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Just a vent and looking for sympathy

So I'm relatively new to the forum, go easy.

My sport of choice is road running (10k, half marathon etc) but early last year I bought a decent MTB (Trek Fuel EX6) as my closest friends had bikes, and I fancied being part of something us blokes could to do together (neither can run and keep up). So we had a few hacks round Cannock, then spent a week in June in Chatel in the Alps, having a midlife crisis and trying not to kill ourselves on the downhills.

After realising that I was not fit on a bike, I convinced the other half to buy me a road bike for my Birthday in December, and I've been hooked since. So much so that 3 or 4 weeks ago I blew my bonus on a Focus Izalko Carbon so I could enjoy the summer. (been on it once as weather has been crap).

I'm still on top of my running, but trying to up my training for the Leicester Half in September, and the Notts Half in October. I went out on Sunday to do a route I've not done for while, and I've ended up rolling my ankle and breaking it. Doctors think I may have ligament damage too, but I'll know more on Friday when I see a specialist.

So I've an expensive bike that's been ridden 16 miles in total, I'm out of both races I was training for, I've got a temp cast on pending a consultation Friday, I'm off work 'cause I can't drive and am thoroughly p*ssed off! I've been told I need to prepare myself for the worst and that I may not be able to run / cycle 'till new year.

Any suggestions how I can occupy my time / stay fit?

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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10 comments

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cube64 | 9 years ago
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Simply get smacked up on ibuprofen 100mg

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trek-buyer | 9 years ago
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Just thought I'd post an update. Been to hospital today and the cast is off. Docs very happy with my progress, and there's no sign of any lasting ligament damage. The ankle is weak and stiff (as is always the case with immobile joints in plaster) so I've some exercises to do. Whilst I was off I bought a turbo trainer, and in a couple of days I'll be able to start riding. Very low gear, no resistance, just purely to help get movement in the ankle. Running or impact exercise is off the table for another 4 weeks, but I am feeling much more positive than I did 3 weeks ago.

Only downer is I'm back to work Monday  40

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trek-buyer | 9 years ago
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Thanks for the replies all.

My comment regarding the weather wasn't phrased very well, of course we've had a great summer, the bad weather was between me buying my new bike late August and me sustaining my injury, meaning I only got out on it once.

Suggestions for keeping fit and occupied have been taken on board, though swimming is out at the moment as I have a (bright green!) cast on for at least another 2 weeks.

Physio is definitely on the cards, and from reading around on the various forums, I'm likely to be back on the bikes before I'm up running  20 , though the clips will need replacing with flat peddles until such time as I have strength enough in the ankle to cope.

Thanks again

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Simon E | 9 years ago
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Sh*t happens to everyone. The difference is how you deal with it.

For rehab you should 1) find a good physio and 2) for staying fit you can't beat swimming.

Crap weather this year? You are joking, aren't you. After the stormy winter it's been a particularly dry spring and summer.

Don't bother buying magazines, they are just advertorial. Borrow some books from the library - some cycling, non-sport biographies and some fiction, maybe a Rouleur subscription? And check ebay or Amazon for s/h then pass them on.

http://road.cc/content/forum/90211-good-cycling-books
http://road.cc/content/forum/85060-great-cycling-books

Reading broadens the mind.

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Binky | 9 years ago
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I'm sure your OH is more than willing to do some 'Extreme' wheel chair pushing around the 'Follow the Dog' and 'Monkey' trails, just to make you happy  3

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CXR94Di2 | 9 years ago
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Try insanity for the all over work out:)

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Comrade | 9 years ago
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Get a big bag of cheesy wotsits and some por......oops wrong thread!

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thesaladdays | 9 years ago
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Get into the history and catch up on old cycling films, this one of the 1973 Giro is a particular favourite, keeps me motivated as well if I can't ride ride for some reason.  4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUIr9LG1juw

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notfastenough | 9 years ago
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I can understand why you're venting off! In the meantime you could try weight-training - notwithstanding exercises that involve ankles obviously - plus most people switching to road riding, regardless of their level of fitness, find their core strength and/or flexibility lacking, so you could try working on those so that you're good to go once the ankle is sorted.

If I'm off the bike I also spend time working out new routes to load onto the garmin, but you may not have this kit yet.

Oh, and find some new entertainment while you're bumming around at home. If you've got a fancy TV package trawl through on-demand and get into 24 or the Walking Dead or something!

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glynr36 | 9 years ago
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Not much you can do with a bad ankle.
They should be able to tell you some stuff to do and keep the strength up with it.
Swimming is more likely to be what they suggest I'd think.

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