What have i been up to? Since July 2015 I went crashing onto the Spanish tarmac in a storm in August leaving a good amount of skin and blood, ouch, but repaired myself and took part in La Ronde Picardie in September - improving my PB on that course: finishing in 138th/577 position (26th age grouper) of the 130km course. It is on the list for this year too. Then I had a long break to get over my injuries - back, calf, achilles...a seemingly endless list of ailments that I put down to wear and tear.
The Spanish crash, the fall down the stairs on the eve of the Marmotte, added to the inevitable increase in years had taken, and continues taking its toll.
I had my back pulled and twisted back into place, my achilles hammered with ultra shock therapy, my calfs stretched and massaged...and spent the winter complaining about everything from the weather to City's lack of inspiration in the PL.
Come April this year though I was ready to spend a week training with MSA Triathlon in Argèles in the South of France, in a region renowned for its strong winds, or "cloud chasers" as one of the locals informed me. The highlight or memorable point was my crashing on Day 5 - coming down the Col de la Brousse and into the town of Cerets I took a bend, probably too quickly and as i braked on seeing a woman step into the road - a classic combination of speed, bend, brakes and gravel - and i went flying with my chest straight into my bars. Result = 3 fractured and one cracked rib, broken bars (yes, literally broken in two), 2 damaged derailleurs, one broken pedal and a damaged right shifter, and the morale in shatters. I knew immediately that the ribs had gone. I flet them pop. Not a good way to end the training week. Eight weeks later i was still having difficulty moving. Now the ribs are OK but my back took such a bang that when I started training again my running had changed and so it is the knee which has suffered. So tomorrow it's back to the osteopath who will hopefully knock me back into shape. I need it !
15 minutes before the crash we were halted by a herd of goats...wonderful :)
I'm now desperately trying to get ready for the étape du tour (July 10) and the Alpe d'Huez LD Triathlon (July 28). Yes, another slog in the mountains for me this year. Don't ask me why. I want my revenge on the Alpe d'Huez i suppose - i didn't suffer enough last year on the Marmotte, obviously.
L'étape - means a return to La Joux Plane - where i fell and broke two ribs in 2014. Hoping to keep out of trouble this time round.
The triathlon Alpe d'Huez has been on my to do list for a long time. SO this year, fingers crossed, the knee will be ok for the run - 2Km swim, 115km bike (finishing with the Alpe d'Huez, and 22km run).
I am looking for fun, fun, fun this year. Times and positions have become irrelevant after my crash(es)....:)
