Sleep riding…ever tried it???
So it would seem that slowly as i edge closer to the conclusion of my season that the wheels are starting to fall off a bit in more ways than 1. It has been a few weeks since my last entry, much fun has been had but i have also noticed a fatigue that has started to creep its way into my body. I have been battling with my laptop, which has decided that it will only allow me 5 or so mins of screen time before going completely blank…although i know its still on…so please excuse any typo’s in this entry, as most of it will be written in complete darkness…
Tour of Alsance was not quite the success i had hoped for. Returning to a French 2.2 i was confident that i could finish off some stages well and would wear the captains hat for the bunch kicks with Yuri away in China…unfortunately the Gods were not smiling upon me and a crash during the tough 2nd stage saw me land on my hand and do significant enough damage that holding the bars the following day was near impossible and saw me pull to the side of the road in the feed zone, some 60km in.
Fortunately the X-rays showed no breaks but the doctor seemed to believe that there may have been a dislocation of 2 of my knuckles…which was the reason for the pain and significant swelling. So it has meant a couple of weeks of discomfort that is still continuing…
I did however recover enough to front up for our Italian 1.1 on Sat. Not that you would have noticed my presence…well maybe if you were concentrating on the back of the bunch…So this leads us to now…this week is going to be consumed with blood tests and seeing what we can blame for the slump i find myself in. I have tried ever so hard to ignore it, but after 3 weeks of needing 10hrs sleep a night and still waking with heavy eyes and no energy, it has finally got the better of me and something needs to be done. I think the final straw came when i caught myself yawning, on more than 1 occasion during the race on Sat…time to get a check up…
The more i analyse things the more i realise how much a massive step this season has been for me in terms of volume. I worked out, that despite being the only rider based in Europe for my team without previous European experience, that i have had more race days than any other rider on our roster this year…my inexperience showed at the beginning of the year, when despite consistent and long races i was still training a full pace in between…and while it didnt cost me early in the season there is no doubt that it has started to creep up on me…but i am confident with a good diagnosis that i can salvage some of the weeks that remain in my European season.
But with all that bad stuff going on with my riding, i still have reason to smile…
1. Im in Italy
2. DeLuca has finally been busted and i dont have to watch him ruin bike races for me anymore
3. Home time is approaching at a rapid rate and a well earned rest, time for future decisions and a new house all await my arrival…not to mention a 10 year school reunion where i get to share 6 years worth of a professional cycling life…a sport that i didnt even compete in when i last saw these people…
So life is good and sure to only get better…but i do have 1 request before the season ends…please just let me finish with some form…just a little…Not DeLuca or O’Bee style form 
…just Richard style form will suit…
Cheers
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Filed by Richard England at August 10th, 2009 under Richard England, Road Blog