THE BUCK STOPS HERE….

The last eight weeks has been quite a testing time for me. Trying to get over the concussion I sustained at the Crater cruise. When a blesbuck (or who knows) decided I was the softest target out of the thousand participants.

I started my training about more than a week ago. Not long into my rides my knee started flaming up again. I’ve been fighting with it throughout the season. During the season you can’t really sort out problematic areas in between all the racing and training.

A very good thing about my accident was being forced to rest and stay off of my bike completely for 8 weeks. It was already difficult enough forgetting small things, getting lost in your own town can’t be fun!

So any pain occurring now isn’t because my body needs rest. And now is the best time to sort out these problems. With my first event only at the end of January (Barberton), I really do have plenty of time.

I went to a see a few people about my knee, the more you know the better you can fix the problem. The only thing I knew was that it hurts when I am riding.

First I went to a Biokineticus. His opinion was that I have a muscle imbalance. Which causes the patella to be pulled side ways by the stronger muscles, the friction causes inflammation and that causes the pain. I was given a few exercises to help strengthen up the weaker muscles.

I continued riding but the pain was still there….

Next I went to see a orthopaedic surgeon, he immediately send to for a MR scan, because he understands sport being a triathlon athlete himself and knows the importance to get back into training a soon as possible. They found nothing, and agreed that I must continue with the exercise program from the Biokineticus.

At least now I know that I don’t have any bone or joint disorder.

Still during my rides the pain was there…

Next I went for a bike setup at Fritz Pienaar Cycle’s. They make use of the bike setup designed through specialized and it’s a great setup method.

They also had new innersoles designed by Specialized to support your arch. It’s incredible to see and feel the difference.

Now when I go for a ride, I can feel the pressure on my knee isn’t there anymore.

The bike setup togehter with the innersoles had made a huge difference in my cycling.I can continue training as usual while working on my weak muscle’s and continue seeing Hannes (a physical therapist). I’ve been seeing him since I’ve been back from Europe.

He understands a sport persons body and start from the start! His opinion is that it’s because of my lower back and pelvis which is out of line.

Unfortunately the process was put on hold after the accident.

So for now I can continue training comfortably. While sorting out my entire body to be 100% when my racing season starts!