Injury Rehab, Racing and Will there be a 2021?

 It’s been a month or so since I posted and the focus has been getting back to running and rehab to dress the long-standing hip niggle that really derailed my run training. I’ve been doing the stretch and trigger point exercises; not entirely sure these have contributed to recovery but I have gradually felt better. The last 4 weeks has seen an incremental increase in run distance and time. Today I’m aiming for a long run if 1 hour 15 at around 5:25 per k pace. All my running has been very easy. The aim is to introduce some faster running gradually - no jumping into flat out efforts. I’m hoping that the Enhanced Recovery drink is also helping my recuperation following runs. The NTC discount helps as this stuff is not cheap. But I do feel better when I take it.

I’m really enjoying this running, especially the early sessions when it feels like just me and the world alone. I had been experiencing some hip ache after running but lately that has gone too. So I’m hopeful of being in shape for the London Duathlon in April 21. The question is will there be a race! With a new lockdown, every feel so fragile again. It feels quite depressing. From a race perspective, there are no goals guaranteed. I want to trace and ride the French Alps again but who knows if that’s an option next year. These uncertainties are affecting me and I’m struggling to cope with no race or event goals. However, there is always Zwift racing. 

I’ve linked up with my old RAF Tri buddy Mark ‘Frank’ Whittle. Frank left the RAF way before me and created a coaching business - WhittleFit. He seems to be doing well but I’ve not actually met him for years. As with most contact this year, it’s all virtual. I ride in his Tuesday morning workout and yesterday completed my first Zwift race as a WhittleFit race team member. It was the London 8 course of 2 laps. This includes 2 ascents of Box Hill, which is not massive at 3k average 5%, but at full gas race effort this climb blew the field apart. I was with Frank as we hit the climb. Not sure where the spilt happened but suddenly there was  3 second gap from my group to Frank’s group. I was at my limit and just could not bridge across. It was tantalising but that is Zwift for you. I stayed with my group for the next lap, again a sufferfest up Box Hill. I finished 22 B Cat 24 seconds behind Frank. A very painful hour on the bike! But I can say it was enjoyable now I’ve finished 😃. 

So next week’s race in the series is a 35k TT. I’m going try and set my TT bike up on the Tacx Neo. The rear stays are a real tight fit and I’ve not had the TT bike on the turbo since the Direto. 

This morning I followed up the Zwift race with a run of 14k at 1:15. This was my longest run and my running through October has built well. I have a slight Achilles tweak and the hips ache a bit now but rest day tomorrow with rehab stretch and trigger point stuff. 

See you later - who am I talking to .  . . Nobody reads this any more 🤪