What prompted the subject matter of this post, was an earlier thought about taking some exercise. Having pondered for a moment or two, I selected the “can’t be bothered” option! But, as I said, “it’s the thought that counts …”
On other occasions though, I am less indolent and do enjoy taking part in some sporting activity. This is another way in which I fill my newfound time.
My current sporting activities bear similarities to my pre-accident ones. Having said that, they are now somewhat changed:
First, I’ve now got a lot more time to partake. It must be stressed right now though, that taking more exercise has not improved my fitness. There are plenty of other aspects of my lifestyle to prevent that!
Secondly, the fact that I am now visually impaired, has necessitated a fair bit of adaptation. This should become more apparent as we go on.
Looking now at some of the sporty things that I do:
Pre-lockdown, I used to work out in a gym, twice a week. Many gym users deny any body building aspirations and say that their attendance is for the purpose of fitness and strength. My motivation is quite different though. All I want is a “beach body” – it’s entirely about vanity muscles. The expression that springs to mind is “ripped”! (Joke by the way - I do actually use it as a means of developing strengths that assist in other sporting pursuits (honest!))
So, what are those other pursuits?
Given that Phil v2.0 is the product of a cycling accident the first one might come as a surprise (although the above picture might constitute something of a clue!)
I still enjoy cycling, although now, on a tandem.
My pilot (front rider) and I are currently curtailed by the lockdown - social distancing on a tandem would be impossible without significant lengthening of it. Remember the Goodies? Well perhaps a three-seater, with one on the front and one on the back would do the trick. Alternatively, I could protect myself by my pilot wearing a snorkel – I must suggest it!
In pre-virus days, we went cycling at least once per week. In addition to leisure riding, we train with a triathlon club in Spring/Summer and with a cycling club in Autumn/Winter.
The above photograph was taken approximately halfway through a ride that we completed few years ago, as part of a fundraising exercise in favour of a local charity. A friend of mine says that every time he sees that picture, we look even more knackered! All I can say to that, is that I am hardly surprised. The ride was a coast to coast excursion from Whitehaven to Sunderland, which we completed in a single day – most take 2 or 3 days. Anyway, of course we started at sea level and by the pictured lunch break, we were very close to the highest classified road in the country – a fair bit of climbing in 1 morning?!
Moving on to another sport. I love to swim, both in a pool and in open water.
Unfortunately, pool swimming is a virus-related no-no, for the time being. Prior to this becoming an issue, I paid a weekly visit to my local (luckily, only a 5-minute walk away) pool, with a friend of mine. I have sufficient vision to see the black line in a lane and can accordingly swim in the right direction.
Needless to say, the same can’t be said about a lake! As a result, I can’t partake in that swimming activity without a guide swimmer. I am pleased to know a kind lady who has acted in this capacity for some time. Unfortunately, she has recently moved away, but I am sure that I will be able to find somebody else.
With my former guide, as part of the same fundraising exercise as the big tandem ride (in the same year and not on the same day!), I took part in an event involving a 2-mile swim in Lake Windermere.
Now you don’t get any pictures for swimming. I fear that the sight of me in trunks or a wetsuit might be a bit much for some readers!
My other preferred sport is running.
So put all three together and you get a triathlon, and I do indeed, like to partake in the same. Since my accident, I have joined a triathlon club (I had never been a member of 1 until after my accident) and completed 3 triathlons and a duathlon.
Anyway, back to the running; and this the only one of my sporting activities that I have been able to continue with over the last few months.
I run 3 or 4 times a week and am blessed with plenty of nearby countryside/parkland in which to undertake this. I am also a member of a running club (again something that Phil v1.0 had no time or inclination to join)
In the last few years, I have completed a couple of half marathons and a fair few 10km races. 5km is my most regular competitive distance. The reason being that it is the length of parkrun events. I have completed well over 300 of these – most being post-injury. Further I acted as race entrant advisor, to parkrun UK, on visually impaired participation.
One good thing about running (and other sports), is the stress relief and wider emotional wellbeing, that it affords. There is little time to feel bad when my mind is full of thoughts of exhaustion! There is actually another chemical based reason, but ignorance prohibits any expansion on that!
About 5 years ago, I spent 10 months in residential rehabilitation. This was an emotionally difficult time for me and running provided some much-needed relief. While there, I was able to keep sufficiently (and much more!) hydrated in the pub over the road from the rehab unit.
Stocking up on carbohydrates was also no problem - as illustrated by this sign, just down the road from said pub!
