Health Woes
By Ric Stern
Ok, deep intake of breath. Probably not for the squeamish. A few weeks ago, I was at the gym. My staple there is the back squat — great for building strength in my legs, great for sorting out my osteoporosis. Anyway, I’d had two weeks off from the gym — I’d been in France (which I previously wrote about). So, I started with my easy recovery week plan to ease back into things.
I’d done a few exercises and was about to do my barbell back squats. Except someone else was using the squat rack and they were taking their time. Recovery week sessions are usually pretty quick, and honestly I was too impatient to wait. So, I picked up a dumbbell — much lighter than what I usually back squat with, and went for a goblet squat (a front loaded squat). Couple of reps in, and gotta be honest, it was really hurting my core. I mean really. But, not one to be beaten by anything, I sucked it up and carried on. Got it done, but damn did it hurt. Went home, thought nothing of it.
Next morning, and without wishing to sound too indelicate, as a plant loving, fiber munching vegetarian, I’m always right on schedule. I’d pretty much forgotten about my squats the day before. But uhhh… oh my goodness. Blood, lots of blood. Bright red blood. I’ve heard of people ignoring such things, and hey ho, I’ve had a few aches in my body that have been there for 30 or 40 years and I’ve figured if it was the big C I’d have died by now, but I looked at the blood and I rang my GP for an urgent appointment. They saw me two hours later.
They fast tracked me onto the “fast track colorectal cancer” system. If I wasn’t panicking previously, I was now. I had to give several samples to the lab, have blood tests, and then, the other weekend, a colonoscopy. If you’re not sure what that is, it’s a camera up your behind to investigate whether you have bowel cancer or some sort of inflammatory bowel disease. I spoke to a few people, and everyone said the whole thing is a bit grim. Panic ensued. And, in case anyone is wondering, it’s why there wasn’t an article from me the other week. My mind was overloaded.
The hospital team was amazing. The laxatives you have to take prior to the colonoscopy so that they have a clear view simply weren’t (amazing). I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I mainly laughed. Claire thought I was having a breakdown. The camera part was fine.
Luckily, they were able to tell me that I didn’t have cancer. However, they did discover multiple ulcers in my small intestine, which may be inflammatory bowel disease — possibly Crohn’s disease (which my sister has). My dad has colitis, so clearly my family has some expertise in dodgy bowels. I’m now waiting for the biopsy results.
What’s this got to do with coaching and training? I’m not totally sure. But, one thing that has been apparent to me in the years I’ve been coaching, is that people often reach out to me in a way not dissimilar to how they would with a therapist and when anyone has told me anything even remotely sounding anything like this, I’ve suggested they see a doctor. And, I know that this is probably embarrassing, and I guess maybe a few of you have had colonoscopies, and it’s not something you should avoid.
On the plus side, a few days of very easy riding (including the morning of my colonoscopy because why not, I’m almost at 10 years without a day off my bike) and I’m back training hard (after a gentle restart) and a very gentle restart on the weights. Consistency in training — which is the biggest key in fitness — comes when you’re healthy and taking care of yourself.
Take care, eat well, train hard and keep the rubber side down. And if you fancy helping me replenish my toilet paper supplies, you could always take a look at MAP: The Build. It’s considerably more pleasant than a colonoscopy.
Have a training question for Ric?
Ric Stern has spent decades answering riders’ training questions and has coached cyclists since 1997, from club racers to Paralympic medallists and Tour de France professionals. Cardiovascular fitness, strength training, VO2 max, race tactics, nutrition, or whatever is keeping you from a stronger season: ask away. We publish questions using your first name and last initial only.
Coach Ric Stern is the founder of CycleCoach. He holds a first-class degree in Sport Science, has published peer-reviewed research in exercise physiology, and has coached riders from track sprint through to ultra-endurance and the Tour de France.
At 57, he’s still racing himself and is fitter now than he was in his 20s.
