Cycling is a sport that is packed full of pressure. Riders
are on limited contracts and there is a bottomless list of other riders waiting
to be given the opportunity to take your place. On top of this, Teams are also
on limited contracts with sponsors so they too are feeling the pressure. As a
result, whether it be real or not, there is a perceived necessity to get
results and be in good form.
The pressure starts in the off-season as riders try to get
into shape and be ready for the start of the season. This means doing lots of
base km’s and watching everything that you eat so that your weight is where it
needs to be. The slightest interruption to a training schedule can make you
feel that you are going backwards and need to make up for it. It would not
surprise me if there is a higher rate of eating disorders amongst cyclist than
teenage school girls.
The worst thing that can happen during pre-season
preparation is an injury. Whether it be from a crash or something else, an
injury can make it feel like you have been stopped in your tracks and the
pressure rise.
Ten days before my first race of the season, I started to
feel some pain in my knee. It worsened to the point where I was unable to pedal
my bike for more than an hour. I was told it was patellofemoral pain,
essentially caused by muscle imbalances and tightness. I had to take some rest
and spend my days doing stretches and strengthening exercises.
After a week of very little riding, it felt like my
preparation had gone backwards a month. I knew I needed to train. I had a race
coming up in a few days. And it was messing with my racing schedule.
During the Dubai Tour, I suffered through each day. I tested
my form but my lack of preparation was obvious. At the end of the tour, my knee
was as sore as ever and I had to start my recovery all over again. I spend
every waking hour stretching and doing strengthening exercises and I’m overly
paranoid about any tingle or feeling in my knee.
To say I am frustrated is an understatement. After 2 ½ weeks,
I am finally back on the bike and doing some proper training. I have a LOT of
catching up to do and need to ignore the desire to do more than I am told so I
don’t end up back where I was a couple of weeks ago.
