Blogs
Sun, 11 Jul 2010
Getting my knee fixed at last!
By Ella Sadler-Andrews - Horizon Fitness Racing Team
So, finally I have had my knee operation. I went in Monday morning and came out Monday evening with a piece of my cartilage removed. My surgeon, the lovely Mr. Marshall was unsure to what he would find; I didn’t care, I just wanted the pain gone so I could get on my bike. Post–op he showed me pictures of the bucket handle cartilage tear in my right knee, very similar to my last knee operation on the left knee.
For the past few days I have been hobbling around the house slowly, getting more and more cabin feverish. The pain has died down a lot, but it is really uncomfortable and awkward to move. I still can’t weight bear, making a trip to the shops impossible. Yesterday I managed a walk with the dogs with my neighbour, but it wasn’t long until my knee gave in with incredible cramps! In fact, as I type now I can feel my leg cramping and needing elevating. Very annoying! I feel I need to do some exercise or get outside, but the weather is also crap. The fact that my knee is also the size of my house doesn’t help mobility… I currently have no kneecap.
I’ve been sleeping a lot due to thre Codeine crap I have to take, trying to cook and clean for the fam (proving difficult due to bad balance in left leg) and trying to keep sane watching the Tour and having visitors (two so far…). I cannot wait to get this over and done with, get training and fit again.
I am currently making plans to go to Australia in January for some bike racing and training, with a trip to New Zealand included. I have many friends and family who have said will put me up. It’s now a matter of sorting logistics, saving money and getting fit so I don’t get my ass kicked! I recently got offered a job from a care agency (woo…) which will help me save during the winter. Hours are flexible, and they understand my commitment to cycling. However, I’m yet to tell them my plans about Auz and NZ next year. I’m sure they’ll love me after that…
Me and my dad have also put our entries in for the Three Peaks Cyclocross race at the end of September. After seeing my dad do it last year, I thought I may as well have a crack. Maybe I’ll regret it, but I’m sure it’ll be a great day out. Well, that’s what I keep telling myself. That’s really what I am aiming for this season. I’ve missed (or will do) all the major races, and won’t be fit for track nationals in September, so cyclocross it is. First however, I have to master jumping on and off my bike without having to stop, unclip and hop off and on. Oh god I’m scaring myself.
Two weeks or so ago, I rode to the Pendle area to stay with the girls pre-Nationals. I wasn’t racing, but it felt great to be there; almost as if I was racing. Cycling is not just about racing and winning - a big part for me is the social aspect. Doing things like going to the Nationals with them, and also going down to the Stoke crit Horizon Fitness put on made the process of injury that little less painful. Despite the 3 mile run from the train station to the start of the race…
These past few months have been hard. Emotionally, seeing your team do so well around you and not being actively part of it is agonising! I am lucky though to have such an inclusive and supporting team. All I can hope is that we continue next year so I can prove my worth.
That’s all from me for now, gonna go catch the finish of the Tour. Will it be Cav?!
Au revoir, Ella
For more information about the Horizon Fitness Racing Team, visit www.onthedrops.com.