Former top ten ranked veteran sprinter, Phil McWilliam, is now breaking into the world’s elite cycling ranks, after debilitating achilles and shoulder injuries threatened to call time on his athletic successes.

However, once he started regular treatment with Blizard Physiotherapy’s Jenny Blizard, he was able to step up his bike training and take on the best cyclists on the planet at major championships.

The 57-year-old Northern Vets athlete has a glittering pedigree on the running track, holding impressive sprint PBs of 12.3 and 24.4s indoors, winning him medals and top ten UK rankings for his age group until as recently as 2012.

After competing at a high level for more than two decades, his achilles began to become more of an issue, particularly with fast speed work and racing, so he took up cycling to keep fit just three years ago, and, after sustaining a shoulder injury from gym work, he came to see Jenny for treatment.

Phil takes up the story from here.

“I managed to win a bronze medal at the British Masters Championships in 2012 on very little track work because of my achilles, completing most of my training on a static bike at the Don Valley stadium,” he explained.
“Soon after I decided to get track accredited at the Manchester velodrome, which coincided with hurting my shoulder and starting to see Jenny on a regular basis.
 
“I started competing in match sprinting and 500m TT events in the velodrome in 2014, which meant a lot of work in the gym and on my track bike, which, in turn, can give me issues with my back. However, I saw Jenny regularly to keep all this under control, and, without Jenny’s input, I’d have seized up a long time ago!”

Phil competed in the British and World track cycling championships in his first year of competition, followed by a decent winter’s training, aided by Jenny keeping his back and shoulders ‘in order’.
 
In large part down to his commitment to having regular physiotherapy at the clinic, he returned to the British and World championships this year, placing an incredible fourth Brit, and sixth in the world at match sprinting! He was also fifth and 14th in the 500m TT. What a talent!
 
Phil is relieved to have made the switch to cycling, having been able to train and compete injury free in contrast to his running experiences.

He added: “Jenny has certainly helped a lot here with keeping my back and shoulders loose and free!”

The Sheffield cyclist is keen to emphasis the impact Blizard Physiotherapy’s services have had on his ability to compete at such a high level, enabling him to train four to five times a week, including going to the velodrome twice a week and, when nearer competition, three times a week.

“Going forward I’d like to think I’m capable of getting a medal at the Brits – the worlds is a different matter though!” he enthused. “Like everyone else, my training has to fit in around work – so getting to Manchester to train can be quite a challenge. I do have a Wattbike, a Smith machine, and an Olympic bar and weights at home, so when I can’t get down to the gym or the track I can at least do something at home.”

Phil’s enthusiasm, natural talent, and determination to succeed despite a number of set backs are inspiring to all who hear about his successes, and should serve as a great motivating tool for anyone struggling with injuries to never give up, and see our team of physiotherapists to help you get back into training and competition as soon as possible!