Return the joy please Doc.

This evening I will be going to see a psychologist for CBT. CBT is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I am having this treatment because, it would seem that since being knocked off my bicycle in July 2012, I have developed some anxieties when it comes to riding my road bike.
My anxiety does not extend to all cycling. For instance, I can ride my single-speed bike and hybrid bike without many issues. It just tends to be around riding at speed, namely, training rides. My original psychological report suggested that I had a "Specific Phobia". More to do with an environment as opposed to an action. 
In the very few times I have been out for a ride, I have found myself being overly cautious and apprehensive when approaching junctions and busy roads. Even the quiet roads I find myself processing what may or may not happen. Is that car reversing out on to the road? Has that driver seen me? These thoughts are on a permanent loop in my mind. Thus taking away the joy I used to get from cycling. As the year has gone on, I find myself making more excuses to not go out for a ride. Lying to myself like a politician. "Well! It's not that I don't want to ride, its just in the current climate I dont think its advisable!"
Prior to the accident, many a Sunday morning would come and I would head out to the coast and back before work. Me time. Ride time. 
I don't usually cycle in groups or with a club. Thats just the way I am. I love the freedom of being able to go where I wanted and being able to stop or sprint when I wanted. I just want those joys back!

I'll update this after my visit to the Doctor. Stay tuned.

Five Ways to Succeed as a Triathlete and a Parent

Five Ways to Succeed as a Triathlete and a Parent

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

Last night I went to my regular Ipswich Jaffa running club track session. It was a 3 kilometer time trial. I was quite happy I managed to knock out 12 minute and twenty something second. But toward the end of that session my knee started to feel quite aggravated. Coupled with Achilles Tendonitis and a major lack of fitness.
 Anyway this morning I hit the google machine and managed to find some information about what is going on under my knees bone.
Turns out it is something called Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Soreness when sitting for long time. Can flare up with overexertion. I have added links to the articles which  I read.

I am still going to visit my doctor to check my self diagnosis is correct.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Patellofemoral-Pain.htm

http://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00007256-199928040-00003


http://saveyourself.ca/tutorials/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome.php

The Whole Hog 2013

Quite possibly the best race I have ever done. The Whole hog was a 6-7 mile adventure race through the woodlands and marshes of Wandisten in Suffolk. 

 Cargo nets, Mud climbs, rode swings.....

 Smiles of joy, grimaces of pain.

Here, I'd just fallen on my arse! Took the opportunity to rest.

New Boardman.

Post by Boardman Bikes.

The Armstrong Lie Official HD Trailer

As much as I hate the guy. I will be watching this!

http://paper.li/XFmGirl/1310126885

Updated race calendar

Sunday 20th October - Whole hog race DONE! Awesome!!

Sunday 24th November - Southwold 10k + Gin party

Sunday 9th March Cambridge half marathon

Sunday 6th April Bungay Marathon

Sunday 14th April London Marathon trip??

Sunday 25th May London 10k

Sunday Ride London 100 2014 10th August

Vitruvian Triathlon Aug Friday 29-Sat 30-Sun 31

Legacy of a wreck.

July 8th 2012, at around 7.15 pm I was knocked of my road bike while out training for forthcoming triathlons. Over a year on and my bike has been restored to a ride worthy state. New forks, wheels, brakes, shifters, cables, bottle cages and handle bars. The bike is totally ready for action. I have even lent it to a close friend for her to use during her own first ever Triathlon. Problem is..... am I ready?

The 12th of July was a long time ago. So what's wrong?

I recently went for a psychological evaluation for part of my insurance/compensation claim. I have since received a copy of the doctor's report. It made for some very interesting reading. Some people have asked me if I "hammed it up" for the session with the doctor? I can tell you now. There is no way a reasonable person would be able to pull anything over the eyes of these trained professionals. The report was as much about my body language, eye contact and attitude, than anything else. He was very thorough in his questioning, bringing up some things from my medical records which caught me of guard. For example.

Pretty funny eh? As you can imagine. This took me by surprise BIG TIME! Apparently this was to see if I had any underlying anger management issues.... I don't.... I DON'T!!!!! ;-)

I  was also asked about my emotional state. I have always been more on the positive side. I mean I am very thankful that I didn't get seriously injured or worse. I have not had any real breakdowns. The closest i've come to "losing it" was the first time I saw this video to the Rudimental track- Waiting all night. It's opening sequence includes footage of a bike accident. The guy was a bit of a plum but no one deserves that.....

So what's wrong again? It turns out I have developed a form of Specific Phobia which is related to riding my road bike. I can ride my single speed (fixie), my hybrid and my commuter bikes, but I have issues with riding my race bike at pace. I have tried using it to ride to work, but I am still very nervous. I also seem to make excuses to avoid going riding. Too hot, too cold, looks like rain and there may be ice out. I can't pretend to understand this fully. I just know that my fear is irrational and unfounded. 

I hope to get back to it soon... tomorrow?

What David said.

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. #teamrudisha
— David Rudisha (@rudishadavid) June 16, 2013

 

Gotta love the man.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18914380

Kings of Leon at the O2 June 13th 2013

To see what I thought of the kings of Leon check the video! :-)

Could say I quite enjoyed that!!!


Thank you Abby

When I used to love you.

I have made the decision to change my focus. Over the last 4 years my goal was to get in shape to complete a full Ironman Triathlon (2.4mile swim 112mile Ride 26.2mile run). Through 2010-2012 I had competed in a few triathlons, Duathlons, running and cycling races. All with varying results and mostly fun!
During the summer of 2012 while in training for the Vitruvian Triathlon (Half distance Ironman) I was hit by a car while I was out cycling. Although thankful for being alive, I have been left scarred, scared, battered, bruised and injured.
I had initially deferred my Vitruvian Tri place to this year (2013), but i'm now realising that the lack of training rides and runs are leaving me way behind schedule to be able to compete competitively this year. I feel, if possible, I will defer again until 2014.
I have fixed up my road bike since the accident. New forks, gear mech, brakes etc. But I have not been able to enjoy riding it like I used to. The collision with the Citroen Saxo put an end to all that. I ride a single-speed bike for my daily commute to work. This is normally a steady roll to and from work. I enjoy this most of the time but I am suffering with anxiety on the roads of Ipswich. Sometimes finding myself being over cautious at EVERY junction. I am finding most cycling far too stressful

So, what now.

                                                   I run.....

I have fallen back in love with running. Barring injury, I am feeling this is where it's at for me. I have recently started Parkrun 5k races which are awesome. I feel 5k is my distance. My current PB is 22.30. Would love to get this to 19.59 before 2014 starts. I have entered the ballot for the Virgin Money London Marathon 2014. I have been unlucky in the ballot 4 years now. Surely this is my time.
The other thing is my weight. Since starting at the Greyhound my weight has gone up. Need to sort that shit out and fast. Snacking on chips and bread is my weakness. I'm currently rocking around 13st7lb. Want to get to 12st7lb by this time next year. With focus on healthier eating.

So that's it really. Going to forget about the bike training for now. Just swimming and running for health and fun. Not forgetting the gym sessions too.

I think this song sums up how I fell about Triathlon and cycling training.

Think im gonna knock #cycling #triathlon on the head. Really enjoying my running at the moment and the other stuff stresses me out.
— Brian Powlett(@Brix2tri) May 21, 2013

Guess what she told me, guess what she told me!!

I went to the doctor today. Wanted to find out whether I had done something more serious to my leg. A few weeks back, while out running I suffered a bit of an injury in my left calf area. I felt a sharp pain which led me to stop and walk home. After a bit of Physio I was able to resume light training again. I even got up to 13.1 miles in a personal best time. Then, on a subsequent run the right calf went. Exactly the same pain. Time was now against me for Brighton Marathon. I had to withdraw.
Over the past two weeks I have been doing NO running at all. Trying to give my calf muscles time to heal. Ironically, the latter, the right calf seems to have healed completely. But my left has been giving me a bit of a strange sensation deep in the core of the muscle. I was worried it was some sort of stress fracture hence the reason for visiting the doctor. Turns out, despite being impressed that I was planning on doing "The Marathon" She felt it was just a torn muscle. Which I suppose is a good thing. So, no more running for a couple of weeks but maybe some swimming and cycling should help the recovery program.

 This song pretty much sums up how I feel at the moment. I miss running.

http://www.justgiving.com/Brian-Abby-Powlett

Tattoo I have been wanting to get.

perfer et obdura; dolor hic tibi proderit olim | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Rules of cycling. Always fun to read.

The list goes on.

Velominati › The Rules