Smashed it…

Over the last week things have changed. But who said change has to be bad – didn’t Ghandi say, “be that change you wish to see in the world?” and even Avil Lavigne stated in a song that “everything changes.”

Ok my flipped situation isn’t quite on par with Ghandi and world peace, but it does prove that different situations can still provide the same, if not better, results – just need to stay focused and I guess enjoy the ride…

Saturday 11^th April – BUCS 10TT
“Right Eloise, don’t go too hard you are only 1.75miles in. Yes even though you feel good, just keep it together. Ok maybe a bit faster… Oh wait wow roundabout, police car and yup car coming so time to slow a tad. Keep watching that car… Arr body in the middle of the roundabout, people arr… where’s that car?… OMG **** BRAKE…”

BUG: Not mine though

Before, I knew it I was sitting upright also in the middle of the roundabout just staring at the groups of people who had surrounded the other girl. There was a dull pain in my left shoulder and I couldn’t really work out why I couldn’t get myself up, so just kept sitting where I was. The pain in my shoulder was pretty persistent but to try and convince myself (and others) it was OK I kept waving it around saying “surely it is not broken, maybe sprained, as I can move it so I will be able to swim. Look I can move it, surely its not affected and do you think I can swim?” I bet the paramedic and people helping me had wished I had knocked myself out to shut me up about swimming.

But my questions were soon answered when I was not only told I had blood on my shoulder, but also when I looked at the X-ray. OK, I am no Doctor but out of instinct I guessed a bone sticking nearly vertical out of my shoulder was not ideal or natural. And yup for once my self-diagnosis was correct, I had a compound fracture of the left clavicle which needed surgery due to the position and open wound. Right I guess I can’t swim then?!

Swim arms here I come!

Sunday 12^th April – Surgery
At 2.30 I went under the knife for nearly three hours as the Surgeon (Mr D – legend!) carefully repositioned my unnaturally positioned bone and inserted a 5inch plate with 8 pins – which to be honest looks more like a bug in my shoulder than some implement that will hold my bones together. But I will be thankful for my little shoulder bug, as the night before I had been told I would be having a plate that was to be hooked over the top of my left shoulder meaning I wouldn’t be able to use my arm for 3 months… maybe my “little athlete, I like swimming” word with Mr D did work then?!

Monday 13^th – Finally home
After being handed my drugs, being given a strong word from Mr D to do nothing, passed my last tests and given my very “strenuous” physio exercise sheet I was discharged in time to get home, have something more than peas and go to bed.

So what to do now?

1. Recover. Yup pretty obvious but most important. Despite some resentment I took a week off any training (well apart from the odd squat!) as firstly to be honest I was absolutely whacked after the operation, but also if this bone doesn’t start fusing I have a lot more problems on my plate. Following Saturday’s first whopping great 30 minutes on the turbo I am now back up to an hour and can hold the handle bars – something I thought would not be possible for at least a few weeks. I have also started light core and stability work on my lower body to try and maintain form. Even though I am still not yet running or back in the pool I am truly thankful that despite the speed I was going I came out with only this one injury. So much so that after getting off the bike on Saturday I burst into tears I was so happy – but shhh! I guess over the next few days, weeks and month it will be about taking things as they come and doing as much as I can without affecting the number one goal of full recovery.

2. Stay positive. I am a great believer in everything happens for a reason and Kelly’s Clarkson’s words “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” are so true. As hey – I have come back from much worse and luckily bones heal. I am not going to lie, it does suck and boy do I wish I could be training fully and cycling back outside in the sun again, but with four weeks till my University finals this may be a blessing in disguise? (only may!). I have also not written off racing the Ironman 70.3 in Luxembourg on 20^th June with a hope of qualifying for the Worlds in August. Yes, this is going to be a challenge, but why have it easy?… and I guess I will know if my body is ready – a healed collarbone will be enough of an indicator. In the meantime it will give me a focus, goal and date to work towards – don’t want to miss all the racing fun this summer!

3. Move the goal post. If I can’t race in Luxembourg due to my collarbone being nearly as stubborn as me, that is fine – it will be what it is. But what I do know is I will race this season in good form with two working arms and that my end of season goal of racing as a Pro in Challenge Mallorca half distance event in October will be achieved. Bring it – one arm at a time…

The next few week will be interesting and I am sure sometimes I will be taking two steps forward and one step back but I will take any progress. I know that my recovery and return to form will not be possible without both Tyler and Mark being creative with training, Pete for getting me actually moving in a line again and Mike Vaughan Cycles for checking over my bike to make sure it rolls once again. I really appreciate everything.

Finally, I need and want to say a massive thank you to:
– all the people that gave me coats and looked after me on the roundabout
– the paramedics and police
– the O’Neils for coming with me to hospital and waiting with me
– Tom and Elliott for looking after my car and bike
– Nick for making me laugh before surgery on Sunday
– Tyler and Mark for putting up with my rabbles about being an idiot and racing
– Mr D (Noyes) for my successful surgery
– everyone else who made me smile with notes, gifts, texts etc.
AND finally my Mum for flying home early from her skiing holiday to be by my side as I came out of surgery Sunday – I love you.

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        Lots of Love and stay safe,

                      Elo xxx