They say you shouldn't run before you can walk...

...but what if you're not allowed to run and they say there is a Le Mans start!

As I lined up for the 4hr enduro at Bristol Bikefest last Sunday with fellow Mountain Trax team mate Tyrone and friends Anth and Matt from AQR, this dilemma was foremost on my mind. It has been recommended by the various physios I've seen in the last 11 months that to preserve the longevity of my hip joint I shouldn't do any running, so the prospect of a 1/3 mile jog up a gravelly fireroad to collect my bike at the start of the race wasn't high on my to do list.

So I walked.

AQR Race Team Manager and friend James Dymond was looking after our bikes, but the boys were long gone by the time I was even nearing my bike so James walked down to hand it over and save me some time. I was already the last person up the hill.

As much as this meant I had quite a lot of traffic to endure for the first couple of laps of the race I was enjoying myself on the bike. After waking up on the Friday morning with the beginnings of a cold and still feeling run down from racing at Erlestoke the fortnight before I wasn't sure how my head or legs would feel during the race. But the all-weather track at Ashton Court is great fun - swoopy singletrack with fun berms, sneaky rock gardens and a few short climbs thrown in for good measure.

 

Footage from Bristol Bikefest 2012 (Cycling Bristol on YouTube)

I'd been able to fit in a practise lap on Friday evening so was happy with the course and Ian Potter (AQR Coaching) had looked at my bike set up again to help with the hand pain I had suffered at Erlestoke. I was able to keep up a good pace, and for once didn't feel too slow on the climbs and was keeping my laps consistent.

Knowing I had lost a lot of time by walking the start I wasn't too fussed about where I was position-wise, just enjoyed the singletrack and the fact that it wasn't raining given the forecast! It was as I came through after my 5th (and penultimate lap) that AQR chum Kirsty let me know I was only 2 minutes away from the 3rd placed solo girl and that if I pushed I would catch up and make the podium.

Talk about lighting the touch paper!

With shouts of encouragement behind me from the AQR pit crew, I got back into the big ring and gave it everything. Within 2 miles I had gained 45 seconds on my previous lap and kept the pressure up on the next climb, finally glimpsing what I thought was my competition as I approached the main climb halfway round the course.

So I was sneaky, caught her on the climb and sat behind in the next section of singletrack, gauging how she might be feeling, how she rode the singletrack, looking for where I might have the advantage. This also gave me the chance to catch my breath after pushing hard for the first half of the lap.

The singletrack was quite pedally on that section, so when after few minutes another rider asked to pass, I followed suit and went in front, double checking she was in my category. With cycling helmet and kit on it's not always easy to be sure of a rider's gender in a race. Add in my short hair and there have been plenty of times I get asked 'can I come past, mate' during a race to then hear the surprised 'oh, sorry, you're a girl' when I say yes! But it can prove useful and sometimes I have been able to get away with a sneaky manoeuvre in this way. Not this time!

She had clocked my overtake and as we headed into the quarry section of the course she had kicked it up a gear to try and stay with me and I was pushing hard to try and get a gap through the fast, bermed singletrack whilst also trying to stay within my self-imposed 'safety and comfort limits'.

We exited the section close together onto the short sandy climb that followed. Granny ring engaged I kept it easy and concentrated on getting to the top, glancing back to see I had a small gap. As we hit the flat section at the top I got back into the big ring and did a short sprint to gain some more distance, putting a couple of riders in between before entering the last, rocky section of singletrack.

I knew she wasn't far behind but kept pushing, concentrating on smooth corners, carrying my speed and then relaxing down the rock gardens and steps in the final section. There was probably less than half a mile to go as I got to the last hill, up the field. I still had a gap - maybe 200 yards - which I knew should be enough. When I reached the flat section before the finish I took a last look back to check I still had a gap and then started sprinting, leaving nothing to chance.

Heart rate was through the roof, lungs sounded like a smoker but I'd gained a 30 second advantage, got onto the podium and was only 2 mins down on 2nd place. Much more than I'd expected given the disadvantage of the Le Mans tart. Big grins all round. It was a successful day for the Mountain Trax team with a 2nd in the 4hr Vets Solo for Tyrone and 3rd for me in the 4hr Womens Solo.

Women's 4 hr Solo      Photo: Tyrone Fletcher

Thanks to the AQR pit crew for their support and encouragement over the weekend; to Kate and Ian Potter for coaching and advice; to my sponsors Mountain Trax for their ongoing support and also to my friend Hannah who put me up in a comfy bed and fed me for two nights so I didn't have to camp!

I've been recovering this week - my cold turned unpleasant so I needed 2 days off work to recharge the batteries. Back into gentle training over the next week as it's only 3 weeks to go until the big one - 12 hour solo at Bontrager 24:12!

My 12hr solo at Bontrager is essentially on the 1 year anniversary of my accident. To honour this and how far I've come in that time, I'll be raising money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance who airlifted me to Salisbury post-accident (I'm still in the video on their home page!). Without the support of the public, they wouldn't be able to keep the helicopter in the air to help people, like me, who need to get to hospital in an emergency.

I'm aiming to raise £1917 by the end of the year - this amount is enough to keep the helicopter in the air for just 1 day. If you'd like to offer your support for this worthwhile cause, please visit my JustGiving page and give whatever you can. Thank you!

I was told I might never race again.....

....so I thought I'd better prove them wrong.

It's now been nearly 11 months since my crash and I've got another 6 months of training under my belt thanks to the expertise and support of Kate and Ian at A Quality Ride Coaching. I also had my last visit to see the surgeon at Southampton and will now be referred to the hospital closer to home for annual arthritis check-ups. Hopefully the need for a hip replacement will be further away than the surgeons originally thought.

In February I enjoyed a trip to the brand new Olympic Velodrome to watch the UCI Track World Cup. Some fantastic racing by the likes of Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish from the British team.

Back in March I met up with the rest of the 2012 Mountain Trax Race Team at the local Gorrick Spring Series for an updated team photo. Great to catch up with the team - already some great results so far this season with plenty more sure to come as the summer progresses.

Photo courtesy of Vermont Images

I took the plunge at the start of April and decided to enter a race. The 2 laps of the Masters category at the local Gorrick race seemed like a good place to start. It was tough, the climbs were hard and my lungs hurt in a way they hadn't for many months! But I finished in 2nd place and remembered what my race-face felt like and was so glad I decided to race.

Photo courtesy of Jason Robinson

Then things got busy! I spent a day at Sherwood Pines with Kate and Ian Potter - we worked on cornering, bomb-holes, looked at my bike-fit and chatted about coaching. All in all a really encouraging day that made me feel good about my riding and ready to take on the challenges I've set for myself this summer.

I'd also been asked to make 2 wedding cakes in April and May (one of my other hobbies!). One cake for my brother and his (now) wife and another for university friends. So there was a short hiatus whilst I made cakes, sugar flowers and sugar people. Luckily both went well - the cakes and the weddings!

All of a sudden May was in full swing and that meant my first enduro race for some time was lurking around the corner. I headed down to Erlestoke Twelve, run by SPAM Biking and supported by Charge Bikes and Four4th Lights, with friends from the Tunnel Hill Trolls. I was entered in the 6hr solo, starting at midday in about 28 degree heat and bright sunshine - makes a change from the norm!

Off the start line...on the tail of James Dymond from AQR! (Photo: J Robinson)

The race was tougher than I remembered endurance racing being. I got a great start and missed the traffic on the first lap, enjoying the swoopy and twisty singletrack; gritting my teeth through the climbs and drinking nearly 5 litres of energy drink during my 7 laps. The body parts that I expected to hurt - mostly my legs and lungs - didn't seem to suffer too badly. Then again, in endurance racing it's often the bits you don't expect to hurt that do! The dry conditions meant hard ground - combined with carbon-soled shoes and feet not used to endurance racing this resulted in very painful feet from the 2nd lap onwards. Throw in hands that are still toughening up and trying out my team shorts in an enduro for the first time, by lap 4 I was on an emotional roller coaster. I was close to tears several times but promised myself a change of bib shorts and some painkillers when I got back to the pits.

It was a good decision - although lap 4 was slower than the first 3 and was followed by a 7 min stop whilst I changed shorts and got some pain relief, I was able to carry on. The act of unclipping from the pedals also helped ease the burning sensation in the balls of my feet, so I did this each time it got too much to bear in the rest of the race. I managed to pick up the speed a bit for the last 3 laps and was pleased that I was able to carry on and finish the race.

I had no idea where I was positioned as I approached the last mile, although I did know I had lapped one 6 hour female rider. I exited the last piece of singletrack behind a girl who looked tired but I didn't know if she was a solo rider, or perhaps doing the 12 hour race. I still had gas left in the tank, so I pushed ahead - she didn't chase and I later found out she had been in 2nd place and I had pipped her at the post! I was more than pleased not only to have finished the race with a respectable number of laps, but also to have made it onto the podium and to receive some very nice prizes from Charge and Giro. Plenty of things to take away and think about before the next race but good to be back in the enduro saddle again.

On the podium with Jacqui Easton (Dirt Divas) (Photo courtesy of Jo Dymond)

Next up, another 6 hour race at Bristol Bikefest. Then the challenge of the year so far - 12 hour solo at Bontrager 24:12 on the year-anniversary of my crash.

Thanks as always to my sponsors Mountain Trax for their support (and for the recent carbon bling we've added to my bike!); Kate and Ian Potter for their coaching expertise and never-ending positivity; Jo Holtom for keeping me company on training sessions and sharing tent-space at Erlestoke; Sam Jones for joining training sessions and Dan Duguid for extra bike bits; the Tunnel Hill Trolls 'Pink Ladies' team (and partners) for a good weekend in the sun; and finally to the Cotic/AQR race team for letting me share their pit and offering plenty of encouragement at Erlestoke.

Into 2012: Back to singletrack

As I was washing my bike a couple of weeks ago in the rapidly fading light it occurred to me that I probably hadn't washed any bikes for nearly 6 months. Quite a change from washing at least one every weekend and sometimes another in-between! Despite being back on the bike outdoors for three months now, the weather has been so dry and mild that washing the bikes just hasn't been necessary. I've now had my first ride out in the mud and rain since the accident - a novelty that I actually enjoyed - not sure how long that will last though!

I've now been back in 'official training' with Kate from A Quick Release Coaching for nearly 3 months. Essentially starting from scratch with my fitness it has felt very much like grinding up a long fireroad climb. The top is definitely getting nearer and I'm already looking forward to the descent on the other side.

The current training load is focused on base work - lots of long rides, technical work on the turbo, trips to the swimming pool, physio and core work. For someone who has always struggled with swimming, the fact that I can now swim up to 1300m is a major achievement. I'm also still working with the physios - both thanks to the NHS and also the fabulous, just mean enough, Duncan from Midas Physiotherapy.

On Christmas Eve, I ventured out with boyfriend Dave and friends Sam and Dan for a short ride and we decided to try a bit of singletrack for the first time in many months. We rode quite a bit of the recent Gorrick Brass Monkeys racecourse at Tunnel Hill and all things considered it went pretty well. There were a couple of sections I looked at before riding and one descent that I decided to walk but mostly things felt good - and the time passes a lot quicker when you have lovely singletrack to ride!

Before New Year I met up with members of the Mountain Trax race team for a skills and social ride. We spent a bit of time working on descending and then did a short time-trial over some singletrack that I happen to know well. I wasn't fast but considering there were two steep hills in the course I could have been a lot slower. Mountain Trax racer, Ben Thomas put together some video from the day.

Mountain Trax Christmas team ride (filmed by Chris White; edited by Ben Thomas)

Last weekend we headed out with a few friends from the Tunnel Hill Trolls on a big loop round the Devil's Punchbowl. 

 

It was great to get out on more of an adventurous ride, taking in a mix of byways and bridleways including the new quiet lane where the old A3 has been ploughed up since the opening of the Hindhead Tunnel. It was amazing to see how quiet the countryside in the area is now that the A3 is taken through the hillside. I look forward to seeing it return to nature of the coming years. Reward at the end was a stop at the wonderful Seale Tea Rooms - not to be missed if you are in the area.

Cake-shaped rewards!

A lot of friends were on different rides last weekend, some off-road, some on the road. Unfortunately there were quite a few injuries, including several broken bones, trips to A&E and surgery - all very familiar territory. Get well soon to all those injured and off the bike for the time being - rest up, listen to the doctors/physios and before you know it you'll be back on the bike.

For now, I'm planning on a return to enduro racing in late spring, building up to a 12 hour solo at Bontrager 24:12 in July. After that, we'll see!

As always, thanks to family, friends and other supporters for keeping me going including the Mountain Trax Race Team, Kate & Ian Potter at AQR and Duncan at Midas Physio.

Not quite what I had planned...

Sunday 10th July and Round 4 of the Southern XC 2011 race series began like many other races this season - I had arrived in plenty of time to do my usual lengthy warm up and headed out with Mountain Trax team-mate Pete for a practice lap. Legs and head were feeling good, we were chatting about my two upcoming holidays (to Scotland and France) and discussing my recent training schedule with AQR Coaching. We'd sessioned a couple of short sections, tackled a rooty descent and were nearly back at the arena. I was following Pete down a fast grassy descent which I remembered from the preview video had a kicker partway down so I scrubbed off some speed so that I could roll the bike over the upcoming bank. Hang on, I'm in the air; the front end is going down; this isn't going to end well.

Somehow I managed to kick the bike out of the way as I went fully over the bars, landed with some force on my helmet then smacked down to earth, landing partly on my left side in a tucked, foetal position. Three things quickly ran through my mind: ugh, I'm winded - can't breathe; it's ok, I can still feel my feet; OUCH!

Very quickly I was surrounded by people who had seen me go down, checking my back and neck, making sure I was conscious. First aiders were soon on the scene trying to make me more comfortable as my stomach and back muscles had contracted protectively - hurting more than the hip I had landed on and, much to my embarrassment for causing a fuss, an ambulance was on its way. Friends who were also out on the course were soon gathered around looking after me whilst we waited for the help which came in the form of Wiltshire Air Ambulance. 

A short helicopter ride later I was in A&E at Salisbury District Hospital whilst some very good friends were rallying round to get my car and bike to the hospital and to collect my boyfriend Dave from the other race 30 miles away where I had dropped him off earlier in the day. A short time later, after being prodded and poked for a while I was sent off for X-rays. The bad news was almost as painful as the accident - a fractured finger and a fractured pelvis.

I was quickly moved up to a very pleasant ward with a view of Salisbury Cathedral where I would stay for the next 6 days with my left leg in skin traction - in other words I was attached to the bed with weights and wasn't going anywhere. CT scans on the Monday revealed that I had a fairly complex acetabular fracture which might require surgery and that recovery would be a long process with an increased likelihood of needing a hip replacement in the future thrown in for good measure. Really not what I had planned.

Unfortunately, there weren't any pelvic experts at Salisbury District, so there was a 3 day wait whilst my files were sent to Southampton General for review. By the Thursday I knew I would be moving to Southampton for surgery at the weekend - by this time I had not left the bed for 5 days, had read several books and eaten quite a few hospital meals. Luckily my fellow residents were good fun and we were keeping each other in good spirits. I had visits everyday from family and friends and was keeping in touch with many other people by email.

On Friday afternoon I was bundled up like a mummy to keep my pelvis together, moved to a stretcher and taken by ambulance to Southampton. After a very sleepless night in a geriatric ward (the only place there was a bed available!) I was shipped off to surgery on Saturday lunchtime to have my pelvis pinned and plated back together. Coming round in Recovery I thought I was back in Salisbury and that I was lying on my side!; I was however still in Southampton, on my back and numb from the waist down with an epidural drip to keep the pain at bay.

The epidural was removed on the Sunday morning - but it took 6 hours to wear off, at which point my left leg (bad side) went into muscle spasm and my right into cramp. Not good. I cried - this was my lowest point so far. Drugs made it better. 

By the Monday (day 8) I was back in CT to check my newly acquired scaffolding was holding in place and wouldn't require another surgery - good news at last, my surgeon was happy that the bones were stable despite the complexity of the fracture. I would be 'touch weight bearing' for 6 - 12 weeks on crutches - that meant I could stand on my good leg and put down the toe of my bad leg but not really put any weight through it. Tuesday: I got out of bed for the first time in 9 days - I made it as far as the chair next to my bed without fainting - that was enough. Wednesday: I got out of bed, walked with a zimmerframe out of the ward and partway down the corridor. It felt like more effort than a 12 hour race. Thursday (my 12th day in hospital): I tried crutches, learnt how to get up and down stairs and in and out of chairs, I got to go home!

Adjusting to life back at home was harder than nearly two weeks in hospital. I was tired, moving about the house was difficult with crutches, my back was hurting, every normal thing was ten times harder than normal and I was finding it difficult to sleep through the night. 

But with encouragement and support from everyone around me (especially Dave and my parents) and a touch of gritty determination, every day there was a little bit of progress. The first time I lifted my leg onto the bed without the aid of an inner tube (endless uses beyond the usual!); the first time I put my own socks and shoes on; the first time I 'walked' to the doctor's surgery rather than being pushed in a wheelchair.

I spent a lot of time over the next 3 weeks sleeping, watching biking DVDs and catching up with friends - interspersed with visits to the doctor and physio.  Four weeks after my surgery I was back in Southampton seeing my surgeon, expecting a quick check up but two x-rays later I was told to start weight-bearing!

Seeing my physio a week later I was allowed back on the turbo - finally a chance to do some aerobic exercise and one step closer to riding properly. Plus I was down to just one crutch which made getting around a lot easier and I was also back at work full time which mentally made things a lot easier.

Last week was the biggest step yet - 11 weeks after my accident, the physio gave me the green light to ride outside. After collecting my newly built up 'rehab bicycle' (my Cotic Roadrat complete with 26" wheels, cross tyres and disc brakes) from Mountain Trax I ventured outside to ride around the village where I live. Big grins all round :-D

Riding outside for the first time in 11 weeks - big grin compulsory

Nearly 3 months have passed since I crashed; my race season was over, 3 months of hard training was gone in an instant, I had to miss two holidays, have 6 weeks off work and experience a whole range of emotions and challenges along the way but I'm still going and more determined than ever. This weekend was my birthday - to celebrate I rode for over an hour on easy fireroads with friends including a few climbs. Compared with this time last year, that would seem like nothing. Compared with this time 12 weeks ago - it's everything.

I'm already working with my coach Kate on my plans for 2012 and this weekend I entered the 12 hour solo at 24:12 next July. I've got 9 months to find my race legs and coax my race-face out of the cupboard where it is cowering in the corner. As far as I'm concerned - challenge accepted!