End of the Year

Well - that's it - the end of 2006 (pretty much). A pretty good year all things considered.

Finally, after many years of prevaricating, I made the "Big Leap" and jacked in the job, and kicked off (in seriousness rather than just dabbling) the process of getting into a physio course. As it stands I only have to perform to slightly under the best of my ability to cement that place. It's going to happen!

And yet somehow I feel somehow displaced - a lot of what I knew before is now behind me, and the new stuff hasn't fully kicked in yet. By the end of 2007 I'll be a happy bunny, but at the moment there's a slight sense of "in limbo". There's also a lot of nerves regarding money, and frankly my head's playing tricks on me as well! I just keep reminding myself that I can cope with all these things and I have enough savings to do this (and then some in all likelihood), and even if it does go wrong, I'm resourceful and have enough skills to be able to cope. It does feel a bit like flying by the seat of my pants, which is something I've never been that comfortable with.

I finally got to watch a video of "The Brain Hospital" about the National Hospital for Neurology and Nervous Diseases" (just round the corner from Great Ormond Street) that was on telly a few weeks back. Particularly relevant to me - a lot of you who know me know may not know that I was going there for several years myself for epilepsy, and was at one point a candidate for brain surgery (shurrit you lot!) , so it was fascinating to see someone go through it. At that time it was a newer procedure as well, so it was considered more risky than now. I could really relate to the woman (Lois) who had to decide whether the chance to stop her seizures was worth the risk. It was one deciision I was glad I never had to take.

Anyway, one guy on there (also having brain surgery) said something like "I feel like I've just climbed aboard a raft that's on an unstoppable path for some white water rapids, and I've just got to ride them until I end up in the tranquil pool on the other side". Kinda feels like where I'm at right now - riding the rapids. Have to say that the one time I've actually done rapid riding in a kayak that it's one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life - nerve jangling, but amazingly "real" and life affirming, and left me whooping as I coped with the power of the water and got through them. Must do more of it!

Anyhow - I ran a couple of days ago - 6 miles, the left leg went dead on me at some points, all sorts of aches, and I think it generally made me roll a lot. The couple of weeks off running hadn't really helped - so I'm thinking it may be more than muscular. That's something I have to get sorted in the new year - hopefully the appointment and a scan will come through quickly. I miss my training. I'm doing the Serpies NYD 10k tomorrow, but there's unlikely to be a PB! Still - my 6 mile run was done in 49 minutes, even with a buggered leg, so if I can get that sorted then it bodes well :o)

Studying's goign fine too - all getting a bit repetitive - I thought I'd found a new source of papers on the AQA website, but the syllabus is broken up differently so a lot of the questions aren't relevant. Not to worry - I'm confident the module one paper will be fine, and then I have two weeks to prepare for moduel four. I've already started. It's tougher than module one, but I can cope.

Anyway - Happy New Year to all my readers, and here's to "riding the rapids" in 2007 :oD

So That Was Christmas...

...and what have we done?

Probably not a terribly traditional Crimbo for me - saaw the folks, stuffed my face, watched a lot of telly, and did some study. The family aren't big on Xmas, so it's a fairly toned down affair. There's no kids around in the family at the moment so it tens not to be as much fun anyway. I'll be glad when life starts getting back to normal again - I've got lots I want to sort out and the sooner everywhere starts opening again the easier that's going to be!


Really missing doing Crisis - last year it was a really positive thign to do that I turned down this year as I felt I needed to study. Which I guess I do - but I'm thinking I could have fitted in some time at one of the centres - really made me feel a lot more in the festive mood.

Anyway - New Year's Resolutions - subject to amending - I'm sure I'll think of more stuff!

Lose another stone - I'm sure the weight's gone up the last few weeks so I want to get down to about 13 stone 5 which was my original target

Get fit and healthy - this knee is being a serious pain - and that needs sorting, as it's peeing me off not being able to train. It's got no better from not running, which makes me think it's an underlying issue


Get onto the physio course - well that's pretty obvious! Shouldn't be a problem, just need to keep enough focus on study when I start picking up bits of work

Ironman Austria - kinda subject to the knee I guess - at the moment it's feeling in jeopardy, but if I can bike okay then it might still survive - I can always run/walk the mara. If it's not to be then so be it. I won't be able to try again for the next few years but if the knee scuppers me then there's no point getting too down - will have to find other training to do to keep me busy!

Cut down on caffeine - I drink too much!

I'd love to set some running targets, but with the knee as it is I'd rather wait until it's sorted and then see. Guess I'll just say "maintain fitness until the knee's sorted".

Enjoy myself - it would be easy for me to get too "Into" the study, worry about money, and not enjoy myself. I've got to still get out there and socialise - it's the fun stuff in life. While I can't piss too much money away, there should still be enough to have fun!

Clean My Teeth Properly - okay - new dentist, and they have a hygenist, who told me lots of good stuff about cleaning teeth. I'll admit it, I've been lazy. Anyway - got all the fancy TePe thingees now, and floss. Would be good not to have any fillings next time (only one this time) and it actually feels rather good even if my gums are bleeding like buggery!

Whatever happens - 2007 is a big year - it's about the next stage of a lot of things I kicked off in 2006 - jacking in the job, applying for fizzio, and so on. Ironman too if that's possible.

Large Erection in My Living Room

The tree is up :oD Will get a piccie sorted for later.

I'm feeling a bit more cheery now - think getting out and mixing at the running club social did me good. COuld still do with some exercise though - going to do some stuff at the gym and see how it goes. The knee has calmed down a lot but can still sort of "snap" if I make certain moves, which tells me that something isn't right - moves that I'd normally make fluidly seem to have a "sticking point" that I have to force past.

Study's still going well, almost too well, as I'm not quite sure what to do.. I won't say I can answer every question straight off, but the ones I can't seem to be in books that are beyond the level on the A level papers that I've got!

Only bad news was that the telly finally packed up yesterday, so I had a mad trip to get a new one. I don't watch much telly but there are some things I really enjoy - and I wouldn't want to miss them, so in spite of the unplanned expense I had to get one. As long as I get the bursary for the course (it's means tested which could be a problem if it's based on savings as I've saved hard to be able to do the course - would be ironic if I could have doen it without that and been paid for!) then I should eb fine. I will be anyway, just will use up more funds. I think it's based onn household earnings anyway, so if you have a partner earning you get less or summat. Hope so anyway, then I should get the max :oD

Must have a final tidy up - still not recovered from two weeks of window mayhem!

Latest News

Been a while since I posted - partly because it's been a while since I trained! Just over a week ago I somehow managed to twang my knee in the bath! Think I had my legs crossed and pushed backwards - not too hard or anything, but my knee joint suddenly froze solid! Anyway - got anti-inflamatories and everything, but the doc thinks I may have either a bit of flapping cartilege or a "loose body" kicking around in there - possibly. Will see - it's considerably better now but there are still times (like doing a quad stretch) when it locks up again.

Uni wise - I've now got three offers of B's, one from Brunel, one from Kings and one for a sports rehab course that I really threw into the mix as a bit of a wild card. Kings and Brunel are currently the top two choices. I have a potenial interview at Southampton, but realistically given the other offers it's a bit of a non-starter. Can't see them offering me below a B so I'd be unlikely to pick them anyway. Still waiting for UEL and St George's - now that really is the big one! Hearing I had an interview for that would make my crimbo!

I've been finding it hard getting my head round how little I have to do - study is going brilliantly but without the training life all seems a bit hollow. TBH it was a bit even with the training - it was all just a bit too "me-centric" with not enough contact or interaction, doing stuff with other people, etc. So - I decided I need to get some work.

Sure enough - what happens - I go into my old job to say "Happy Crimbo" and I get offered some! Four hours, spread over three days of the week (inevitable as it's one group). Having trouble getting my head round it - what with all the travel time, extra travel costs, tax (presumably I'll lose some of my tax rebate if I do some more work) it may not work out as bringing in that much money for the hours spent, but it'll cover the mortgage or if you prefer give me enough for a few nights out - which is something I've been having to do as it feels like spending money on "luxuries" when I haven't earnt it. I haven't quite decided yet but I think I'll say yes - even though it's not going to make a huge difference financially, I think mentally it'll make me feel a whole heap better for doign it - it'll give me a bit of a purpose outside of my own plans for the next few years. Particularly if the knee does scupper IM training, I'll really be glad of it. I was getting quite excited last night at how to teach maths - which I haven't done before. I'm sure I can cope with it, but it was good to get a bit of a buzz again. Plus of course once you're "In the loop" there is a tendency for more work to be offered - so here's hoping - would make the trip more worthwhile if I could have 2.5-3 hours there instead of just 80 minutes! Wibble!

ARSE!

Just got up the nerve to ring St George's and try to ask without being a pain in the bum - apparently they haven't assessed my application yet and won't be looking at it until after Crimble - and they're not back until January 8th so I'm in for quite a wait even if they do it quickly after that.

Guess there's nowt I can do - I'm confident it's a much better application than last year when I got asked for an interview, so it should be okay, I'd just like to know!

I've also been told that some Easter revision classes are "likely", which couldbe a nice little earner, but again nothing definite. All a bit up in the air for my liking. Ah well!

Update Two

Ach bum - just been on the phone to the exam board - seemed liek a good idea to consider marking some exam papers, but it turns out that the busy period will be during Juen - which is just when I'd need to be studying! While it might be possible to squeeze the marking in after my last bio exam (likely date 19th) it does look like it might be too tight and doing it could mean jeopardising the grade I need - which obviously isn't a good idea! My feeling right now is that while it would probably come off, it could be a gamble too far!

Still doesn't get me any work to do over the summer either, which is just the time that I would be free to do it!

Big Catch Up News

University
Okay - got an interview with Southampton - scheduled for the day of the biology A level exam. Given that a lot of people applyign will be doing that exam, it seems a bit daft. They've rescheduled, but I'll have to wait another five weeks. Shame :o(. Nowt from any of the other four yet.

Training
Ran in the 1120s - got a few leg janglings, but the legs have been jangling anyway. I do wonder if there's some problem higher up the leg or something - the shoes looked great on the video. Not sure what to make of it tbh!

Did a one mile swim and some body pump - all good stuff.

Was planning on a fifty miler on the bike - sadly no company, but I had a great ride for the first thirty five or so miles before a puncture hit. I'd done one lap of the Box Hill/Banstead lap, and had headed back over Epsom Downs on the second lap, and was just short of the road up to Headley when a puncture hit. I changed the inner tube but for some reason couldn't get the tyre to inflate beyond about 40psi! By this time I was shiverign like mad and glad to get home with the aid of a lift. I'm going to look at kevlar tyres - too many rides are getting spoilt by punctures. Pleased with how my legs coped - a little heaviness the day after, but nothing too bad.

Physio Work Experience
Wednesday saw another day at the Mayday Hospital. It's not one I knew but it's a good size hospital doing all sorts of stuff - way more variety than Shirley Oaks - more like a St Helier. They had a hydrotherapy pool and a fairly decent gym

A fair bit of stuff was similar to elsewhere, and I got to talk to people who'd trained at Southampton, Brunel, George's and also Brum, which was good for comparison. I got the usual "you do know there's no jobs?" bit, and asked the "why physio?" question - which is something I need to think about more. I do know in my own head, but I need a non-rambly answer for interviews - any thoughts anyone? (email me please you medic types who know what's beign looked for). For me it's to do with a fascination in how the body works, enjoyment of working with people, and helping to make a difference - like f'rinstance the neuro rehab guys.

Highlights of the day were neuro rehab - a guy called Sam who had had a stroke a few weeks back who was now walking nearly normally. Must be fnatastic to see the progression with these people - it's a real buzz anyway just seeing them make progress on one day. Even at the lower levels when they're just startign to get function back a small gain can bring a real feeling of achievement. Vicky used a stimulator to try and get Sam's foot to dorsaflex - which was what he was havign trouble with - and I got to see just how hard it is to place the pads to do this! Sam's foot kept everting instead of dorsaflexing! Sam was still (at a guess) in his late 30s/early 40s - and it made me realise that strokes can hit at a far younger age than I knew.

We also saw some outpatients, including one woman who had back problems - and very little movement in her upper back. It was a fairly standard case, but it was interesting how she talked a lot. In many ways it made sense and she was probably trying to be helpful and do her best, but sometimes you have to concentrate on the critical stuff.

We saw a woman who'd had an op on her rotator cuff, but had had severely limited range of movement, so had had an MUA (Manipulation Under Anaesthetic), and we were doign further movement (passive) to help improve range - to great effect. Interestign though as I didn't know this sort of thing went on, and it made a change from the all too common back probs that I'd seen! Still - thinking back to SHirley Oaks, there was accupuncture used for some of that - the fizzio has many tools in his or her armoury!

Paediatrics was also great fun - Nick and Amy playing games with the children - in this case about nine and 13. I joined in the games - it was still serious work though - but you have to make using a wobble board fun and we had a great laugh. There was also a girl with Osgood-Schlatter's, where Amy used laser treatment, because the other stuff is dubious in growing peeps as it is thought to possibly damage the growth plates. There were also some fascinatign exercises for weak glutes and psoas, which I'm going to use as I think I may have that! I do love the sense of play that goes on though - it's serious stuff made more light-hearted. Again - all part of the communicating (and connecting) with people. Paeds has now been added to my list of possible specialities - although this of course may change over time. So far it's outpatients (losing favour a bit), neuro rehab (amazingly rewarding I imagine) and paeds.

Swim Bike Run

Right - the last few days!

Thursday
Spent half the day in hoping to get my double glazing fitted. They tunred up, said they had another flat in the same block to do first, but would start mine around lunchtime. Mid afternoon - they went back to get my new windows, then came back to say that they weren't ready, and they'd have to do those tomorrow (Friday). Not first thing though, about 12 noon. Sigh! Not impressed with the company. Shame really, because the windows in the other flat look great, and the fitting seemed to be done very smoothly. I had glazing envy last night :o(

Went for a swim, decided to do a mile. I think my technique has suffered a bit from working on the high elbow thing, and the triceps were aching from pump the day before. Still did a mile though, but need to work more on that technique. I did discover that I tend not to "reach" as much with my left hand, and consequently don't stabilise as well. I worked on this for a bit.

Wednesday
Body pump first thing and then a long bike ride with Greenie. We did the normal loop over Epsom Downs, through Tadworth, and then down to Headley and back via the Box Hill cafe, Chipstead, and then Banstead and past Nescot. Greenie left me at the Hombase roundabout. The bike computer was working intermittently, so I didn't have too much idea of the mileage, but got it working from here on in. I road down past Horton Country Park and down towards the Hook roundabout and back, with a little mini-loop thrown in. The main loop is about 33, and this was another 8 or 9, so 41-42 in total. Need to do a fifty in the next few days though.

Nearly made Greenie live up to her name though when I decided to "snot rocket" when she was closer behind than I realised. Just got her front wheel ;o)

Tuesday
Six mile run via Nonsuch Park, back in the kayanos. Still coughing up a lot of gunk, but managed it at an average HR of 139bpm in 56:21, which I think is a PB for a sub 140 HR. Going to try the Nirvanas again - hope the ankles don't ache too much.

The ankles thing is odd - I've noticed my ankles feeling a bit different for the past few days - I think I do need to work on the strength - for the bike as well. I've been wearing my Frees (found them during a clear up), so hopefully it'll all help.