Today…

This isn’t about training, nor science, not the future this small post is about Today…

I received an email from a very influential person in my life… I don’t normally get into the email ‘FW’ quoting business but today I absolutely could not let this one go… further to that I thought this quote was pretty wonderfiul and well worth sharing with everyone…

“May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”

‘Slow Food for Fast People’ – a new partner full of goodness!

I received my first care package of Brookfarm products yesterday evening.. Timely as I’ve just finished a tough training block and my body is screaming for tender loving care!

I became hooked on Brookfarm through my regular Cibo cafe visits in Adelaide and now am proud to have partnered with this warm and welcoming fast growing Aussie gourmet organic food co from Byron Bay.

As an elite athlete I treasure my body… what I put into essentially nourishes hard working muscles and ultimately leads to improved performance. Fuel for performance and sustenance for recovery are two key elements of nutrition that make a Pivotal impact on being able to prepare the fittest and strongest body for competition.

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rehab no more…

Five weeks today since my crash and I can happily say that I’ve been thriving with a good little routine here in Sydneytown happily knuckling down and re building strength and maintaining endurance while the fracture healing takes place.

I am walking limp free, riding, squatting, leg pressing etc and the x-ray looks great…

I want to say a big thanks to all the wonderful support from ATS Altitude, Smith & Nephew EXOGEN bone healing system, COMPEX, Endura for the important nutrition supplements and NSWIS for the training facilities.

Now its decision time… how to play out the rest of my season!

a little box of rehab tricks

Accelerated bone healing AND halting muscle loss are two keys to successful rehab from a fracture…

I know (from a previous life on the other side of the fence) it’s both an art and a science to be able to have lower limb fracture and come out the other side with the minimum possible impact on muscle strength, endurance and ultimately power loss on the pedals.

You may have guessed I enjoy keeping up with the latest and greatest in sports medicine.. to keep one or two fingers on the pulse is not a bad thing… usually in hope that I don’t need to self apply the concepts… however

During the past week in the phase of bone healing, off bike and gradually increasing weight bearing post fracture, I have been working with two new products which can make the ultimate difference in returning to full performance in reduced time and in better shape!

Exogen Ultrasound Bone Healing System and Compex Muscle Stimulator

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cracking rock bottom

that’s what it felt like.. physically and mentally

I hit the deck in the final stage of 10 at the GiroDonne and knew i had done damage with the impact that I had endured direct onto my right side. When I was unable to get up from the ground and had immediate pain in my hip and pelvis I was not confident in how positive the events would be to follow. The immediate x-rays in the local Italian hospital immediately showed a longitudinal non displaced fracture in the right Ilium (Pelivs). I was and am devastated.

The Italian economy showed its true colours with a hospital ill equipped – no towels, no shower, no phone and even no bottled water! I was determined to work ‘full gas’ to get myself out of there. Thankfully with my persistence and ‘anything is possible’ attitude I was on a plane to Aus 24h later (equipped with wheelchair transfers and a business class seat!)

Efficiency being the name of the game when it comes to rehab.. I arranged an appointment en route from the airport to see some of the best Docs and surgeons in the business here in Sydney advanced efficiency saw an MRI happen within the same consult to rule out any further damage.

So.. I left comfortable with the instructions to begin partially weight bearing, with half a smile and with all the answers and with a plan for the next two weeks until a repeat x-ray. Too early to know the complete ‘back to race’ prognosis. Of course wishing I was still in Europe racing and continuing my rise in form but I’m not.. I am playing the cards I’ve been dealt which are a hell of a lot better than many other people in the cycling world this year.

Among all the rehab protocol, dos and donts there is one thing that will make the ultimate difference.. accepting the present moment, being with family and great friends and having the opportunity to reciprocate their love support and care. and embracing each opportunity to spend with those wonderful people in my life.

(sisterly love)