Monthly Archives: April 2014

Time goes by… so slowly

When I was at school I was a keen sportsman. I used to participate in pretty much every sport I had the opportunity to. I enjoyed participating for fun, but I really enjoyed competition.

Out of school activities changed a lot during my time at school, as teachers reduced the amount of extra-curricular activities they supported. However, I was lucky enough to have a few years in which we had a full fixture list of Rugby, Football and Cricket matches against similar schools in the surrounding area.

During the shortest days of winter, some matches were held on Saturday mornings, but generally they took place after school. The afternoons building up to a match were the longest ever. Time passed slowly. Double geography passed at a glacial pace. Chemistry dragged like the half-life of uranium. I didn’t do patience well. I would spend the afternoon looking out of the window, excited about what was to come.

I’m not sure where you’d put my day dreams on this scale!

Over the years I haven’t got much better at patience. The bigger the occasion, the worse I tend to be.

This week has been slow!

It’s not that life is dull, but in a week’s time we should be preparing to board the ferry to take us to the continent, the first day of cycling under our belts, on our way to Amsterdam. I’m just excited!

I know it’ll be over in the blink of an eye, but it’s taking forever to arrive. Easter seems to have switched April into slow-motion and the recent cold spell has introduced a dose of suspended animation. I suspect early May will be no better.

I need to dig deep and find five days of patience… wish me luck!

Please wake me up on Tuesday morning!

The unknowns

Time for a service

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With under two weeks to go until I start the Euro City Cycle, it seemed like a sensible time to get a pre-ride check-up for myself and the bike.

I was due a check in with my GP anyway. It’s been almost 3 months since my last visit. In fact, I hadn’t seen him since I went to the Cardiologist, so it was an opportunity to get some more feedback on that. One of the potential side effects of my medication is diabetes so we had fasting blood test results to look at too.

You may feel a little prick!

It’s funny but, after everything I’ve been through, one of the things I look forward to least is giving blood. I know it doesn’t really hurt, but I don’t enjoy the anticipation of the “prick”. What a wimp! The only good news is that my veins are a bit more prominent now so the whole process is a bit less traumatic than it used to be.

My check up was unremarkable. My Blood Pressure was “perfect”. My Cholesterol levels are under control (Total = 3.2 mmol/L, LDL = 1.8 mmol/L, HDL = 1.1 mmol/L) and there are no indications of diabetes. In summary, it’s all good!

The Doc was, however, keen to remind me that I have recently experienced a cardiac episode, and I should bear this in mind when doing my various activities and challenges. I recognise he had to say it, but I don’t think I hid my excitement about the fast approaching trip very well! I guess he has to trust (or hope) his patients follow his instructions otherwise he’s fighting a losing battle. He has little to worry about as far as I’m concerned!

***

I really haven’t done very much work on my bike since I got it. Apart from a couple of puncture repairs and fitting a new saddle, I have used it, but done little to maintain it. I know I should really learn, but I also recognise my limitations. At this stage I think I would struggle in terms of knowledge, skills and perseverance. The last thing I want to do is intentionally “break” the bike and not be able to ride it.

This is about the extent of my bicycle maintenance skills!

The main objectives of the service are to tune the gears and check the brakes. The gears have become increasingly temperamental and noisy over the past couple of weeks. It’s been helpful in telling me which gear I’m in (some are particularly noisy), but I have the distinct feeling that its an indication that all is not well!

So, the bike is booked in for a service tomorrow. Hopefully it’ll come back feeling like a new machine, with the gears purring and the brakes secure.

If only it was as easy to tune ourselves up!

Ne’er cast a clout

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“Ne’er cast a clout till May be out” (Traditional saying)

I’ve been struggling to think of a pursuit that requires more items of clothing than cycling outside in the North East of Scotland during the Winter.

Over the past couple of months, preparing for a ride has been a bit of a rigmarole. A typical outing has required: cycling helmet, warm hat, snood, base layer top, short sleeved cycling jersey, long sleeved cycling jersey, wind-proof vest, jacket, underwear, cycling shorts, full length tights, winter socks, cycling shoes, shoe covers and thick winter gloves.

Yes, it was possible to get a little warm, to overheat. There was certainly a tendency to get damp from the inside during a long ride. but I would rarely describe myself as “hot”. The elements and the nagging cold were powerful enough to fight their way through. Fingers and toes would suffer most, a combination of restricted circulation and the persistent chill.

View from the top of the climb on Saturday’s ride

This week, has seen a bit of a change. An increase in temperature has seen the acceleration of Spring, new leaves are emerging, there are flowers everywhere and cyclists have emerged in abundance.

Today in particular has got everyone excited. Easter has been accompanied by a beautiful day. There isn’t a cloud to be seen.

The nice weather has resulted in people throwing caution to the wind… people have been casting clouts left, right and centre! I have to admit, I am also guilty. For today’s ride I discarded no less than 5 items of clothing.

Benachie across Loch Skene this morning

The ride itself was lovely. The sun was out, the birds were singing, lambs frolicking. I think this is what cycling was invented for. The lack of protection also made me feel somehow more connected to my surroundings, more free.

I appreciate the advice, but I say forget May, live a little, cast a clout!

Be warned! There is still snow in them there hills!

Just outside Amsterdam

Davina got me up this morning…

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Having lacked energy and enthusiasm, yesterday turned into little more than a “duvet day”. A mid-afternoon snooze set me up nicely for the evening’s golf.

Given there’s a little over three weeks until the start of the Euro City Cycle, I felt a bit guilty about not getting out on the bike. The guilt was exacerbated somewhat by stories of epic training rides and sportives in the sunny south from other Euro City Cycle participants. However, it was a good decision to take it easy, to save it for another day.

***

It seems as though Sports Relief has been a real inspiration this year. As well as raising huge amounts of cash for good causes, the feature challenges have set the bar high for those of us looking to do something remarkable ourselves. In particular, the courage and stamina that Davina McCall showed on her “Beyond Breaking Point” challenge (incidentally, when did they come up with that name?) is a real motivator as we each look to “channel our inner Davina”.

I know the feeling… but for me it usually only lasts a few hours!
Photo Credit: Alex Walker / Comic Relief / PA Wire

This morning was very similar to yesterday (bright and blustery), however, Davina’s inspiration was enough to get me out of bed and out on the bike. Cycling is much easier in a group, not least because peer pressure gets you to the start line. Today I was cycling solo.

Fortunately, the hardest thing was leaving home. Any doubts were left behind.

I’ve slowly ramped up the miles over the past few weekends. Today I took on my longest solo ride, at around 62 miles. I also took on the climbs that I last attempted during my “Introduction to climbing“. Having walked on two of them last time, I was keen to stay in the saddle this time.

The view from the top of the Suie this afternoon, the “high point” of my ride.

It was tough going, not helped by strong gusts of wind, but I managed to rattle off the hills without any particular dramas. Four and a half hours after heading out I crept up my final climb and home. The “laziness” of yesterday behind me, satisfied, and back on track for the challenge.

***

So, a big thanks to Davina! I’m sure she had a huge sense of satisfaction when she finished her challenge and counted the money, but she should also be proud of her legacy; whether people are raising money for charity, or simply looking to get themselves in shape, she has shown us the way. No excuses!

In need of re-inflation

Living life on the edge

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Don’t tell anyone, but yesterday I went on a Water Slide. Given my Heart “Condition” it was an illegal act, but one that was considered at length (well, considered at least) before I took the plunge.

I’m not sure exactly where the perceived risks lay; it certainly wasn’t too frightening nor particularly exhilarating, it didn’t require significant physical exertion, and it didn’t expose me to dramatic changes in my environment. Still, it was forbidden and I did it, and it felt good (apart from slightly battered elbows).

If the exhilaration doesn't get you, the stair might!

If the exhilaration doesn’t get you, the climb might!

Following the Heart Attack, it took me a while to get comfortable re-exposing myself to life’s risks. What I’ve discovered is that they generally fall into one of two categories:

Sudden trauma; “one off” events that don’t happen on a day to day basis. Accidents would fall into this category, events that are outside our direct control. I would also include extreme sports where the activity, situation or environment is a factor.
Steady decline; day to day behaviours that are detrimental to our wellbeing or our health. The things we do where the numbers conspire against us over time. A single occurrence is unlikely to get us, but the compound effect might.

I’ve come to believe that the second category is most dangerous. It takes no effort, no thought but is guaranteed if you’re on that path.

Of course, there’s a third category… the risk of doing nothing; opting out, becoming irrelevant, out of touch. Becoming so cautious that life loses excitement, hope.

For many years, I was in steady decline, arrested only by the Heart Attack. It kicked my behind and prompted me into action.

Now I’m back on the right course, I’m not going to throw it away by taking silly risks, but at the same time I’m going to live my life. I will think about what I’m doing, weigh up the risks, and from time to time live life on the edge!

OK, so I won’t be doing that any time soon!

Back to nature

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Monday marked the beginning of a short family break; few days of exercise and fresh air in the middle of forest in Northern England. The boys (our cats) had been captured and checked in to the Cat Hotel, happy to spend a week in the lap of luxury; heated beds, over-eating, wild parties and the kind of attention that only money can buy. We, on the other hand, were heading back to nature; five days of living off our wits, pitting ourselves against the best that the forest could throw at us. Center Parcs.

The illusive Red Squirrel

Having fought through torrential rain and heavy traffic, we eventually arrived at our destination. To celebrate, we passed it several times as we desperately searched for the nearest supermarket, in urgent need of “essentials” to sustain us for the days ahead. The first few hours followed a familiar pattern, excited children running amok and stressed adults trying to get over the journey, slowly coming to terms with the speed things are done around here. This was particularly evident in the bicycle hire queue where frustration builds and the tension is palpable. As the third “Expert” is called to help the Cycle Hire Attendant fix the uncooperative till, the same thought is written across the face of all in attendance…

“When can I start having fun?”

Freshly equipped with their personal weapons of mass destruction, the newly crowned cyclists wobble their way away from the Cycle Hire Centre. To spice things up, they quickly come into mortal combat with cars (for one day only), desperate to end their tiring journeys and start having fun too.

***

For the first time ever, I don’t feel quite so much of a fitness fraud. Our bags are bulging with sports kit, but it’s all in regular use. We’ve even brought our own bikes. For us, any wobbling will be due to ineptitude rather than lack of familiarity. We are ready! Within minutes, we start to experience nature; a mother duck leading her new-born ducklings, pheasant, wood pigeon, the promise of red squirrels (at least signs warning of the promise of red squirrels) and a baby rabbit. And then the tranquil forest was disturbed by a dreadful shock… a blood curdling scream followed by the sound of two feet landing after having jumped high into the air. Then silence. Louise’s eyes were full of terror with her discovery… the boys had left a little present inside her shoe, a small keepsake, a tiny wee mouse. Perhaps nature can be fun after all!

Epic journeys

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There are just 31 days until I start the Euro City Cycle (London to Amsterdam to Brussels, 300 miles over 4 days) and I’m entering the final stages of my preparation.

When I originally signed up for the event it really was a stretch target. No-one was in a position to tell me I would be able to do it. I was still in Cardiac Rehab. The medical professionals weren’t going to encourage me to push myself too hard, and the rest of us had no idea what I’d be capable of. I really was heading into the unknown. To be honest, it would have been considered a challenge even without the Heart Attack given my lack of physical activity.

Committing to the event was scary too. It set a hard deadline. If I hadn’t been able to do it due to medical concerns it would have said something about the impact my Heart Attack was going to have on the rest of my life. It would have been much easier for me to “wait and see”, to only to commit to something I knew I could do, but that’s not really me, and certainly not how I want to live.

***

Yesterday’s cycle served as a reminder of how far I’ve come…

Having got a solid winter’s training under my belt, primarily inside on the Turbo Trainer, I’ve been slowly building the distance outside. Yesterday saw a big jump to 80 miles! If the truth been told, it was probably too big a jump (from just under 60 miles). We weren’t really monitoring the miles, we just followed a route. It was a tough ride, but good to complete!

A few weeks ago I took on “proper” hills for the first time. My initial hilly cycle resulted in me walking for part of two of the three main inclines. I hadn’t considered that I would need to develop a strategy for hills, to learn how to cycle up them, but that’s exactly what was required. Now I’ve got to the point where I enjoy a good climb. Each one represents an honest, visible and tangible challenge, laid out right in front of me.

Over time I’ve also become less obsessed by my Heart Rate. I constantly monitor it, but I’m more relaxed. The last time I visited the Cardiologist he was comfortable with me cycling and was happy that the medication would prevent me from pushing myself too hard. It’s therefore become less of a concern for me, less of a constraint.

The drugs are working. My short term recovery is amazing. It’s a combination of the medication and my improving fitness but, after having pushed myself hard, my Heart Rate can drop off by 30 beats per minute in a couple of minutes. I feel it too. I enjoy regular breaks to eat / drink, but I don’t need long before I’m good to go again.

***

Having completed yesterday’s epic cycle I’m going to take a few days away from the Road Bike. Instead, I’ll have some fun on the Mountain Bike, a machine that has been horribly neglected over the past few months.

There are just four more Saturday outings before I head south for the Euro City Cycle itself. It’s just a milestone on my rehabilitation journey, but it’s an important one. My key goals at this point are to stay fit and healthy. Fingers crossed!