I need a bit of a vent...

[classic33]

Hi ( I've no idea why this is all underscored and can't find how to stop it!) , anyway, dose up for the cold and throat. Then when you're feeling a bit better, do as much swimming as possible between shorter bike rides.
Other on line activities that spares the credit card but keep the mind occupied are draw something games, sudoku, brain training games etc, can all be quite addictive and compulsive.
Hope you're better soon.

Riddles and Puzzles on here.

 

[Cuchilo]

Jigsaw puzzles are seriously addictive . I hate the things and they sound really boring but put 1000 peices in front of me and I'm gone for days until its finished .

 

[Geoff Crowther]

Morning Vickster.
'Hope you're feeling a little better today.

 

[gavgav]

Grrr, the sun is shining, I've pretty much done my work for the day...but i can't go cycling

Firstly, I have a stinky cold brewing and have a banging headache, a sore (and irritatingly tickly) throat and other associated ails

Secondly, I have basically been told my my specialist and physio that I have been overdoing the cycling since my injury and surgery and have pi**ed off my back and knee to the extent that I am not to cycle excessively - trying to work out exactly what that is, but seems to be a level that aggravates my back and my knee

My back starts to complain after about 10-20 miles, sooner if any "hills" are involved and although my leg is broadly ok on the bike, it kicks up a stink when I stop and try to walk!

I am not doing any strengthening physio stuff now again on medical advice, just simple stretching of back and legs. If not better in 6-8 weeks, I then may well need some sort of treatment, probably a steroid jab in the first instance

I've done a couple of hundred miles in the last two weeks - which I think for me right now, would probably be termed excessive. Gentle cycling is ok, problem is I do tend to ride as fast as I can when I do ride (mostly 14mph ish), not really able just to potter along more slowly

I have also been "asked" (in pretty much no uncertain terms) not to attempt Ride 100 - I had more or less decided to pull out (also on @jefmcg 's advice) . I haven't been able to ride nearly enough (nor lose any weight ) to do 100 miles in the time allowed, so as annoying as it is, it would have been a mistake to try. Will get an automatic entry next year instead

I had started to go swimming as advised - but now I can't do that either because of the snots!

I am pretty much fed up with all of this, more so as it's not my fault

I am now having some counselling to help me deal with the trauma and consequences of the accident which does go a bit beyond the above but is part of it

It's all really frustrating and it would be great to get some pointers as to how to deal with the stress, frustration - exercise is great for stress, but not being able to is a cause right now, not a solution!

I think the uncertainty of when things will get better is also really tough to deal with - the wound on my leg alone could take another 12-18 months to heal fully

I seem to now be resorting to online shopping as something to do when not cycling, so my credit card is bearing some of the brunt which isn't ideal!

Thanks for "listening"

It's very frustrating isn't it. I sympathise on the cold issue. I haven't had a cold since last October until I came down with 1 on Tuesday and I am doing the BHF Worcestershire bike ride on Sunday. It's bloody typical. It could have happened any other week, but oh no it's this one. Still don't know if i am going to be able to do it, due to the cough.

 

[vickster]

Morning Vickster.
'Hope you're feeling a little better today.

Unfortunately not ... I've had an awful night and feel absolutely horrific! My head feels like it's going to explode Just downing the first Lemsip of the day!!

 

[Ganymede]

HI vickster

Are you at all craft-inclined? I do wood work and woodcraft but I have always been very much into knitting and other handicrafts. Knitting is brilliant for avoiding eating as it keeps your hands busy - it is even used in some places to help people give up smoking as you can't smoke and knit! But making something - cushions, curtains, a bag, one of those tidy-things to hang on the wall, a string bag with crochet or macrame, a basket etc etc (you can make baskets from paper and other inexpensive or discarded materials: http://www.instructables.com/id/Paper-Basket-Crafting/) (actually instructables.com is a fascinating site, things like making outdoor stoves from tin cans etc). You won't be able to start this sort of thing until your cold clears up but it is a brilliant way of de-stressing and you get something nice at the end of it. Or something faintly risible and then you can start again! There are also lots of courses at this time of year - I made a really good wicker basket on a 2-day weekend course.

I agree with Cuchillo about jigsaws too - you think "oh god really? pointless!" but actually it is completely addictive once you start and you really look forward to finishing them. I used them to get through understudying in the West End, which unless you go on (which I was lucky enough to do quite a lot) is absolutely soul-destroying, especially on a beautiful May afternoon with the sun shining and you're not allowed to leave the building.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you choose - I have a shoulder injury myself at the moment which is restricting me in all sorts of ways (and I'm actually a bit worried as I've just got a part which involves sword-fighting, so have to shape up!) - so I know a little bit how you feel.

 

[fossyant]

Time to learn how to fix and fettle a bike. I've used 'down time' to do the same. When off from my last op, last autumn, I revamped my MTB. I ordered new frame transfers as the old ones were getting tatty, and ordered a new chainset.

I would say a 100 is pushing it. I can't do club runs yet. Tried it twice this year and ended up in serious pain the day later. If you are cycling, take the strain off your knees and keep the speed/miles down.

 

[vickster]

I'm really not creative, crafty nor mechanically minded and it doesn't really interest me (I don't think the lack of interest is a symptom, I really never have been). I really have zero interest in learning how to work on bikes, I hate fiddly things and get incredibly frustrated, which adds to my stress!!

I am really not one for games either, get bored quickly (about 15 minutes of candy crush or similar is my limit, and I dread Christmas Monopoly!!)

I think the frustrating thing with the injuries various and probably for many, I generally feel ok on the bike for a reasonable while, up to an hour say, but it is obviously doing me no good afterwards

 

[jarlrmai]

I had to have 4 - 5 months off the bike recently I got a really persistent virus last year which kept coming back and have slowly built back up to the point where I'm going on a club run tonight and doing a Sportive on Sunday. It was frustrating as hell, I found walking helped me get out and about when I was building back up again.

Good luck mate.

 

[winjim]

Have you tried heavy drinking?

 

[jefmcg]

Not that she seems to need this advice, but I don't think electronic games are a good idea. Hunched over a keyboard, controller or phone could create all sorts of skeleto-muscular problems.

Maybe she needs one of these?

 

[vickster]

Have you tried heavy drinking?

Not good for the waistline and was the cause of the first incident in this year's run of bad luck

 

[Katherine]

Have you ever tried Pilates? I think it's the best thing since sliced bread! A physiotherapist recommended it after I had a bad whiplash injury. The benefits of a stronger core, stronger back and improved flexibility have been amazing. I think it should be on the NHS! Also joining a friendly class and seeing the same people every week has been a nice social boost too.

Notice the lack of any underlining! Don't know what I pressed on my Hudle last time. I was looking at the smilies so I'll leave them out.

 

[vickster]

Well my physio and surgeon will be pleased as I still feel like death and can barely countenance getting on a bike to go to the shops let alone ride far enough to damage anything!

Off to GP tomorrow as I am pretty sure how have some sort of evil throat infection . Equally evil receptionist wouldn't give me an appointment on Friday and said to call if no better on Monday as colds can take 10 days to go.

Bah! I have at least had a decent nights sleep unlike the rest of the week!

 

[Katherine]

Keep resting .