Looking back in time

In life, you get watershed moments. Those moments that live with you forever, for good reasons and bad. The data below is from a ride I had with Seeds Cycling Club in October 2010...

Dare I say it, I felt ill on that ride. It was my first time out with Seeds' Saturday group and I was almost left for dead. I couldnt keep up on the flat, I was getting dropped...badly...on the hills. Never have I hated a ride more.

However, that ride motivated me more than anything to get myself in shape. I enjoyed cycling but I never wanted to be humiliated like that again. From a ride point of view, a length of 30 miles and only 1,400ft of climbing doesnt even touch the sides these days. An average speed of 11.5mph too. Embarrassing doesnt even come close. Just goes to show how far I've come in a very short space of time.

Similarly, check out the data on the run below...

I couldnt even manage to run 5 miles in an hour. The HR data is significant. The troughs in the graph indicate I was slowing to either a stop or walking pace. Can I ever imagine myself being as unfit as that now? No chance...

Onwards and upwards!

Paulinho = Done

Welcome to WHL Paulinho.

As per the Spurs website...

"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement for the transfer of Paulinho from Corinthians after the Brazil international successfully completed his medical.

The box-to-box midfielder has enjoyed great success since joining Corinthians from Brazilian Serie B side Clube Atlético Bragantino in 2010. He has made a total of 86 league appearances, scoring 20 goals while helping the Sao Paulo-based club to the Brazilian Serie A league championship in 2011 as well as the Copa Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup a year later.

His fine performances at club level have also seen him twice named in the Serie A Team of the Year in 2011 and 2012.

The 24-year-old, capped by Brazil 17 times, helped his country to FIFA Confederations Cup success last Sunday with victory against world champions Spain and also scored the equaliser against England in the 2-2 draw at the Maracana last month."

If your name doesnt end in "inho"...you're not coming in...

Paulinho: Hands up if you hate Ars*nal...

After weeks of rumours of will he or wont he, SSN sources report that Brazillian midfielder Paulinho is having a medical in London ahead of his proposed £17m transfer to Spurs from Corinthians.

The transfer will be the first under the reinstated Sporting Director structure since Franco Baldini's appointment last month.  We are led to believe that although Daniel Levy still has his hands controlling the purse strings, his day-to-day role of runninng of the football-side of the club will now be handed to Baldini, allowing him to attend to more personal matters on the other side of the Atlantic, notably his wife's current ill health.

Anyhow, getting business done early in pre-season is a real statement of intent by Levy.  No doubt bitterly disappointed at not achieving the ultimate fouth place in the Premier League and Champions League qualification, the snippets coming out of WHL during the close season indicates Levy wants Spurs to hit the ground running this season, especially with the visit to deadly rivals Ars*nal coming so soon at the end of August.

The imminent arrival of Paulinho suggests that AVB will be looking to play a more fluid 4-3-3 system, as opposed to the 4-5-1 which was enforced by the most part last season on key injuries.

A midfield trio of Paulinho alongside the technically gifted Belgian Dembele and the Brazillian workhorse Sandro is a mouth-watering prospect.  Until Christmas and the New Year, Spurs were flying last season.  The key turning point was the serious knee ligament injury suffered by Sandro against QPR which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Parker replaced Sandro but didnt have the same telepathic understanding with Dembele and sadly lacked the class of the young Brazillian.  Dembele lost his freedom to play further up the pitch and his role in the side became a deeper, withdrawn one, although the tactical move did free up space for Bale centrally.  One only has to think back to the opening 20 minutes of Tottenham's last trip to Old Trafford when Sandro and Dembele orchestrated a first away win at OT for the first time in decades.

I think everyone would admit that midfield really wasnt the priority this pre-season.  The forward positions are.  I still believe, like many others, that Levy's faliure in January 2013 to bring in a forward was a key reason why we failed to achieve the coveted Champions League qualification.  Fingers could be pointed at the mundane performances of Adebayor, the unfortunate injuries to Defoe and Bale at key times but the front positions are definitely what Levy and Baldini should be focusing on.

Rumours persist that Barcelona's David Villa is available and talks have taken place between Levy and the Nou Camp hierarchy.  If the ITK is to be believed, a deal is done and will be announced shortly.  I'll believe it when I see it.  Although he is a quality player, although now the wrong side of 30, is he the right man to lead the line?  I'm not sure he is.  He's a goal scorer but he doesnt lead the line.  When you think of the way Barcelona play, Villa always drifted left or right, creating the space in the middle for Messi.  Can Spurs utilize Bale in the same way?  Would 4-3-3 work in the Premier League?

Can I suggest an alternative?  Its difficult.  As much as I want Spurs to progress, I also dont want to see Spurs break the bank and risk the club's long-term future.  The press has suggested the likes of Aston Villa's Benteke.  He's had one season in the Premier League and a transfer fee of £20m in being talked of.  He could be a one-season wonder but then thats the risk you take as a football club.  I really wouldnt like to be in Levy's or Baldini's shoes.

 
 

 

Rest day...knee update...and congratulations Mushy & VP

The knee feels sore today. Nowhere near as bad as it has been but sore nonetheless.

I was originally planning a 50 mile tempo ride with RW today but sensibly made the decision last night to give it a wide berth as I didnt want to further damage the knee, especially ahead of tonight (will come on to that shortly).  So its a rest day today.

Lastly, I'd like to wish one of my good mates Yatin (aka Mushy) all the best on his big day today as he finally gets wed to VP.  Such a perfect couple - without doubt the Posh & Becks of Docklands.  I will be headng to London shortly to join the celebrations :)

Knee update and Gym session

The knee feels better.  So much so I spent this morning in the Gym.

Rather than doing my usual 5km treadmill pyramid warm up, I done 2 x 2.5km pyramids.  The first starting at 10km/h, incrementing my 0.5km/h every 0.5km, making sure I stretched both legs out properly in between the first two...

So even after all that, the knee felt reasonably good.  As I type this at nearly midnight, the knee feels a little tender but there's an explanation for that.

A conversation with my cycling buddy RW suggested I ought to check the cleats on my cycling shoes.  I knew they were due for replacing so I had ordered a new set and they arrived today.  As I looked at my shoes, it was clear there was a problem with my left cleat.  The top bolt had been lost and the cleat had rotated out of its normal position.  No wonder I felt discomfort on Monday!

After taking a chunk out of my finger with the alun key, I eventually managed to change the cleats and a quick test spin of a mile was all it needed to confirm that was what caused the original injury.  The knee still felt very uncomfortable but I'm putting this down to the discomfort of the original injury rather than new damage being caused.   Looking at my position on the bike, my feet are touching more of the floor than they ever have before, which tends to suggest that either my saddle has slipped downwards or that my legs are getting longer from the cycling.  I'll need to spend some time in the upcoming days before my next ride to ensure I get the correct position then hopefully once this knee niggle settles down, I'll be riding again in complete comfort.

New cleats...with the inflicted war wound...

Oh JB JB...he's only got one knee...

...apologies for stealing Ledley King's song...

Sadly, it appears I have a knee injury

Whilst out cycling on Monday evening, I felt some discomfort in my left knee, something I've not experienced before. It had felt a little sore in recent weeks after running off road a few times but nothing as bad as this.

Voltarol gel (similar to Ibuprofen gel but contains anti-inflamatories) and Nurofen havent really touched the sides over the last 48 hours which is a concern. I was in a huge amount of discomfort yesterday during the day and had to resort to an ice pack just after lunchtime in the office. It does feel slightly better today although only good enough to walk on. Certainly wouldnt think about running on it.

I sensibly have not gone on the Wednesday night Plums run as a precaution, hopefully an extra 24 hours will see it right.

The main question is what has caused it? Having looked at the cleats on my cycling shoes, the left does seems to be more worn than the right so I've ordered a new set which I will fit tomorrow when they arrive.

Having read some articles on cycling knee injuries, it appears anterior (central) pain rather than lateral and medial (at the sides) could be down to having my saddle too low. Both Richard and Matt have mentioned this in the past so I will get the bike up on the turbo and have a look at my position once I've replaced my cleats.

Fingers crossed the knee heals quickly.

Cobham Loop (46 miles)

A decent paced, medium length ride for a Monday evening. I felt reasonably good throughout apart from some discomfort in my left knee. Feels more anterior than medical or lateral, so I'm assuming patella tendonitis which I hope will settle with some ice and some Ibuprofen. Will see how it feels in the next 24hrs.