106

Time seems to have flown by since my last update way back in Mid December, the training is really progressing nicely and I have finalised my 2012 season calendar.

It hasn’t all been smooth going though, after lots of niggling injuries through October and November and the final straw being not able to go anywhere near race power efforts on the bike I decided to do something about it and visited Anne Dickins. Anne is a physiotherapist and specialises in Sports Injury therapy and is a cyclist herself, finishing 4th in her category at the 24hr World Solo Championships in 2010. She has also been asked to work at major events, including to upcoming UCI World Cup Track event. She knows me well and has been following my injury progress, so she seemed like the perfect person to sort me out!

Anne spent a long time assessing me, both on the bike using sophisticated power meter software and off the bike and the conclusion was that I had muscle imbalances in my obliques and certain gluteal muscles which were affecting my leg muscles, causing them to be strained and cause pain. It felt great to have a diagnosis and I was given a list of exercises to perform in order to strengthen the weaker muscles and also remedial work, such a foam roller work to ease the strained muscles. I also had to get some different running shoes, Mizuno Nirvana 7‘s to suit my running gait, as neutral shoes were not working. Almost a month on and the difference is already noticeable. It will be a long road to full recovery, but the difference is already remarkable and hopefully it will be fixed in time for the Andalucia Bike race.

Now that I am able to do the training sessions that I really need I have ramped up training to include FTP and anaerobic, high-power sessions which should help in shorter duration races that I am planning during the year. The majority of the season is now planned, with just a few races to fit in. The main season goals are mixed between several type of cycling events, but the main news is that I will be racing the 2012 World Solo Championships in Canmore Canada. The entry field is packed with big names and I am really looking forward to racing against them all.

February/March – Andalucia Bike Race (MTB Stage Race)
March/April – British XC Series, Rd 1 & 2
May – British Marathon Championships
June – Dragon Ride
July – La Marmotte (Road Sportive)
July – L’Etape Act 1 & 2
July – Iron Bike
August – Trail Masters
September – 24hr World Solo Championships

There are several smaller races in my season plan and it all kicks off in less than 2 weeks with a double header race weekend, Hit the North on Feb 4th followed by the Dyfi Winter Warmer on Feb 5th.

More very exciting news is that I have been selected to join the Welsh celebrity team as part of the Sport Relief First Nation Home project and I am very proud to be representing my country. I will be advising and helping the other team members with the long cycling legs on each day of the challenge. There is a big fundraising target, so it would be great if people can donate and support our home nation (hopefully Wales!) and support the Sport Relief cause. Anyone can join in on the final leg – a 6 mile run in your home nation capital. check the Sport Relief Website out for more information.