‘GETTING BACK ON THE UPWARD CURVE’
We find out what our Fitness Project trio have been up to over the past few weeks as lockdown began to be eased
ALICIA THOMPSON, 37
It’s now six weeks since I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid gland, which – as detailed last month – struck out of the blue and left me feeling like my energy levels had completely flatlined. It all happened so quickly; my FTP nosedived by about 50 watts in the space of a week. Since then, I’ve been plugging away trying to get back to fitness, but to be honest it hasn’t been easy. In my last catch-up with coach Stephen
Gallagher (digdeepcoaching. com), we had to face the fact my numbers hadn’t come back to where I would have liked. Stephen reassured me that, prior to diagnosis, my FTP had been improving at a good, consistent rate, so it’s not that I don’t have the potential to bounce back – the lack of progress recently was definitely thyroid-related.
The latest news is much more positive: I’ve just had my follow-up blood test results back from my GP, and my thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) has fallen back from an almost off-the-scale peak to a number that is almost within normal range. My thyroxine level has correspondingly gone up and is now within healthy parameters, so the synthetic thyroxine I’ve been prescribed is clearly doing its job – and a small increase in dosage should see further improvement soon. This is hugely reassuring, as when Cycling Weekly’s ‘resident’ sports endocrinologist Dr Nicky Keay (see panel) looked at my initial blood test results, she was shocked – mine was one of the severest thyroid deficiencies she had ever seen. It’s been frustrating trying to get my fitness back while not being able to produce the numbers that ordinarily seem achievable, which feels almost like a disconnect between my brain and my legs. Together, Stephen and I have agreed that I should put structured training on hold. Trying to hit targets and not being able to push the numbers was becoming really disheartening. I’ve been able to spin my legs and maintain some aerobic fitness by doing easy rides outdoors and group rides on Zwift, and last weekend I even managed my first century ride since giving birth to my son nearly six months ago.
It’s satisfying progress, as only a few weeks ago that would have been well beyond me. Things are looking up!
Core blimey
The break from interval sessions has allowed me to consider other aspects I’d normally neglect – I’ve been doing some cross-training, strength work and some 20-minute HIT sessions. This has allowed me to work on my core, glutes, and quads – almost like off-season conditioning, only this time with the sun shining outside.
Refocusing on these areas should benefit me in the longer term, especially in the sense of getting back to prepregnancy condition and all-round resilience. These different types of training have also meant I’ve kept my weight stable, despite the thyroid issue, so my damage-limitation strategies have paid off.
While hard sessions have been put on hold, I’ve been consoling myself with a spot of online window shopping –
I’m contemplating buying a new bike, which will give me extra motivation once I’m feeling fully better. There is no good time to have a health issue like this, but I have to be positive and accept that being forced to suspend training during lockdown was easier than it would have been if I’d had to forgo races.
I’m looking forward to a road trip through France with my husband and our baby son – we’re heading to Bordeaux next month. Hopefully by the time I get back, I’ll be refreshed and my thyroid levels will be where they need to be to allow me to dive back into my schedule.