Catriona Morrison

Saw the Doc. on Tuesday.

Everything looking good and I have now been given to go-ahead to start using the x-trainer, start swimming and to try range of motion on the bike. Two weeks of gradual build-up in basic exercise. No intensity but at least some aerobic work. So far I’ve concentrated on swimming. With all the arm biking that I have been doing (and that I am still doing) I have a lot of upper body fatigue. In the pool I am mostly using the pull buoy and trying not to push off the wall too hard so I kind of have very dead arm syndrome! Over the weekend I will get the bike onto the turbo and see what happens. Swimming has been fine when I am in the water but I get a little knee stiffness afterwards. X - training is similar. The bad news was that I have been advised not to start running for another weeks.

To see the video of my spongy knee go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BgqWm0cjfI

If my biceps are this size after 2 weeks, what am I going to look like in another 2 weeks…….?

And tomorrow is just a day away! How exciting. Off to the surgeon is less than 48hrs. Pretty sure that I will be given the OK to swim and perhaps start doing some biking and maybe a little running. Whatever, it will be a atep up from the arm bike - see above.

Check out the pile of on-one bikes that we came across at the weekend!! Richard and I marshalled at the National Single Speed MTB champs held in Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries. These guys and gals race in style. No pre course recce, the race starts sometime close to sometime and the aid station was a beer stop! Richard and I were in charge of determining 1st, 2nd and 3rd - hard when you can’t read the race numbers and people are getting lapped after only lap one.

1) Turning on lights and closing doors.

2) TV remote control.

3) Prodding my spouse to do things.

4) Looking pathetic and getting sympathy (although only from strangers and not from family members)

Through the weekend, one week before I see the surgeon again.I’m now up to 2hrs a day in the gym. I will have an incredible upper body at this rate, or, I’ll need some shoulder physiotherapy.

Onwards…..PS It’s a good job that I don’t make a living from having pretty knees!

 

Well, it goes like this: Once upon a time in land of “Everything is Going Well” a young lady tripped into the parallel universe of “Stick a Spanner in the Works”. Her knee got sore on Sunday, she was a good patient and rested and visited the physio and iced and took all legal drugs offered but a week later it was still grumbling. So she went to see the magic sports medic, he was concerned for her and immediately sent her to the land of the “Consultant Orthapedic Surgeon”. In a whirlwind of action the consultant decided that there was an enemy to be seen to in that pesky knee. “Can you get yourself to hospital in Far Far Away Land (Glasgow) tomorrow?” he asked. Her horse and chariot (thanks Dad) drove through the night to the secret hospital castle. On Wednesday morning she was put into a deep and magical sleep where all her aches and pains were examined. The brave anaethsatist and surgeon fought  against the mean and nasty plica and femur fissure and after only 60mins of battle rescued her from their grasp.  “Do not bear weight dear lady for one week and one day, we can then make sure that these gremlins are away”.

As you can see I am plainly losing my mind . One plica removal and some rest on the fissured joint. In just over a week I will be back to see the surgeon and hopefully get the all clear for training again. In the meantime I will be making friends with the rowing machine (arms only), the arm bike and upper body weights.

http://www.eorthopod.com/public/patient_education/6520/plica_syndrome.html

 A chance to run a 5k locally in West Lothian and to help a local school build playground facilities to encourage their pupils to get more active. A win - win situation!

When: 25th May, 11am.

Where: Deans Primary School, Livingston.

Phone the school at 01506 411 208 for a registration pack

 

You can do so much when you are not training.

Today I did tax and finances, baked cakes, washed the floors, did the laundry, went grocery shopping, did some gardening, made a fetching mobile from old medals (yes, really trying hard now to stay sane), went to physio and baked some bread.

Had better dream up some tasks for tomorrow!

It never rains but it pours (usually with a gale in this part of the World too). Woke up on Monday morning after a great post-cold training week. Fighting and ready to go. Go in the pool and my knee wasn’t happy pushing off the wall or kicking. Quick modification of session (one leg push offs and no kick) and ploughed on. Came home, rollered the offending leg and started off on my four hour bike ride. Had to stop after 15min to phone a friend. Hubby Richard muttered the words that I knew I would hear: “Go home”. So, after ignoring the advice and trying to ignore the pain for another 15mins I gimped home trying to pedal with one leg! Bit like knitting needles being jabbed into the back of my knee-cap. I think the medical term is lateral anterior knee pain. Some severe platellar tracking pain. Anyway, it has been ibuprofen, ice, torture from physio Jane and complete rest (cold turkey) for the past 48hrs. Can now walk without pain and knee bending more freely. Keeping everything crossed as I have a trip to the US planned next week for a couple of races…….

On my recent trip to California I was interviewed by Competitor Radio - a radio station devoted to endurance sport which broadcasts from San Diego every Sunday night. Follow the link below to download your very own Catriona podcast!

http://www.competitorradio.com/details.php?show=217

I arrived home from California on Tuesday. I brought 2 stowaways with me.

On Wednesday morning this little critter was spotted in the hallway in the house. I think that he may have hitched a ride from San Diego. He’s now in the garden trying to fend for himself. I should have given him a sleeping bag, it’s chilly out there.

Yesterday I got the cold. I guess that I brought this bug too. I was supposed to be racing in France this weekend……grrr.

Well, a bit of a turn-up for the books. I never thought that I would report that I had a stronger swim and run than bike! The women’s field was a who’s who of the 70.3 world and it was good to be mixing it with the big girls.

Swim: A+

Consistent swimming with West Lothian’s top junior swimmers seems to have been of a major benefit to Catriona’s swimming performance. She needs to concentrate on keeping feet and should endevour to practice this over the coming weeks.

Transition: C-

Catriona appeared to have forgotten the art of the fourth discipline losing time on the long run into T1 and faffing with her wetsuit. More attention needed.

Bike: B-

Although a solid performance in effort levels Catriona’s bike appeared to be somewhat below her usual high standards. Some post-race de-briefing with coaches will be required to ensure that she regains her strong bike leg for upcoming races.

Transition: B

Having obviously learnt lessons from T1 Catriona appeared to raise her game in T2 although there is still room for improvemement.

Run: A++

Having struggled with the art of running off the bike, Catriona has worked hard all winter to improve this area of her triathlon performance and is now seeing the fruits of her labour - keep up the good work!