SportsShoes Blog

Here’s a link to the sportive ride that I did last weekend : http://www.sportkeighley.com/?p=355

As the article says, it really was a very well put together event and one that I’m sure will attract a much bigger entry next year.

For the 88 miles I managed an average speed of 14.7MPH which put me just outside a silver medal - the story of my life…

The organisers had set the medal bands based on the average speed of the steam train that runs between Keighley and Oxenhope - to get silver you needed to average over 15MPH and to get Gold it was 20MPH!!!! As nobody got close to a Gold and only 6 riders managed a silver on the 88 mile course I think the times / speeds were a little challenging to say the least. Anyway, the organisers have agreed to change them for next year so I’ll be back to see if I can grab myself some silverware next year.

It would have been really interesting to see what  a proper rider could have done on the course - I would surprised and mighty impressed if they could have averaged 20MPH although watching the tour the other day they did over 19 in the Pyranees…

I went for the MRI scan on my foot on Wednesday and I’m now waiting for the results - should have them within 10 days.

Although it’s eased with me biking instead of running, there’s definitely still a problem as I did a bit of running yesterday morning whilst coaching a couple of juniors and I could feel it all afternoon.

 Anyway for now I’m enjoying being back on two wheels and looking forward to the 3 Peaks Cyclo Cross - entry in and accepted - sub 4 the goal!!

Hi folks - not much to report I’m afraid but just thought I’d let you know I’m still here.

The injury I picked up in May that ruled me out of the West Highland Way is still with me. This is the first real show stopper I’ve had in over 10 years of running.

I’ve now been for 3 sessions at the Leeds Carnegie Sports Physio department - which hurt! - and I’m booked in for an MRI scan tomorrow evening to try and get to the bottom of the problem.

The only positive is that I can still ride my bike. Wearing stiff soled cycling shoes means that my foot is not flexed at all when I’m riding so I never feel any pain during or after riding.

As a result I’ve been trying to get out on my bike as often as possible to at least maintain some cardio vascular fitness and leg strength.

The one benefit of all this might be that I turn up at the 3 peaks cyclo cross in September in reasonable shape and eventually manage to crack the 4 hour barrier after 7 years of trying.

I did a sportive ride at the weekend around Keighley which was absolutely fantastic - 88 miles of ups and downs around some superb countryside and despite riding along roads and through villages I’d never seen before I don’t think I was ever more than 10 miles from home - and I thought I knew the area pretty well.

I’ve also now received my Level 2 coaching badge so my efforts during last year have finally been rewarded. Despite my injury I’m still taking the quality sessions at Bingley Harriers on a Tuesday evening to try and improve my friends’ fitness and times even if I’m crocked….

I’ll report back soon with the findings of the scan. Hopefully after tomorrow I’ll have an idea of exactly what I need to do to get better and how long it’ll take.

Andy