Well, despite all my good intentions at the end of last week, the onset of a really nasty cold has left me again without any mileage so far.
I'm still not at 100% (maybe around 70% - as still absolutely full of catarrh) but today I really wanted to ride; because I want to at least try and meet that elusive weekly target. I would have really loved to have gone out and ridden but despite the blue skies, the weather was miserably cold with an extremely bitter wind. Grrr! There was just no way I could go out in that. A lot of my Twitter friends urged me to go outside and ride instead, but seriously its not that simple.
That may sound dramatic but for those that don't know what its like to have asthma it's really hard to explain. I guess most people have probably experienced coughing or a shortness of breath when they have done exercise in cold conditions. This is because in normal conditions our bodies are able to effectively warm the air entering our lungs, but when exerting ourselves we take shorter gasping breaths, which means that in the colder weather, more cold air is entering our lungs; irritating them. For an asthma sufferer these symptoms are really intensified, airways and lungs constrict which result in wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, chest pains and more significantly an inability to get adequate Oxygen.
On top of this, I am one of the many asthmatics that are susceptible to colds/flu turning into chest infections. So if my lungs became compromised it was likely that the germs I am still harbouring could migrate. I jut didn't want to risk a chest infection!
Probably sounds lame I know, but it was for both of those reasons I chose not to put my body under any extra pressure as I want to get over this cold, without it developing into something more serious. However, I still wanted to at least try and meet my 25 mile weekly target, so out came the trainer!
Yes, I know it is dull and boring and I really felt the monotony today, as I didn't have Mikey at home, to encourage me to carry on when I got bored. I only managed 5 miles before getting very bored, so I nipped onto Twitter looking for some inspiration. Sadly all I got was a tirade of "Ride outside!" This frustrated me... maybe they don't know I'm full of the lurgy, maybe they had forgotten I was asthmatic, maybe they just don't care! It wasn't the motivation I had hoped for, but one thing it did do was make me slightly annoyed enough to get back on my bike and pedal for a further 5 miles.
8 comments:
You misunderstood. i meant don't bother at all. Well done for sticking it out.
Hehehe, I know. :P Thanks Tom. :)
But there were plenty of people saying just to go out instead.
It all worked out for the best anyway, as I went on Twitter for motivation to keep riding. And it got me pedaling again! ;)
Listen to your body. The others mean well but don't comprehend the situation.
Get well soon dude. X
I always listen to what my body is telling me.....
If you feel that for you it would be wrong to go out and ride then you don't ride....
You made the right decision and well done for at least doing some 'trainer miles' anyway.
-Trevor
I'm probably one of the worst. But that is because my weakness is I don't pay enough attention to my physicall health so I will ride when I shouldn't. Part of it is that it is such an important part of keeping me mentally well.
I didn't mean to annoy you. I am impressed with anyone who can ride on a turbo. I don't have that sort of motivation.
jenn might be worth talking to. She has problems with asthma, and colds etc turning into chest infections. She probably has some tips as to how to get out all year round.
@PedallingPolarCherry & @Trevor Thanks for your encouragement. I am glad that I did listen to my body as I wouldn't have made been able to do 10 miles out in that cold weather.there.
@Trio You didn't annoy me... it was just the bombardment of everyone's "unhelpful" comments as I wanted some positive motivation. But it's no big anyway as I rode an extra 5 miles, so its all good.
PS Thanks for the Jenn tip, I'll see what she does to get her thru. :-)
Yes DEFINATELY listen to your body! I know all too well the desire to get out just a bit too early (beLIEVE me),but your health is paramount,without it,you'll be stuck like me half the time...unable to ride and suffering,LOL!
As a smoker who rides (yeah yeah,I know,but stopping's for quitters! :p ),I know the feeling you spoke of too =/
Steve
Not lame in the slightest.
There is a lot of "Testosterone-Hurling" amongst recreational athletes in all disciplines, and cycling is no different. The trick to getting the MOST out your chosen pastime is to be able to do it as regularly and consistently as Time and Life allows. Do things that you know are likely to make you unwell is the best way to sabotage that consistency and regularity, so you are wise to do what you can in the way that YOU know you can.
[steps down from Soapbox]
:o)
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