'Kneed' I say more?

For the first time in a while my training seems to be going well. I'm getting out on the bike about three times per week for about an hour at a time. Just taking it steady with a little hill work thrown in for good measure.

At the moment my knees are behaving themselves but probably not for long. Too much 'hard sport' over the years has forced them to bemoan any kind of pounding I submit them to. Know the feeling? I used to run. I loved it. I loved the rhythmic trance-like state it can put you in; sometimes I ran so well, I used to feel like I was floating along...for hours. Or maybe that was because of one too many jellybabies on a long run....?!

The highpoint of my running career was the London Marathon in 2003, which sadly also turned out to be the end of the road plus trainers for me. So much pounding had damaged the cartilage in my knees to such an extent that I should never (not could never!) run again and I was forced to go into damage limitation mode. But luckily I can still ride the bike! However, I have to be careful that I don't push gears which are too high. The problem is that I love high gears and I love to stand up on the pedals. But it ain't to be, well at least only in moderation. I'm learning to spin, spin fast. Sometimes my legs go round so fast that I can't keep up with them!! Oh, sorry - that's in my dreams.....!!!

Ice and a Slice

I thought that it was finally getting warmer and that I would be able to peel away one of my winter layers when on the bike - err, maybe not then!

The temperature sank down to -6 degrees below at the weekend! A record in Milton Keynes - well, at least as long as I can remember! Unfortunately, when the frost hits the ground it can be difficult to stay upright on the bike as I discovered. It didn't look icy, but it must have been the deadly black stuff.....I was approaching a bridge and took a tight right hand corner up onto it (probably at too much speed) when I suddenly found myself heading for the pavement. Unlucky for me, I couldn't get my feet out of my cleats quickly enough and ended up horizontal on the tarmac but still on my bike! I was more worried about whether I'd damaged my bike than myself and I was really disappointed on discovering my scuffed pedals, handlebars and QR's. It took a while to notice my ripped lycra longs, grazed thigh and bleeding elbow however, which I had sliced on a metal post as I went down!

I decided then to pay more attention to my speed, balance more over the rear wheel, not to turn the wheel or brake when I hit a patch of ice. That got me home safely! That'll teach me!

To exercise or not to exercise - that is the question

Just as we get all this fabulously sunny weather for fun cycling, guess what - I get struck down with a cold! Typical! I must be training too hard.....or I've been mixing with the wrong people! :) I'm never quite sure what to do training-wise when I get ill - lay low and get better before I get back on the wagon or train through it and keep my fingers crossed?

The jury is definitely out on this one. I've asked lots of people and it's definitely a mixed bag of opinion. Some say it depends on how you feel - if you have a head cold, go ahead and exercise, if you have a chest cold, then rest up. Some say moderate exercise speeds recovery. I guess the key lies in the word 'moderate'. But I would hazard a common sense guess that if you are really suffering, then just don't exercise! If not, then go easy with maybe some gentle stretching whilst making sure you're well hydrated and above all get the correct nutrition.

So maybe I can make the most of this nice weather.....oh no I forgot - got to finish the DIY first!