The barriers - Cycling

All 3 of the events bring very different issues to how i train and how i compete in events so today i completed a 14 mile cycle and these are the issues i have to consider. Climate- it is raining at times with a cold wind so with thin blood by taking warfiran i feel tempertures of hot and cold in extremes so today concern is cold but if put on too many layers i find the sweat becomes cold & held in,making the cycle miserable.i have still to find a hot tempperature i cannot perform in. Start - no matter how fit i feel the 1st 10 minutes are always a struggle as device and therfore body find a consistent level, what i do find is because my heart rate will not go above 130 beats a minute i have no upper level despite feeling strong the effort just doesnt result in improved times. Distance- after cycling for 20 minutes i normally can tell if today is a good day or a write off, today felt disapointted due to time restraint only done 14miles. of all 3 discplines i find cycling the least effected by bad days. Today the cycle was good, i enjoy cycling on spin bike in gym but it just doesnt match a weekly long distance training ride so need to really review all of the above closely this winter if to achieve 26miles target as part of olympic distance

Benefits & goals

I am now 46, when diagnosed aged 40 I had just completed my 1st Olympic distance triathlon since college & taken up football refereeing so was very active. In the initial days in hospital after diagnosis "dr doom" spouted the negative but dated side of what DCM meant to me, no physical exercise, possible heart transplant, 5 years etc etc.

It is here I had my 1st piece of luck as i had never been fitter so I was able to fight the physical and initial drug side effects barriers, my work allowed me 14 weeks full sick pay & i was able to transfer to Scotland. I returned to Glasgow from Cornwall to live with my parents. A city full of excellent heart doctors & fitness opportunities.

I was in denial of what DCM & Atrial fibrillation actual meant so I continued  to train basically full time with swimming, cycling & walking most days Luckily I had the base of stamina to help me over the last 7 years.

Exercise strengthens my heart, it has a deep physiological positive impact on me, it allows me to fight off tiredness & fatigue more than my fellow DCM friends so able to lead fairly active life.

As I approach my 46th birthday something has changed, I done 2 sprint triathlons this year but training is harder, I am carrying too much weight due to the medication and so new barriers to overcome if to complete a Olympic triathlon distance next year, Maybe or hopefully it is just middle age but I will do a Olympic distance comfortably next year, that is my goal and this blog is part of helping achieve that goal.