Lunges, squats, side lifts, glut clams and the list goes on.  These are the exercises that fill my gym sessions between twenty minute rides on the wind trainer, and daily physio appointments consisting of acupuncture, ultrasound, massage, stretching and more.  

The human body is an amazing thing, and when it has an injury to overcome this is even more apparent.  The outside of my leg has healed well, and the muscle seems to be following suit.  The cut sliced right across the ITB band which has left a lot of scar tissue, and one very tight ITB band as it tries to repair itself.  A lot my time is being spent releasing and strengthening this,so as knee problems don’t result when real training commences. 

Today, thanks to Mike Lovell, I was lucky enough to use some of the facilities at the Waikato Rugby Union.  With the guidance of my Physio Paul, we did a range of exercises on a machine called Vibra train, which helps activate and isolate specific quad and glut areas.  Then a quick stint in the plunge pools to help the muscles recover and loosen up before another round of massage and back to bike.  It sure would be nice though if other sports had these facilities on hand.    

So all going well, I’ll be pedaling on the road next week, but this is where the road back to the peloton really begins.  If things keep ticking along like the last week,  I will hopefully be reporting from the colourful and unpredictable European pro peloton sooner rather than later. 

Tim