I am pleased to announce that I will officially be starting physical therapy on Friday! Yay!
But before that . . . Thursday is speedwork in the pool. I'm not really looking forward to it; this new biking and ellipticalling (yes, I know that "ellipticalling" is probably not a word) has decreased my swimming mojo. Also, my last swim workout was terrible - I felt like I had weights tied to my shoulders the entire time. Moreover, I want to keep working on the things I haven't been doing. (I just used "Moreover" in a blog post. I am such a nerd.) Although, that said, I was on the trainer yesterday and the elliptical today, and my legs are pretty sore today. I suppose that's not too surprising, considering that I did basically no lower-body anything for nearly 2 months, and now I'm getting back into it. I need to stretch, stretch, and then stretch some more, because I will be so. bummed. if I manage to hurt myself by trying to do too much too soon. Although hopefully that's where the PT will be helpful.
Tomorrow is a rest day, which I am really happy about. It's not like my training level is so high right now that my rest days are such wonderful recovery. Really, though, I think that with the semester winding down, and my stress level being relatively high right now, the rest days are still pretty welcome.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
So I somehow convinced myself that I had last posted on Sunday. Clearly not true.
Big news in the world of injury recovery!! I am now (drumroll please...) walking without my boot! Yes, indeed, I have made the decision that it's time to downsize to an aircast. Yeah, I know, "Isn't that a decision the doctor should be making?" But the specialist I saw gave me a general timeframe for recovery, then told me that the specifics would be limited only by my pain tolerance. So once I realized that walking around the house without the boot was not terribly painful anymore, I decided to do away with it completely. I still feel a little pain when I'm walking, but it's so nice to be walking in regular shoes and wearing jeans, which I haven't been able to do because they don't fit over the boot. This whole development, as you can imagine, is a very good thing, and I think the acupuncture has been extremely beneficial in aiding my recovery. I will also be starting traditional PT soon, to help get my strength and range of motion back.
So because I can walk without the boot, I have revamped my training schedule. I got back on the bike yesterday, for a 45-minute spin on the trainer. It was the first time I've been on the bike since I got hurt, and let me tell you . . . my butt hurt. Seriously, when you're riding 3-4 days per week you get used to it, and having gone almost 2 months now, I am definitely out of practice. But, I was on the trainer, and got a decent workout, so yay! And I was on the elliptical this morning.
My goals now are more focused on starting to re-establish my biking and running (well, for the time being, ellipticalling) workouts. I will continue to swim, but probably only 2 days per week - one longer swim and one speed workout. As excited as I am to be able to bike and elliptical, it would definitely be a shame if I lost the progress I have made in swimming.
So. Recovery is happening!!
Big news in the world of injury recovery!! I am now (drumroll please...) walking without my boot! Yes, indeed, I have made the decision that it's time to downsize to an aircast. Yeah, I know, "Isn't that a decision the doctor should be making?" But the specialist I saw gave me a general timeframe for recovery, then told me that the specifics would be limited only by my pain tolerance. So once I realized that walking around the house without the boot was not terribly painful anymore, I decided to do away with it completely. I still feel a little pain when I'm walking, but it's so nice to be walking in regular shoes and wearing jeans, which I haven't been able to do because they don't fit over the boot. This whole development, as you can imagine, is a very good thing, and I think the acupuncture has been extremely beneficial in aiding my recovery. I will also be starting traditional PT soon, to help get my strength and range of motion back.
So because I can walk without the boot, I have revamped my training schedule. I got back on the bike yesterday, for a 45-minute spin on the trainer. It was the first time I've been on the bike since I got hurt, and let me tell you . . . my butt hurt. Seriously, when you're riding 3-4 days per week you get used to it, and having gone almost 2 months now, I am definitely out of practice. But, I was on the trainer, and got a decent workout, so yay! And I was on the elliptical this morning.
My goals now are more focused on starting to re-establish my biking and running (well, for the time being, ellipticalling) workouts. I will continue to swim, but probably only 2 days per week - one longer swim and one speed workout. As excited as I am to be able to bike and elliptical, it would definitely be a shame if I lost the progress I have made in swimming.
So. Recovery is happening!!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Oops!
So I suppose that if I'm going to be keeping a blog I should try to post in it on a semi-regular basis.
For having relatively nothing to do, and fairly low stress this year (at least compared to last year), I am so freaking busy! I feel like I have so much to do (maybe it's the 6 classes) but overall, my stress level is so much lower than this time last year, when I was interviewing at law firms. There's something just so draining about having to be 'on' all the time during interview season; I think it's tough not to be exhausted all the time.
Monday was a rest day. Tuesday was another long slow swim, and like the speedwork last Friday, I took a couple seconds off of each swim. It's great to see such immediate results, but it's too bad that these drops in time won't keep up at the same rate.
Because I'm so happy that I can finally do the elliptical, I did that on Wednesday. I had planned to go for 45 minutes, but after about 25 I felt a twinge in my foot and decided to cut it short. I like continuing to recover more than I liked staying on the elliptical for another 20 minutes and potentially doing any more damage or impeding the healing process at all.
Today was a short swim, because of course I overslept (it's a Thursday, after all). I managed to get in 11 x 50 (15 sec rest) (meant to do 10 but miscounted) and 12 x 25 (10 sec rest). My times for the 50s ranged from 48 to 52 (50, 50, 50, 48, 49, 52, 49, 50, 49, 49, 50), and the 25s were (25, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 25, 24, 24, 25, 25, 25). I might not be fast, but at least I'm consistent!
Tomorrow is acupuncture again. Last week after I did it I was able to do the elliptical. Hopefully there will be good results this time as well!
For having relatively nothing to do, and fairly low stress this year (at least compared to last year), I am so freaking busy! I feel like I have so much to do (maybe it's the 6 classes) but overall, my stress level is so much lower than this time last year, when I was interviewing at law firms. There's something just so draining about having to be 'on' all the time during interview season; I think it's tough not to be exhausted all the time.
Monday was a rest day. Tuesday was another long slow swim, and like the speedwork last Friday, I took a couple seconds off of each swim. It's great to see such immediate results, but it's too bad that these drops in time won't keep up at the same rate.
Because I'm so happy that I can finally do the elliptical, I did that on Wednesday. I had planned to go for 45 minutes, but after about 25 I felt a twinge in my foot and decided to cut it short. I like continuing to recover more than I liked staying on the elliptical for another 20 minutes and potentially doing any more damage or impeding the healing process at all.
Today was a short swim, because of course I overslept (it's a Thursday, after all). I managed to get in 11 x 50 (15 sec rest) (meant to do 10 but miscounted) and 12 x 25 (10 sec rest). My times for the 50s ranged from 48 to 52 (50, 50, 50, 48, 49, 52, 49, 50, 49, 49, 50), and the 25s were (25, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 25, 24, 24, 25, 25, 25). I might not be fast, but at least I'm consistent!
Tomorrow is acupuncture again. Last week after I did it I was able to do the elliptical. Hopefully there will be good results this time as well!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
This weekend was not bad, apart from the BLACKOUT we had this weekend! Okay, really, it wasn't that bad, and we fled to my mother's house, with the dog in tow. Hooch the dog got to play with my mom's dog, which always makes for good time (except when they fight - eek! Fortunately that only happened once, when one cornered the other). But really, they get along quite well, and it was a good chance for him to get out some excess energy, which stops him from running around our house. It's really a shame that he's totally uncoordinated and can't play fetch to save his life, because that would be a great way to run him around. But instead, when we throw a ball to him, it'll land and he'll run to it, look at it and maybe sniff it, and then run back (sans ball) to us. I've tried throwing the ball directly at him, hoping that if it falls in front of his nose he'll catch it. But no. The ball may even hit him, with no discernible result. This dog has no fetch instincts AT ALL. It's really quite pathetic.
As for me, I spent most of the weekend, as I spend every weekend, studying. It will be so excellent when I can do something other than studying during the weekend and not hear my nagging conscience telling me that I should be studying. I have a nagging case of senioritis that I just can't kick, and I still have another 1.5 semesters to go, followed by what should be an . . . um . . . well . . . okay, whatever, I just have to accept that studying for the bar is going to suck. As in suck up all my free time, and energy, and perhaps will to live. But it's a necessary evil, and since I've already accepted a job that's contingent on me PASSING the bar, one that I should really accept quite willingly.
So I am happy to say that my "one the road to recovery" thought was probably not premature! I was able to do the elliptical this weekend, for 45 minutes yesterday and 30 minutes today. I am totally psyched that I did not lose all my fitness!! Yesterday's workout was just the elliptical, which although 45 minutes was at a low resistance. Today was a sprint workout in the pool, which I chose to follow with the elliptical because I was just so freaking happy to be able to do it! I took a few seconds off of my times from last week; today's 50s were in the 40-41 second range. If only I could take 2 seconds off my 50 time every week!
As for me, I spent most of the weekend, as I spend every weekend, studying. It will be so excellent when I can do something other than studying during the weekend and not hear my nagging conscience telling me that I should be studying. I have a nagging case of senioritis that I just can't kick, and I still have another 1.5 semesters to go, followed by what should be an . . . um . . . well . . . okay, whatever, I just have to accept that studying for the bar is going to suck. As in suck up all my free time, and energy, and perhaps will to live. But it's a necessary evil, and since I've already accepted a job that's contingent on me PASSING the bar, one that I should really accept quite willingly.
So I am happy to say that my "one the road to recovery" thought was probably not premature! I was able to do the elliptical this weekend, for 45 minutes yesterday and 30 minutes today. I am totally psyched that I did not lose all my fitness!! Yesterday's workout was just the elliptical, which although 45 minutes was at a low resistance. Today was a sprint workout in the pool, which I chose to follow with the elliptical because I was just so freaking happy to be able to do it! I took a few seconds off of my times from last week; today's 50s were in the 40-41 second range. If only I could take 2 seconds off my 50 time every week!
Friday, October 20, 2006
Woah-oh, We're Halfway There...
Rest day today; I'll do abs and perhaps some light upper-body weights.
I went to get a haircut today. I had my hair very long for a while, and cut it off about 2 years ago. Now I'm trying to grow it out again, and of course that means enduring those lovely awkward lengths where nothing quite looks right. And with curly hair, I'm lucky if I can avoid it looking like a bird's nest half the time :)
Acupuncture was interesting. I am not really sure what to expect now, in terms of healing. I will go back, but can I expect to see results soon? Or do I have to go for a few sessions before I see any results? And at that point, how do I know it's the acupuncture and not just the healing that would have othewise taken place in the three weeks that has passed? I mean, I'm all for trying something new, but I'm not all for paying a couple hundred bucks for something that's not going to help.
And yes, in response to the comment (from my only reader), you're right, I didn't put goal times for my races. That's because I think I need to evaluate where I am fitness-wise after I'm healed up. Once that happens, I will be able to set aggressive-yet-realistic times. If I try to set times before then, I think I risk setting my sights too high (and being disappointed) or too low (and not pushing myself hard enough). Thoughts?
As for the thread title, I am feeling cautiously optimistic that the healing is going well, and I think I will start looking into some PT to address the lost strength and flexibility. I am on the road to recovery!!
I went to get a haircut today. I had my hair very long for a while, and cut it off about 2 years ago. Now I'm trying to grow it out again, and of course that means enduring those lovely awkward lengths where nothing quite looks right. And with curly hair, I'm lucky if I can avoid it looking like a bird's nest half the time :)
Acupuncture was interesting. I am not really sure what to expect now, in terms of healing. I will go back, but can I expect to see results soon? Or do I have to go for a few sessions before I see any results? And at that point, how do I know it's the acupuncture and not just the healing that would have othewise taken place in the three weeks that has passed? I mean, I'm all for trying something new, but I'm not all for paying a couple hundred bucks for something that's not going to help.
And yes, in response to the comment (from my only reader), you're right, I didn't put goal times for my races. That's because I think I need to evaluate where I am fitness-wise after I'm healed up. Once that happens, I will be able to set aggressive-yet-realistic times. If I try to set times before then, I think I risk setting my sights too high (and being disappointed) or too low (and not pushing myself hard enough). Thoughts?
As for the thread title, I am feeling cautiously optimistic that the healing is going well, and I think I will start looking into some PT to address the lost strength and flexibility. I am on the road to recovery!!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
GOOOOOAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!(s)
So by posting twice in one day I am revealing myself to be a potential blogger-dork. The dork part is already well-established, but I'm not sure how I feel about the blogger-dork part. Promise to self: Self, I will not become a blogger whose first thought is "Like, OMG, this totally has to go on my BLOG!!" That said...
I think I need to establish goals for myself. So here goes:
1. Get healthy. Without this, none of the others are possible.
2. Rebuild the huge base that I had before I was injured.
3. Continue swimming regularly (though not the 5-6 days a week I am doing now)
4. Do Spinervals at least once a week until January, and then at least twice per week.
5. Start doing running speedwork. I am the queen of the base-building aerobic run, but it's time I face the fact that that won't help me get faster.
6. (maybe) Get a coach to help me achieve these goals.
2007: Olympic distance.
2008: 70.3
I think I need to establish goals for myself. So here goes:
1. Get healthy. Without this, none of the others are possible.
2. Rebuild the huge base that I had before I was injured.
3. Continue swimming regularly (though not the 5-6 days a week I am doing now)
4. Do Spinervals at least once a week until January, and then at least twice per week.
5. Start doing running speedwork. I am the queen of the base-building aerobic run, but it's time I face the fact that that won't help me get faster.
6. (maybe) Get a coach to help me achieve these goals.
2007: Olympic distance.
2008: 70.3
Today's workout was fun. It was:
10-minute warmup (Kick sets are getting easier! YAY!)
10 x 50 (15 sec. rest)
12 x 25 (15 sec. rest)
The main set was a 'moderate' effort. It went by pretty quickly. I like these shorter middle-intensity workouts, I think they give me a good chance to work on form while still getting in a good workout. And, after my workout I noticed that the woman in the lane next to me was wearing the same goggles I have (Speedo Women's Vanquisher), so I asked her if she has had problems with them fogging. I got these goggles like 3 weeks ago and they are fogging like mad, despite a promised "Anti-Fog" coating. And really, it's not so attractive to be licking the inside of my goggles before every workout. Anyway, she said she has had those problems, so I know it's not just mine. Maybe it's time to change brands. I hate goggle shopping.
Overall, though, not a bad day in the pool, not bad at all.
And tomorrow: Acupuncture!!
10-minute warmup (Kick sets are getting easier! YAY!)
10 x 50 (15 sec. rest)
12 x 25 (15 sec. rest)
The main set was a 'moderate' effort. It went by pretty quickly. I like these shorter middle-intensity workouts, I think they give me a good chance to work on form while still getting in a good workout. And, after my workout I noticed that the woman in the lane next to me was wearing the same goggles I have (Speedo Women's Vanquisher), so I asked her if she has had problems with them fogging. I got these goggles like 3 weeks ago and they are fogging like mad, despite a promised "Anti-Fog" coating. And really, it's not so attractive to be licking the inside of my goggles before every workout. Anyway, she said she has had those problems, so I know it's not just mine. Maybe it's time to change brands. I hate goggle shopping.
Overall, though, not a bad day in the pool, not bad at all.
And tomorrow: Acupuncture!!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
A Change In Perspective?
I did something today that seems totally outside my usual.
I went for a swim to "just loosen up." This is the role that a short run or a quick spin used to serve, and it's odd to do the same with swimming.
In the pool this morning, it was me and the three elderly people water-walking. I think one was the man who told me, at my last swim before I got hurt, that he liked watching me swim because I looked very smooth in the water. Given that I've been feeling rather less than graceful in the water, I took that as quite the compliment. Actually, it just about made my freaking day.
I went for a swim to "just loosen up." This is the role that a short run or a quick spin used to serve, and it's odd to do the same with swimming.
In the pool this morning, it was me and the three elderly people water-walking. I think one was the man who told me, at my last swim before I got hurt, that he liked watching me swim because I looked very smooth in the water. Given that I've been feeling rather less than graceful in the water, I took that as quite the compliment. Actually, it just about made my freaking day.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swimming...
Today's workout felt like the swimming equivalent of an LSD run. It was:
10-minute warmup
10 x 50 (20 sec. rest)
5 x 100 (45 sec. rest)
10 x 50 (20 sec rest)
It actually went by pretty quickly - the 50s just fly by.
I've lost patience with my injury. I can't wait to start biking and running again. Ick. But, I am going to try acupuncture on Friday, hopefully that will get the healing process going.
10-minute warmup
10 x 50 (20 sec. rest)
5 x 100 (45 sec. rest)
10 x 50 (20 sec rest)
It actually went by pretty quickly - the 50s just fly by.
I've lost patience with my injury. I can't wait to start biking and running again. Ick. But, I am going to try acupuncture on Friday, hopefully that will get the healing process going.
Monday, October 16, 2006
I am a Swimmer.
I am a swimmer.
Well, not really. But I am injured. I fell down some steps in early September (in the San Francisco airport, getting ready to board a redeye) and ended up with a bone bruise in my foot and a high ankle sprain. And then I got on the plane for a 6-hour flight.
I still can't walk. I have to wear a big boot. Needless to say (but I'll say anyway) I can't run. Hell, I can't even walk. I can't ride a bike. Not even on the trainer. But I can swim. Oh, yes, I can swim. Luckily, my husband taught me how to swim about a year ago.
I have been in the pool more in the past month than I thought I'd be until March. Fortunately, people were nice and sent me swim workouts, so I have some good workouts to do. Maybe all this swimming will make me fast!
I did 50s on Friday. My times were in the 43-44 second range. Not great, but all things considered, not too bad.
Well, not really. But I am injured. I fell down some steps in early September (in the San Francisco airport, getting ready to board a redeye) and ended up with a bone bruise in my foot and a high ankle sprain. And then I got on the plane for a 6-hour flight.
I still can't walk. I have to wear a big boot. Needless to say (but I'll say anyway) I can't run. Hell, I can't even walk. I can't ride a bike. Not even on the trainer. But I can swim. Oh, yes, I can swim. Luckily, my husband taught me how to swim about a year ago.
I have been in the pool more in the past month than I thought I'd be until March. Fortunately, people were nice and sent me swim workouts, so I have some good workouts to do. Maybe all this swimming will make me fast!
I did 50s on Friday. My times were in the 43-44 second range. Not great, but all things considered, not too bad.
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