So we’re most of the way through May and I think I can safely say I’m approaching a level of fitness I haven’t seen since 2013, and even then I weighed several kilos more, so it feels very different this time around. Faster. Certainly this is the best I’ve felt since my disc injury 2 years ago, which is very satisfying because there were times that year where I felt like my back would never be the same again.
The weekend before last I bunked off the race I was supposed to be doing in favour of a local charity ride which has a 50km and 80km loop, hilly and bursting with Cotswolds beauty. My friend and I set off early and rode both loops; 130km/1600m in 5 hours. It was so much fun, and despite a low speed crash which wrecked my hill climbing gears with 80k still to ride, I had a brilliant time.
This is why it’s so frustrating now to have niggles keeping me from riding.
I rain-checked on a recovery ride the next day because of a bout of stomach pain. Then got a stinking head cold, which blew the weekend out. Finally enjoyed a nice ride yesterday to get back on track, but this evening’s ride has been blown out by some fresh sciatica and lower back spasms. After almost 20 years of back pain I know what kind to ignore and what kind to listen to; this is nerve pain – not a big worry by any means, it will likely right itself in a day or two if the last several spasms are anything to go by. I have a scheduled appointment with my back guy next week anyway, no need to go any sooner.
There’s no real point to this post other than to vent my frustration at having several things stacking up to keep me off my bike. I just feel like my motivation is either on or off. 1 or 0. And while it’s on I want it to stay on, not get derailed by this thing then that thing then something else.
I have yet to find the switch so that I can control it myself.
-esp
