Back on the saddle

You may have had a double blog to read as last weeks didn't post for some reason - operator error probably.  It's worth a read as there's some amazing news about my fund raising.
On Wednesday this week it was 6 weeks from the date of my operation and the first time I was allowed to start training - or at least try out some light training.  It's also 9 weeks since the Tahoe 200 and my legs were in for a shock!
I'd met with my coach and she had put together a training plan that would get me back to proper training over the next few weeks.  But it starts with small, gentle steps as I am testing my body to see how it's repaired following the surgery (it wasn't keyhole).   On Wednesday I ventured out for a 20 minute jog.  It felt strange at first but you couldn't wipe the grin off my face - I'm back.
On Thursday I repeated the run and my legs could feel the "effort" from yesterday although there really was no effort.  The pace was unacceptably slow in normal circumstances, but it's exactly what I was told to do.  Looking at my heart rate, if I'd wanted to go faster I'd have struggled and also put too much strain on my wound.
However when I woke on Friday to repeat the 20 minute jog, my legs were like planks of wood.  It was only after 6 minutes that they began to return to normality.  The rest of the day was uncomfortable but the DOMS always are.
It's been a busy week;  I've been in London, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow so I was tired when I headed home.  When I woke up this morning I had "man flu", typical.  I spent the morning feeling sorry for myself and then watched the Sir Andy Murray documentary - Resurfaced.  It covered his last couple of years and the lengths he has gone to to get back on court.  The amount of pain he's been through, the physio treatment, the gym work and the belief (and doubts) that he showed - definitely worth watching.  It made me give myself a kick up the arse as I was due to do a 30 minute turbo session and as I hadn't been on a bike for 18 months, and it was cold in the garage, I was looking for any excuse not to do it.  But Andy's struggle inspired me and I threw my leg over the bike, gingerly, and got through the session.
Races like Tahoe take their toll.  When I was standing on the start line I was in superb condition but I knew that 85 hours later I'd be a wreck and after a period of recovery I'd be starting the cycle all over again.  But with 2020's goals set, races in the diary, it's now down to following the plan and trying to stay injury free and not getting "man flu".   I'm back and look forward to seeing you on the trails - I've missed the banter.