Need some advice please - injury related

saprkzz

I am in a training program building up to race this season, it will be my first. Now i have signed up to my first one which is in 5 weeks. My training was going excellent, seeing some huge improvements and feeling quite strong. On a Wednesday night, in my program I can either go to the gym for my "heavy legs" session, or replace it with a MTB ride to work the legs on steep hills in the woods.

I decided as the trails were dry to take this option. Half way into the ride my chain slipped and I went shooting forward smashing my knee on the stem. I couldnt walk without a limp yesterday, it feels slightly better today. I did a walking session in the pool last night which was recomended by a physio. But my question is: should i take time off the bike without even touching it or maybe some light spinning work to keep it active? or is there anything else i could be doing to release the pain?

I am trying to listen to my body (well my knee), but i am not sure whether i should be gently working it or resting.

So gutted as my training was going so well, MTB'S ARE NO GOOD FOR YOU!!!! :roll: :roll:

Any advice would be cool,

Thanks

GiantMike

What did the professional suggest you do? Unless I knew what the injury is I don't think I can offer any advice. If anybody else thinks they can, I'd make sure they're qualified and have seen your knee first.

saprkzz

GiantMike wrote:

What did the professional suggest you do? Unless I knew what the injury is I don't think I can offer any advice. If anybody else thinks they can, I'd make sure they're qualified and have seen your knee first.

Yeah, i suppose its a bit silly asking for advice on an injury as it couldnt be anything. At first i thought it could have been broken but the pain eased off after a couple of hours and was able to bend my leg.

I only briefly had a chat with the pyhiso. The pain has backed right off today.

imposter2.0

It's called 'bruising and swelling' - which is a normal bodily reaction to a heavy impact. Probably just needs rest. What's the point of your 'heavy legs' gym session, by the way? I've never heard of that...

saprkzz

Imposter wrote:

It's called 'bruising and swelling' - which is a normal bodily reaction to a heavy impact. Probably just needs rest. What's the point of your 'heavy legs' gym session, by the way? I've never heard of that...

Thats cool, will rest and hope, still uncomfortable, but i does feel better.

I have been working with a personal trainer at the gym over the winter, and he calls it that. Basically its a program that concentrates on the legs to aid with power and strength, differenet types of squats and lunges, high steps, hamstring and calf work etc... I come out of the gym with "heavy legs"

imposter2.0

saprkzz wrote:

I have been working with a personal trainer at the gym over the winter, and he calls it that. Basically its a program that concentrates on the legs to aid with power and strength, differenet types of squats and lunges, high steps, hamstring and calf work etc... I come out of the gym with "heavy legs"

No offence, but it sounds like your 'personal trainer' knows f-all about cycle training...

joe.90

Imposter wrote:

saprkzz wrote:

I have been working with a personal trainer at the gym over the winter, and he calls it that. Basically its a program that concentrates on the legs to aid with power and strength, differenet types of squats and lunges, high steps, hamstring and calf work etc... I come out of the gym with "heavy legs"

No offence, but it sounds like your 'personal trainer' knows f-all about cycle training...

You clearly don't if you think strength training isn't important for cycling.

imposter2.0

joe.90 wrote:

You clearly don't if you think strength training isn't important for cycling.

Go on, indulge me - how is 'strength training' important ?

danlikesbikes

saprkzz wrote:

Imposter wrote:

It's called 'bruising and swelling' - which is a normal bodily reaction to a heavy impact. Probably just needs rest. What's the point of your 'heavy legs' gym session, by the way? I've never heard of that...

Thats cool, will rest and hope, still uncomfortable, but i does feel better.

I have been working with a personal trainer at the gym over the winter, and he calls it that. Basically its a program that concentrates on the legs to aid with power and strength, differenet types of squats and lunges, high steps, hamstring and calf work etc... I come out of the gym with "heavy legs"

Nothing to much to worry about, I did something similar myself after getting knocked off in an MTB race and ended up bashing my knee on the bars. Felt like I had broken something TBH but after a day the bruise started to come out and walking was OK if a bit painful. Just need to ice it up if you want to speed up recovery, go get yourself a compression bandage if your worried about walking on it. But basically keep on exercising, if its still painful give it a day & the pain should have calmed down but be still aching. Once you are in that stage get back to your exercise and the injury will heal itself quicker.

saprkzz

Imposter wrote:

saprkzz wrote:

I have been working with a personal trainer at the gym over the winter, and he calls it that. Basically its a program that concentrates on the legs to aid with power and strength, differenet types of squats and lunges, high steps, hamstring and calf work etc... I come out of the gym with "heavy legs"

No offence, but it sounds like your 'personal trainer' knows f-all about cycle training...

It's no problem imposter, some don't "get" leg work in the gym, it has worked for me and I will stick with it

saprkzz

Danlikesbikes wrote:

saprkzz wrote:

Imposter wrote:

It's called 'bruising and swelling' - which is a normal bodily reaction to a heavy impact. Probably just needs rest. What's the point of your 'heavy legs' gym session, by the way? I've never heard of that...

Thats cool, will rest and hope, still uncomfortable, but i does feel better.

I have been working with a personal trainer at the gym over the winter, and he calls it that. Basically its a program that concentrates on the legs to aid with power and strength, differenet types of squats and lunges, high steps, hamstring and calf work etc... I come out of the gym with "heavy legs"

Nothing to much to worry about, I did something similar myself after getting knocked off in an MTB race and ended up bashing my knee on the bars. Felt like I had broken something TBH but after a day the bruise started to come out and walking was OK if a bit painful. Just need to ice it up if you want to speed up recovery, go get yourself a compression bandage if your worried about walking on it. But basically keep on exercising, if its still painful give it a day & the pain should have calmed down but be still aching. Once you are in that stage get back to your exercise and the injury will heal itself quicker.

Great advice, thanks dan!! I will do that and see how I get on

imposter2.0

saprkzz wrote:

It's no problem imposter, some don't "get" leg work in the gym, it has worked for me and I will stick with it

I'm interested to know how you think it has 'worked' for you?? Presumably as some kind of rehab for the injury?

danlikesbikes

saprkzz wrote:

Great advice, thanks dan!! I will do that and see how I get on

Mate general rule of thumb is pain is bad but aches are OK. Once your body is over the shock of the impact which normally takes a day or two you can and should get straight back on it (every pun intended)

I would though as your likely to have some bruising & possibly a bit of swelling stick to bike specific training for a few days. As you might struggle to complete leg weights work, or do them properly which just voids doing them.

Good luck with the racing though.