Crash!
Just as the head-cold was coming to an end, I've picked up another injury. Trying to get fit is an un-healthy business.
On Saturday, four of the team made it down to Glentress mountain biking centre near Peedles for a day out. More of a "bonding" exercise than hard training. Whizzing down the red run was fun, but I quickly realsied my MTB handling skills aren't what they were. Perhaps there's only so much room in my brain, and since it's full of kayak technique, the mountain bike skills have been squeezed out.
The sharp turns are nicely banked, but the ground was frozen solid. Part way around my rear wheel caught a rock and skipped off the slope, sending me tumbling. I thought I'd sustained just a few cuts and bruises, although the one below my hip stung like crazy. When I finished the ride I discovered blood from the big graze on my hip soaked through my shorts and tights, so when I tried to peel them they stuck to the wound. Ugh.
The best part of the day was meeting Joe Faulkner. Joe trains adventure racers on the fells above his lake District home, and we've signed up for his course next month. http://www.JoeFaulkner.com
Joe was interested in our team and drove up to meet us and pass on some information about the Hebridean Challenge. He'd competed in the solo section last year. We were fascinated to study the maps and photos he'd saved from the event.
Perhaps surprisingly, Joe reckons we ought to be able finish the event provided we continue to train with our present level of committment. This may just be good sports psychology on his part, but it cheered me up!
However, not having been able to train for almost three weeks has been a real frustration. My leg is healing fast, I've a training session booked for 8am on Friday, and we hope to spend much of this weekend kayaking. I hope there are no more interuptions.
On Saturday, four of the team made it down to Glentress mountain biking centre near Peedles for a day out. More of a "bonding" exercise than hard training. Whizzing down the red run was fun, but I quickly realsied my MTB handling skills aren't what they were. Perhaps there's only so much room in my brain, and since it's full of kayak technique, the mountain bike skills have been squeezed out.
The sharp turns are nicely banked, but the ground was frozen solid. Part way around my rear wheel caught a rock and skipped off the slope, sending me tumbling. I thought I'd sustained just a few cuts and bruises, although the one below my hip stung like crazy. When I finished the ride I discovered blood from the big graze on my hip soaked through my shorts and tights, so when I tried to peel them they stuck to the wound. Ugh.
The best part of the day was meeting Joe Faulkner. Joe trains adventure racers on the fells above his lake District home, and we've signed up for his course next month. http://www.JoeFaulkner.com
Joe was interested in our team and drove up to meet us and pass on some information about the Hebridean Challenge. He'd competed in the solo section last year. We were fascinated to study the maps and photos he'd saved from the event.
Perhaps surprisingly, Joe reckons we ought to be able finish the event provided we continue to train with our present level of committment. This may just be good sports psychology on his part, but it cheered me up!
However, not having been able to train for almost three weeks has been a real frustration. My leg is healing fast, I've a training session booked for 8am on Friday, and we hope to spend much of this weekend kayaking. I hope there are no more interuptions.
posted by Simon at 2:26 PM
<< Home