PAIN MANAGEMENT FOR CROSS RACERS

This is "not"... the Pain Management definition for Cyclocross Races...  This is for normal people....

Pain Management for a Normal Person
 
1.  Pain management for Normal People -  (also called pain medicine or algiatry) is a branch of medicine employing an interdisciplinary approach for easing the suffering and improving the quality of life of those living with pain.

2.  The typical pain management team includes medical practitioners, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists. 

3.  Pain sometimes resolves promptly once the underlying trauma or pathology has healed, and is treated by one practitioner, with drugs such as analgesics and (occasionally) anxiolytics. Effective management of long term pain, however, frequently requires the coordinated efforts of the management team.


<sup>Sooooooooo......  The Cross Season has arrived and with it... the resurrection of our old friend pain.  


Yeah... you know, that gnarly, mangy, raggedy flea infested thing that sinks it's claws into your back the second the whistle blows ... and doesn't get off,  until well after that coppery taste... deep in your lungs has been washed away with a few cold beers.</sup>

     









<sup>Say hello to your new best friend for the season... UGH!!! 


What... you thought you were the only one who experienced that coppery taste????  Hey... when you race hard enough... you swear you're gonna cough up blood any second, but don't worry.  You'll throw up way before you cough up blood... so quit being such a baby!

So... what's the point of this blog anyhow???? 

Well... funny that you ask!!!

I've been doing this ridiculous sport for way longer than I would care to admit and even after all these years, I still forget how freaking painful it is, at the beginning of the season.

I swear... last week, during the second lap of a race... as the lactic acid is dripping out of my ears, all of a sudden... I heard a little voice begin to drone MY pre-recorded "I'm quitting cross" retirement speech through my head.  WTF!!!!!  I almost pulled over and slapped myself silly...  We all have our demons.  It's easy to quit when you hurt... it's harder to keep fighting...

It does basically boil down to Pain Management...</sup>

Pain Management for a Cross Racer


<sup>1.  The way we treat our particular ailment...  Ummmm... may not be defined as "reasonable" at least when compared to the "normal person". 


Actually... it's the polar opposite to what any "normal"...  aka "sane"  individual would advise... which would be "stop" immediately and sit your ass in a chair!!! 

Nope... Cross racer pain management treatment is simple...
Train harder, race faster, stop your freaking whining and close that gap!!! 

This is what helps to improve our quality of life!!!





















Thank you sir.... can I have another please!!!!


2.  Our Pain Management Team is made up of our friends, family, teammates, coaches, pets and anyone else who will listen to us whine, cry, and swear our way through the season.</sup>

<sup>I am here for you... really... don't you see me in my cheerleader outfit for Godsakes! 


3.  Pain resolution.... in Cyclocross is called... end of season.  

As a true cyclocross racer... I would say that not a single one of us are rushing for pain resolution.

We love this sport, which means in a weird way we learn to love the pain... It's part of what defines the sport and makes it... what it is.  If you talk to any Cross racer... that's one of the first thing they'll say... is how freaking hard it is and how much it hurts.

As the season goes on,  we get use to it and learn to tolerate it and over time... welcome it's presence.

None of us as cross racers are looking for Pain resolution.... 

We are OK with the pain, we are just looking to manage it... not eradicate it.  That's why it's called "Pain Management".</sup>


 

Have fun out there

Ride Safe!!

Talk with you soon

The Peanut Gallery 

  









 







 





 

CHILD LIKE ENTHUSIASM

You know what???  You never really know what fun is all about until you watch a child at play...


They approach things with unbridled wonder... often getting distracted along the way, be it by a butterfly, bumblebee or whatever.
  













As adults, we need to try to find a way to recapture some of that child like enthusiasm... don't ya think???

Well... for about  8 hour last Saturday,  we did just that!!!

So... what did we do last Saturday?

Welp.. we launched our First Annual Blue Steel Cyclocross Clinic with 64 enthusiastic riders... many who were new to the sport.   Of the 64 riders... we had close to 10 junior riders in the group, which just added to the fun.... not to mention, the energy level...  Kids on bikes are = to main lining adrenaline!!!! 

We broke the Clinic into 2 sessions... a morning and afternoon session... 

We had 6 skills stations we taught in the morning.  

The skills we covered were:

*  Mounts and Dismounts
*  Barriers 
*  Shouldering The Bike
*  Off Camber Riding
*  Pit Set Up
*  Cross Equipment

Folks started out a bit tentatively... but after a few minutes we saw their confidence begin to slowly build, then we heard hoots of excitement as they accomplished things they didn't think they would be able to do.  It's amazing to see people progress so quickly is such a short period of time.  

The child like enthusiasm comes bursting out of all of us when we see progress, that we didn't think possible... regardless of our age.  

Hey... where you going????   No idea...  Where, you going ???


Then, after a short lunch break... which was provided, the afternoon session tied the skills together and everyone raced!!!


Everyone did really well and I'm so proud and happy for both the folks who attended, and for my teammates, sponsors, and friends of the team who helped... They all did such a great job on and off the course.  What a great effort... what a great day!  Everyone really had a good time out there and it really showed on the smiling faces. 

Uhh... who's idea was this anyway???

First Annual Blue Steel Cross Clinic Graduates!!

 
 

Chocolate milk make a great recovery ride drink in a pinch!

Despite the warm temps.... we kept everyone well hydrated and everyone had tons of fun!

We're going to do it again next year... so if you want to recapture some of your child like enthusiasm... come join us.  You won't regret it. 

Before closing... I would like to take a moment to thank all the folks who helped out in putting on the event... many of them were Blue Steel Team members, but many were not.

I would love to give individuals shout outs but in fear of leaving someone out... I will not, for fear of hurting that one lone soldiers feelings... I could never forgive myself.    With that said.  Thank you, thank you, thank you...  

An effort of this size... can not be pulled off with out a ton of work and without a team effort, it simply can't be done.  Hopefully the smiles on the faces of the 64+ happy folks who attended the Clinic was enough payment for your efforts... if not... then please accept my thanks and gratitude.  

We'll do it again next year!


Have fun out there

Ride Safe!!

Talk with you soon

The Peanut Gallery