So I had to use his bike but boy was it fun and I even manual led and got my wheel in the air on jumps! On the downside I had a really silly stack breaking a finger doh! So Jay is racing on Sunday...weekend riding has become difficult with me working Sat nites but I will try a little pedal if I can tomorrow. As for racing Brass Monkeys I'm not sure yet if I have enough bike time for it to justify spending the money....time will tell 

Three weekends of craziness

So two weekends down one to go, I can categorically say this has been a huge challenge with injuries and illness, as I write at the moment I have a sinus infection from the mud swilling in them ouch!

So how did Torq 12 go well what a great course albeit with more climbing than last year the approx 8 mile course felt fab and I bettered last years effort with 9 laps and missing out by 5 mins going again, I can definitely say the Kinesio tape pulled me through and I rode everything too on 9 occasions, although I struggled to walk for days after I was really chuffed with the effort and my bamboo really was survivable as a 12 hour hard tail. The supporters were immense and. Lovely atmosphere in the arena, have to say I was chuffed 

Next up was the dark side the nuts challenge a big get well soon to my mate Percy who fractured dislocated his ankle on our 7K lap this was easily. The hardest thing I've done and as this is a biking blog I'm not gonna bore you all but the photos say enough....

Next up is stilettos on wheels in Brighton not sure my body can 'compete' anymore as I can barely cope with my head moving so may just do a token lap really but so be it!

Not sure if I can do it....

The nerves are setting in, Torq 12 hour solo is next Sunday and its the beginning of my mad 3 week challenge. I guess the nerves are setting in now......training has been full of setbacks, my knee has been blowing up and down like a yo yo, and being set back by a chest infection that has increased my inhaler usage massively is worrying. The knee is stressing me out, am waiting for an 'urgent' appointment still with my surgeon, tried a 8hr ride last week and had to call it a day at 5 hours. Helen one of my bike buddies introduced me to kinesio tape so I am willing to try anything to help, but I've called it a day on trialling my speedplay pedals till my knee is better. I am thinking I've just got to try my best Sunday but my hope of bettering 8 laps will be a pipe dream I reckon ......keep your fingers crossed for me!

To knee or not to knee that's the question!

Pretty quiet and frustrating month so far unfortunately my knee replacements been very problematic and sticky,I ended up spending two weeks doing only core stuff and hand cycling, thanks to all my sympathetic gym buddies and Pt for devising other things to do. The PT stuff is getting harder but I should take it as a positive that I'm stronger. Managed to do a short evening ride last week at Minley as I am worrying bout torq12 now..lol, also commuted in London for the first time that was quite the adrenaline rush, attending the Cycle Surgery Ladies nite at Southwark, was a fun educational nite with great feebies,then spent the weekend at Bontrager 24/12 at Plymouth a fab event well run, I got a couple of cheeky laps in before hand, and was there to support Jay. He did amazing 13th in his first 24 solo he was a machine! 

Knees are really stiff again since yesterday and joined the boys Mon nite ride at Swinley which was fast for me but biblical weather wise I was soaked but enjoyed the high speed descents in the grease with no offs.....and below is me and Rachy posing! Am really just trying to nurse the knees through to Torq so I'm hoping I can do it..l.

Long summers riding is here yay

Managed a big loop with Jay last week we did a 55 miler as ran out of time and I will blame that on Jays tea drinking slowness! We headed up to Caesars, Ash, Tunnel Porridge Pot then Frith with a food stop at Spar, before heading to Swinley and back home, it was interesting trying to keep th Jay and looking at my strava I did ok!! I felt strong which put me in good stead for this weekend riding....

So my plans were a bit stressed as had an interview for the Commonwealth Games so had to travel back from Glasgow on Sat evening, so the race prep was quite a rush...but thanks to my hubby for childcare and prep it was less hassle!

Are You Tough Enough was 6.5 miles in blistering heat and I opted for the 6 hr Cat sadly there was no womens cat so I lost my podium chance but I had 4 good laps and one horrific lap of too much gels and not enough food need I say any more the course actually suited a slow one like me as I could pedal virtually everything except one steep hill, really enjoyed the race on the Bamboo and heres to more racing. A big Thanks to Jay, Arran, Little Dean for fixing my bike and the encouragement from all the Trolls on the course, and of course Bamboo Bikes for their kind sponsorship

The wall.....

Had felt I had hit a wall riding wise but the last few weeks of longer riding is starting to make a difference and the weight loss is starting to kick in again. The downside of having OA and riding more is the swelling after and that I don't rest much really but I really want to move forward.....

 Have had some great riding lately locally thanks to dry dusty trails with a few groups of mates and have really pushed my switchback and descending technique. Riding the bamboo regularly has now brought some new found confidence and made the wall at Swinley feel easy peasy! The bamboo angle is slacker and has totally changed my riding for the better. The bonus of all this is more comfy clothing becoming looser too :0)

Have planned an all day loop this week as I have some well deserved holiday time, a short ride Wed and a medium ride Sat too....there may be a Southern XC entry on Sunday if I'm not working just to get a race in really,as the next race is AYTE in July after travelling back from Scotland on the train the night before not the best race prep but hey I'm not an athlete! 

The photo are courtesy of Claire Conway Birds on bikes