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.
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.
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...
Pain Management for a Cross Racer
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.
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".
Have fun out there
Ride Safe!!
Talk with you soon
The Peanut Gallery
