Four Weeks and Counting (Training)

I was never a Boy Scout, but I am familiar with the concept of earning achievement badges, mainly from watching 'Hey Duggie' with my youngest grandchildren. Voiced by Alexander Armstrong (Pointless), Duggie is a cartoon dog and scout leader to an unlikely troop of animal children. The more observant among us will recognise the creators worked hard on inclusivity, with one family being environmentally conscious, taking a tandem to scout meetings, and one scout who is adopted (a baby crocodile with elephant parents).

I mention this in relation to the ageing process. I am now very much in the category of a gentleman of a certain age and am discovering that ageing brings with it some uninvited guests. For example, take my knees (please take them and give me back the ones I had when I was 40). Whereas I used to bound up and down stairs two at a time, some days I now have to plant both feet firmly on the same step before tentatively reaching for the next. However rather than bemoaning the fact, I prefer to think of age related defects as awards you receive for not dying. So channel your inner Dougie as we repeat together "You have earned your sore knees badge".

With this in mind, it was with some trepidation that I set out on my first serious training ride. Rather than the usual morning stiffness and occasional twinge, my left knee had become really painful over the previous couple of weeks, so much so that climbing the stairs or simply walking to the fridge and back had become a bit of an adventure. I was relieved to discover that, although my knees may have me waddling like a duck out of water, once in the saddle I remain as graceful as a swan crossing a millpond.

As the days passed and with no sign of improvement, I decided to visit a physiotherapist. My cycle trip was less than six weeks away and it was clear that I needed help. The physio diagnosed mild to moderate osteoarthritis (in other words mild to moderate old age) together with general stiffness and recommended some stretching and muscle strengthening exercises. I have been following his advice religiously and the difference has been quite startling. After only a few days, I am now bounding up the stairs, albeit one step at a time, and managing to go for short walks without too much pain. Definitely money well spent.

Getting in sufficient training has been another matter though. I have fallen into the retirees' trap of over committing myself and finding enough free time to do some serious bike rides has been a challenge. But now with 4 weeks to go and with the knees becoming less dodgy by the day, I hope to approach my training regimen like a lazy student cramming for an imminent exam. What can possibly go wrong?Read more