I've not been posting as much as I have done in the past, and its not all due to the lighter evenings and supposedly better weather (where is that nice summer the forecasters hinted at?!). Life has slowed down for me due to this shoulder injury and I can feel a bit of a whinge coming on!
I keep telling myself it could have been worse - I could have broken my arm/dislocated my shoulder/severly torn muscles or ligaments or tendons or a mixture of the above. Instead it seems I've developed Capsulitis in my shoulder joint, which I now know means in my case I'm in for the long haul, so much its looking like the planned bolt clipping holiday in southern France in September is under threat!
I'm trying to keep the motivation going and hold onto some fitness, using the trubo trainer (desperate times = desperate measures!) and getting out on the fells for walks, but its tough mentally when you can't do what you want and the wet weather isn't helping! I've been investigating and trying out different sessions on the turbo, in the hope that I might be able to maintain or improve my strength and power. Its a very different ball game to what I'm used to, and I am definitely a runner not a cyclist! I struggle to get my HR anywhere near maximum on the bike (and always have) as my legs give out first due to pain. It a sick kinda way this has at least given me something to focus on, as well as my pedalling style which has never been pretty!
Meanwhile the fell shoes, mountain bike and harness all sit gathering dust...
Tuesday 28 July 2009
Wednesday 22 July 2009
Eastern Highlands and the Moray Coast
We've been away for the last week touring the Eastern Scottish Highlands and the Moray Coast in our new campervan! It was not the original first camper holiday that was planned. My shoulder injury had put paid to that escapade (a climbing trip to Wales). So we rethought the week and decided that we'd check out so new places in Scotland - almost all new to P, some new to me!
Firstly we did stay around for the Wasdale Fell race. I was supposed to be racing this, and despite knowing better I still wanted to put myself through the torture of watching a race I couldn't compete in. We also had a friend up to stay who was racing. We didn't hang around for the start but headed up from Brackenclose towards Wasdale Head and Styhead, but cut up via Piers Gill and Lingmell Col to the summit of Scafell Pike. We then walked back down the route towards Broad crag, and esk Hause. On the way we spotted the then happy and smiling face of a fellow club mate halfway round his BG round. He later succeeded in coming in in 23:52!!
We met the leading man - Rob jebb as he went through Esk Hause checkpoitn, apparently not needing any jelly babies as its to late for him by that stage! Simon Bailey and Pete Vale were a few minutes back and then runners came past us at a steady rate all the way to Styhead, including the first lady Pippa Jackson, being fed well by hubbie and our mate Dave. After watching a fair number come through Styhead, we headed down to Wasdale.
On Sunday, P and Dave went climbing on Buckbarrow while I pottered around getting the van ready and also having a go on this years torture birthday pressie: a turbo trainer. I've used these before but not in any seriousness or consistent way, and again this time I hopped on and just had a play with what I could and couldn't do! My god they make your legs hurt!! It made me realised just how little I actually try when riding!!
Sunday night we headed north, kipping near the start of the mtb trails in Pittmedden Forest near Perth. Monday, we trundled up the Fife coast, pikcing up scoff for the week, maps for areas we didn't have and then we headed to the coast at Newtonmill, to the bouldering there. P 'ticked the crag', while i sunbathed and read. Most unlike me!!
Tuesday was a big day, as we stayed up near the Spittle of Glen Muick, and set off up Lochnagar. The weatehr was forecast to be showery, and we got the full brunt of one heading up the ladder towards the summit area, but by the time we reached the top it had passed on as we stayed dry for the rest of the day. We had the summit to ourselves and pretty good views from the top. We decided to head on to Carn a' Choire Bhoidheach, and from there we headed onto Carn an Sagairt Mor, feeling distinctly like Monroe baggers!! It was them obvious that the thing we had to do was head back via the summits of Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn, getting fantastic views of the crags of Creag an Dubh Loch, that famous climbing area. we then followed the estate track back to the car park. A total of 17.5 miles for the day, and only one soaking!
Wednesday, we headed north to the coast near Elgin so P could check out the bouldering near Cummingston. dEspite the conditions being humid and with showers floating around, we had a good day avoiding any really wetting and P got a fair bit ticked. It was a lovely spot, and I felt quite content (well i had to be didn't I!) to pootle around on the boulder beach, spot P when needed and take photos.
Thursday was my birthday, as we planned a reasonable day in the Cairngorms. P had never been to the north side, so we stopped in the Aviemore area and headed up Cairngorm from the Corrie Cas car park, beating the first train of the day to the resturant. We had the summit of Cairn Gorm to ourselves, which was a novel experience. Our route took up down into Loch Avon, past the Shelter Stone (we were ticking off classic scottish rock climbing venues without actually climbing!), back out of the valley to the summit of Beinn Mheadhoin for butties, and across past Loch Etchachan to Ben Macdui (again both summits entirely to ourselves, across to Cairn Lochan, before descending the ridge between Coire an Lochan and Coire an t-Sneachda. This psed one or two issues, when I had to down climb a short chimney which tested my arm/shoulder and also when I slipped and landed on my bad arm. It hurt at the time, but no more damamge done! It certainly bought home that I was in not fir state to think about running on the fells again yet! We had managed to stay dry until then, but about 10 minutes walk for the van, the rain started and we uppe the pace back to the van and a brew without getting too wet!
Friday dawned wet and stayed pretty wet, we had a second brekkie and some retail ni therapy in Aviemore before travelling westwards towards Ballachulish. We stopped on the way and dashed up Beinn a' Chaorainn in pouring rain and strong winds, but after getting to the summit decided that this wasn't the most fun in the world, and headed down for another brew in the van! Fantastic!!
Saturday dawned just as wet so we departed south. Neither of us feel the need to walk mountains in the rain just because!! Especially as we've done many in the Glencoe area already!
Since then I've managed to put a good effort in on the turbo, with a proper structured session and a few short walks. Last night I got the go ahead from my physio to start running on the roads, maybe road riding and also swimming, but no ruff stuff and no climbing. Shame the nearest pool is over 30 mins drive away, but it did occur to me that Wastwater is nearer! mmmm....
Firstly we did stay around for the Wasdale Fell race. I was supposed to be racing this, and despite knowing better I still wanted to put myself through the torture of watching a race I couldn't compete in. We also had a friend up to stay who was racing. We didn't hang around for the start but headed up from Brackenclose towards Wasdale Head and Styhead, but cut up via Piers Gill and Lingmell Col to the summit of Scafell Pike. We then walked back down the route towards Broad crag, and esk Hause. On the way we spotted the then happy and smiling face of a fellow club mate halfway round his BG round. He later succeeded in coming in in 23:52!!
We met the leading man - Rob jebb as he went through Esk Hause checkpoitn, apparently not needing any jelly babies as its to late for him by that stage! Simon Bailey and Pete Vale were a few minutes back and then runners came past us at a steady rate all the way to Styhead, including the first lady Pippa Jackson, being fed well by hubbie and our mate Dave. After watching a fair number come through Styhead, we headed down to Wasdale.
On Sunday, P and Dave went climbing on Buckbarrow while I pottered around getting the van ready and also having a go on this years torture birthday pressie: a turbo trainer. I've used these before but not in any seriousness or consistent way, and again this time I hopped on and just had a play with what I could and couldn't do! My god they make your legs hurt!! It made me realised just how little I actually try when riding!!
Sunday night we headed north, kipping near the start of the mtb trails in Pittmedden Forest near Perth. Monday, we trundled up the Fife coast, pikcing up scoff for the week, maps for areas we didn't have and then we headed to the coast at Newtonmill, to the bouldering there. P 'ticked the crag', while i sunbathed and read. Most unlike me!!
Tuesday was a big day, as we stayed up near the Spittle of Glen Muick, and set off up Lochnagar. The weatehr was forecast to be showery, and we got the full brunt of one heading up the ladder towards the summit area, but by the time we reached the top it had passed on as we stayed dry for the rest of the day. We had the summit to ourselves and pretty good views from the top. We decided to head on to Carn a' Choire Bhoidheach, and from there we headed onto Carn an Sagairt Mor, feeling distinctly like Monroe baggers!! It was them obvious that the thing we had to do was head back via the summits of Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn, getting fantastic views of the crags of Creag an Dubh Loch, that famous climbing area. we then followed the estate track back to the car park. A total of 17.5 miles for the day, and only one soaking!
Wednesday, we headed north to the coast near Elgin so P could check out the bouldering near Cummingston. dEspite the conditions being humid and with showers floating around, we had a good day avoiding any really wetting and P got a fair bit ticked. It was a lovely spot, and I felt quite content (well i had to be didn't I!) to pootle around on the boulder beach, spot P when needed and take photos.
Thursday was my birthday, as we planned a reasonable day in the Cairngorms. P had never been to the north side, so we stopped in the Aviemore area and headed up Cairngorm from the Corrie Cas car park, beating the first train of the day to the resturant. We had the summit of Cairn Gorm to ourselves, which was a novel experience. Our route took up down into Loch Avon, past the Shelter Stone (we were ticking off classic scottish rock climbing venues without actually climbing!), back out of the valley to the summit of Beinn Mheadhoin for butties, and across past Loch Etchachan to Ben Macdui (again both summits entirely to ourselves, across to Cairn Lochan, before descending the ridge between Coire an Lochan and Coire an t-Sneachda. This psed one or two issues, when I had to down climb a short chimney which tested my arm/shoulder and also when I slipped and landed on my bad arm. It hurt at the time, but no more damamge done! It certainly bought home that I was in not fir state to think about running on the fells again yet! We had managed to stay dry until then, but about 10 minutes walk for the van, the rain started and we uppe the pace back to the van and a brew without getting too wet!
Friday dawned wet and stayed pretty wet, we had a second brekkie and some retail ni therapy in Aviemore before travelling westwards towards Ballachulish. We stopped on the way and dashed up Beinn a' Chaorainn in pouring rain and strong winds, but after getting to the summit decided that this wasn't the most fun in the world, and headed down for another brew in the van! Fantastic!!
Saturday dawned just as wet so we departed south. Neither of us feel the need to walk mountains in the rain just because!! Especially as we've done many in the Glencoe area already!
Since then I've managed to put a good effort in on the turbo, with a proper structured session and a few short walks. Last night I got the go ahead from my physio to start running on the roads, maybe road riding and also swimming, but no ruff stuff and no climbing. Shame the nearest pool is over 30 mins drive away, but it did occur to me that Wastwater is nearer! mmmm....
Friday 10 July 2009
Recovery time....
I've run out of it... Its Wasdale tomorrow and I still can't run, well not more than a few shuffling steps. Although my shoulder has improved and I have a lot more range of movement, the 'bouncing' involved in running is painful, and I am still waiting for a uninterupted nights sleep. The prognosis as it stands is that I've damaged the cartilage in my shoulder and possibly torn a muscle too. While I feel that I'm making a reasonable recovery and therefore it can't be too serious, I have been warned that the worst case scenario is surgery!
So I'm being a good girl and doing my exercises much to the amusment of my work colleagues, trying to use my arm properly and trying to not 'hold' my shoulder. And as I can't run, climb or ride I have to make do with walking. I had a short evening walk near Loweswater on Wednesday evening with work colleagues, and last night went up Whin Rigg at a fast pace. I've walked into work today and will obviously have to walk back to the car, so I make that 25 miles walked in the last 6 days. Not great.
So I'm being a good girl and doing my exercises much to the amusment of my work colleagues, trying to use my arm properly and trying to not 'hold' my shoulder. And as I can't run, climb or ride I have to make do with walking. I had a short evening walk near Loweswater on Wednesday evening with work colleagues, and last night went up Whin Rigg at a fast pace. I've walked into work today and will obviously have to walk back to the car, so I make that 25 miles walked in the last 6 days. Not great.
Friday 3 July 2009
making the best of it
Still not able to do anything 'active' but have been managing to keep the frustration at bay....just! Wednesday evening P and I went down to St Bees Head, where he bouldered and I chilled out. I was a bit worried I'd not actually make it down the path, as my balance is a bit off and then not being able to fully use both arms on the ropes could potentially make it a bit dodgy. But by taking it easy, I got down OK, and so had to get back up OK!! Was a rather hot but beautiful evening, lots of fishing boats out from Whitehaven, and what looked like lots of fish too!
Last night I went up Whin Rigg from the house, via my usual run route. It was another very hot and humid evening and part of the climb was sheltered from any breeze which meant the midges and cleggs were out! I made it a fast walk and tried to jog a couple of times but it was too painful. I think I'd be OK on flat tarmac but not on rough hilly ground. So despite feeling so much better for a sweaty bit of exercise, I'm still really worried that Wasdale is not going to be on for me. Still 8days to go....
We're off in the new van this weekend mainly just for the hell of it, now we have it. We need to buy quite a bit of stuff for it, and as I'm not in much shape for climbing or riding, we'll combine it with a couple of walks on the hills, regardless of the weather. Looking forward to another night in the van!!
Last night I went up Whin Rigg from the house, via my usual run route. It was another very hot and humid evening and part of the climb was sheltered from any breeze which meant the midges and cleggs were out! I made it a fast walk and tried to jog a couple of times but it was too painful. I think I'd be OK on flat tarmac but not on rough hilly ground. So despite feeling so much better for a sweaty bit of exercise, I'm still really worried that Wasdale is not going to be on for me. Still 8days to go....
We're off in the new van this weekend mainly just for the hell of it, now we have it. We need to buy quite a bit of stuff for it, and as I'm not in much shape for climbing or riding, we'll combine it with a couple of walks on the hills, regardless of the weather. Looking forward to another night in the van!!
Wednesday 1 July 2009
On the mend...slowly
Another day of inactivity. The arm is definitely on the mend though. I managed to eat with my right arm this morning and clean my teeth! I still haven't had a good nights sleep yet though, as it hurts much more when i'm lying down and I've woken up between 4 and 5am every day and haven't been able to get back to sleep.
Starting to get very frustrated by lack of activity. Its all the little knock on effects too... My back starts hurting after a few days of no running or cycling, my guts miss the joggling around too!! And my necks been sore - partly due to the crash itself and partly from holding my arm funnily and the sling I've been wearing.
soon....
Starting to get very frustrated by lack of activity. Its all the little knock on effects too... My back starts hurting after a few days of no running or cycling, my guts miss the joggling around too!! And my necks been sore - partly due to the crash itself and partly from holding my arm funnily and the sling I've been wearing.
soon....
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