Close call

The season is over and it won't go down in anyone's books as a classic.  I hope it's never repeated in my lifetime.  I find myself thinking we're stuck in March in "ground hog day".  The virtual races have been my savior giving me something to focus on and a reason to push hard for at training.  I didn't realise just how enjoyable peaking for races was until there were no races to peak for.  And now we head into the autumn with the days shortening.  But there's nothing we can do about 2020 except appreciate the good times when they happen.  The work done between now and 2021 will set me up for the next season and that's what I must focus on with my coach.
Once again I had some niggles to deal with.  My foot hasn't been great following the 250km virtual race and the discomfort spread to my ankle.  My hamstring on my other leg was also playing up but I suspected that this was due to my hip alignment rather than a strain on the hammy, so I visited my amazing chiropractor Gill.  I limped into her surgery and walked out with no limp - that's the sign of a successful session.  The hammy was as expected but my ankle has a little bit of swelling and I can't say the treatment was pleasant, but the results were brilliant.  I was told to stay off hills when running, easier said than done where I live, so the following day went on a trail run which was flatter than normal.  The ankle held up and I met up with my team mates for coffee which was the highlight of the day - almost back normal!  I hope this continues as having social interaction with your team mates is a big part of training helping motivate me to greater heights.
To give my ankle a rest after yesterday I went out for a bike ride to spin my legs.  I haven't been out on the bike much and the weather conditions were wet so I was wary on the back roads which can be covered in mud or potholes.  On the way home I was coming down a long steep hill, the Ardoch Rig,  on "the bars" to get some speed on.  I'd just come round a corner to see a car stopped to let a cyclist past on the other side of the road - the road is narrow and won't take 2 cars at this point but there was no need for the car to stop.  I hit the brakes but there was no way I was stopping before the car and the other cyclist was going to be level with the car when I got there.  My front wheel started a speed wobble and I shouted WOW to alert the other cyclist to the problem.  He shouted something back to reassure me and gave me as much room as possible so I let go of the brakes and aimed for the small gap.  I flew through with little room to spare so thank you to the other cyclist - I won't print what I'd like to say to the car driver!  This all happened in a matter of seconds and could have ended so differently which was a reminder to me about cycling in the wet - it was definitely a close call.
The plan for me is to get my niggles sorted and to continue with my core strength work.  The swimming pools are going to be open at the end of the month but I think we'll wait to see how they get on with the new rules before venturing back.  In the meantime I'll continue with regular, consistent running but I won't be pushing the mileage.  Nothing to be gained from that with no races in the coming months.