Diagnosis

With my back pain getting steadily worse, I finally went to my doctor, who sent me to a chiropractor. He did this and that and told me it wasn' t my back at all, it was my sacrum, that shield-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine. He seemed quite knowledgeable about sports and running in particular, which was helpful. He said I pronate severely and should get shoe inserts - by rolling in at the feet, extra pressure is put on my knees and hips. Also I should run more frequently, for shorter duration - 20 minutes 3 times a week is far better than 40 minutes once a week as it builds the muscles appropriately. He insisted I stick with all my core-building exercises, and I'm to come back for more this and that for a few more weeks - releasing scar tissue and learning yet more exercises, specifically to strengthen the sides of my hips. He also had some suggestions for my elbow tendinitis - gave me a strange device that clamps over my forearm and supposedly takes the pressure off the tendons.

Meanwhile I barely worked out at all this week - swam Monday, but then nothing til today (long walk) due to meetings, deadlines, and confusion (left my towel at home one day that I actually did make it to the gym - couldn't shower so didn't want to work out - lame, I know. And I could have used paper towels if I was really committed!)

But I hope I'll start feeling better and stronger now that I have a new plan! (Let's see - for this week, I'll: Monday - run - Tuesday spin, Wednesday - swim, Thursday: run, Friday: swim (if I don't go to NYC), Saturday Pilates and ....? and Sunday bike or run depending on weather. Back exercises, at least 20 minutes, every night. When rest? This week, none - making up for a slothful week.

Sigh

Everything still hurts - back hurts, elbow hurts. Went "running" this morning at the Hotchkiss indoor track (10 laps to a mile, I assume, since it takes me a little more than a minute to "run" around once. I listened to a special school assembly they were having below in the gym while I went aroudn and around - a speaker talking about how to integrate the lessons of MLK into their daily interactions with each other. She wasn't a great speaker/presenter, but it was a worthy attempt. Meanwhile I was struggling - couldn't keep it going for a full 30 minutes, had to stop and walk a number of times. I just felt tired. Still do.

In the swim

I haven't run in a few weeks - trying to help my back heal, which it's finally starting to do - but I got back in the pool today. I was trying to test myself against the swimmers on either side of me - I could definitely outstrip Betty if I really tried, though not for long - after six or eight lengths I had to take a break -- but Carl was about 25% faster on every length, even though his form wasn't "perfect" according to the book I'm reading (his legs sank) - he must have a lot of power. I was really trying to focus on form - "press the buoy" "sweet spot" etc and realized when I was doing my "closed fist" drills that I'm doing something wrong when I take a breath - I sink, and use my extended hand to hold me up. I'll have to go back to the book to see more about what I should do about that!

I am itching to get out for a long bike ride (without Miss A. - she's doing great but I don't want to make her try to ride a full 13 miles yet!) but don't know when I can. If the weather is nice on Monday perhaps I can do a morning swim and a midday ride, especially if F. takes the day off and can pick them up from school. I think I'll try a real run Sunday morning - test my fitness! My weight is just about back to where it was at my lowest before all the holidays began - now I can really focus on my next goal.

New Year's is upon us!

A little review is in order.

At the beginning of 2006, I could thrash through the water for 20 minutes or so, with lots of breaks and very poor form. I couldn't run more than a minute or two, and walking 5 miles just about killed me. I hadn't been on a bike in 5 years, and when I tried spinning, it hurt so much I quit after a few minutes. Oh, and I weighed about 222 pounds.

Now: I can swim smoothly for a few hundred yards at a time, and go for 30 minutes without too much trouble (very slowly though.) I can run (plod, slowly) for 30 minute straight (if it's flat ground!) and cover nearly 2.5 miles. (Did I mention the slow part?) and I can do a 50 minute spinning class or 30 minutes on the ellliptical trainer. I've lost about 23 pounds, a clothing size or two, one of my many chins, and generally feel better, sleep better, am more cheerful and optimistic.

My goals for 2007: Run the Sharon Classic in May (5 miles, hills) - run more than walk, finish not-last. Complete the Pawling Triathlon in June (just finish!). Lose another size (OK two would be nice but slow and steady...) Keep focusing on injury prevention. Find ways to make it social to maintain my interest. Perhaps take a Total Immersion class in New Paltz.

Also - dance more (occasional real dancing ie at Arts In Motion, plus a ballroom class w/ Fred...)

I have other goals too, but this blog is just about the triathlon preparation and physical fitness!

Standing still

The holidays, the holidays! It's an avalanche of cookies! A tsunami of chocolate! And so many opportunities not to exercise! Yesterday I thought I'd go running (shooting for distance and consistency, as per my new bible, Triathlon 101, which says forget the speed work and "fartleks" and other fancy stuff til much later) but instead we went ice skating and to a dance performance. Skating feels like exercise, sort of - my rear end is definitely telling me I did something yesterday - but I don't think it added much to my cardiovascular abilities. But yes, it's fun and a great way to to spend time with the kids. Speaking of whom, they're out of school for the next two weeks, which puts a crimp into everything - my morning workout schedule is nearly impossible with them. Of course I could have gotten out of bed at 7:00 today and gone for a run before Fred left ... but did I? I did not. So no whining allowed. But I've been zealously sort of) doing my back and "core" exercises, and I think it definitely hurts a bit less. Elbow - still sore. Shoulder/upper back - a slight improvement. The knee I conked so hard on the counter at the coffee shop I thought I'd start to cry, or throw up, or both - still achy. Mysterious pain in my right thumb? Still there. Bizarre unexplained spider bites/rash which prevents me from using the heart monitor? Healing, for sure. Mood? Fine!

So why "standing still" - because I didn't really add onto my times or distances in the last 2 weeks - still working out 4-5 times a week, but maintaining. I guess that's the best I can hope for right now! Come January, the preparation really begins!

Ouchies

I finally found what I think is the right book for me: Triathlon 101. The others were way too technical. (I really don't need five pages of bike diagrams showing the ratios of various parts, and I'm defeinitely not taking blood tests to determine my lactate uptake rate (I made that term up, but people apparently really do take blood tests as part of their training)! This book is much simpler. (Not that I've actually started reading it yet, but the intro makes it sound like the perfect thing for the beginner.)

I went running, sort of, today. I've not been feeling well (but won't whine about my elbow, or my rash, or my nonspecific but decidedly weird feeling under my ear here!) and when I set off (trying to step 90 steps per minute - THAT is hard!!!) my back said, "Hi there, remember me?" and my knees chimed in quickly too, in a very annoyed tone. I brought my camera, so I stopped a lot to shoot what I think will be some rather nice pictures for my photoblog. I felt a bit guilty about not training full-out, but at least I got out the door.

I saw a friend the other day who used to be fat like me, and now she is thin and beautiful. (She was always beautiful.) She drinks green tea and sips chicken broth while cooking dinner (and drinks something like 196 ounces of water a day!) -- I thought I might borrow a trick or two. 64 ounces of water and a few cups of green tea seem like a good place to start to jumpstart the weight loss - I've been stalled out for two months now. (Not that I am unhappy - having lost 24 pounds is a reward in itseld and I'm feeling reasonably patient about the next phase.)

I've been good about my back exercises and did a little weight work today too. Tomorrow if I"m feeling better I'll start a more intense week again: swim spin swim spin swim. Or almost that much. Something's burning gotta go!

An intense week

My friend Beth told me to alternate intense, building weeks with recovery weeks. I'm not sure which one this was: I worked out every day, Monday-Friday. Monday: 20 minute swim. Tuesday: 50 minute spin class. Wednesday: 20 minute swim. Thursday: 30 minutes on treadmill, with sprints and walks. Friday: 30 minute swim. Tomorrow I'll do Pilates (protecting the back)and some elliptical. Sunday, probably rest (going to the city.) I have to get a grip on the eating, and my back still hurts. Next week I'll focus on low-intensity, improving technique, with at least one other day off. The following: ratchet it up a notch. I guess this is still the off-season!