Coming Back From Injury

By: Lisa Jennings

        Cyclists don’t like it when we can’t ride our bikes. We tend to get a little grumpy (some of us would even say a LOT grumpy). Being injured is hard on your body and your psyche. The best thing you can do when you first get injured is focus on keeping yourself happy. This is hard to do, I know! I spent 5 months injured this year and it is definitely a true test of everybody’s patience. Your body needs extra lean proteins, along with complex carbohydrates, good fats and LOTS of quality rest to repair itself. Don’t focus on losing weight if you’re injured. Dieting if best done after your body has healed, not while you are in repair mode. You also need to keep yourself from going crazy. This is an excellent time to reconnect with friends and family who don’t ride. Find other things that will fill your “cycle-therapy” role until you can ride again. The first few weeks of rest and nutrition are critical to a quicker recovery. Rent some funny movies, play games with your kids, make some extra phone calls to your mom. Once you start feeling a little better, start moving – not the injured area, but get your blood flowing, push out the toxins and build some of that much needed dopamine (the happy drug we all love and need). If you are mobile, try going for a walk some place you’ve never been. I never knew Palomar Mountain was so peaceful and beautiful until I hiked with my dog while recovering from a broken collarbone instead of suffering up the switchbacks on a bike being sideswiped by loud motorcycles. When you do start riding, be smart. Try and find a doctor who is athletically minded and understands your mind set. Pro-athletes have the best doctors who work with them every day and treat their injuries with the best recovery devices. The rest of us don’t have that luxury so finding a doctor that understands will go a long way in helping you get back quickly. Most injuries take at least 6 weeks to begin healing. We all think that’s the end of the world, but you will get through it. Take it slow working back into your fitness routine and you’ll come back faster.

-Lisa