When An Injury Occurs....

I slipped at the field hockey game Thursday night.  I slipped on the wet grass, and managed to fall perfectly into a hurdler stretch.  And while the landing and execution were perfect, the problem is that I was totally unprepared for the excessive stress/stretch placed on my hamstring.  The result.... PAIN!

Period.

And the bigger result-- I have injured my hamstring.

I spent the last couple days realizing ALL the movements that place demands on the hamstring.  Just about everything.  AND I have learned quite closely where the hamstring attaches and all the movements it is necessary for.

Your hamstring is essential in weight bearing activity, and can be reinjured in non-weight bearing related movement, as I learned when I misjudged the step and landed rapidly on my good leg.  The injured hamstring was not able to prepare for the shock to the body and in turn tightened rapidly and caused more pain.    *I wanted to cry*

I am glad I live on the ocean, and that it is still warm.  I have taken two salt water ice baths.... these seem to help, as they challenge my balance standing in the moving water.  The bigger challenge is walking across the sand to the beach.

It will be interesting teaching my cycling classes this week.  I cannot afford to miss work, or take much time off.  I need to be well quickly.

I will keep you up to date on my progress as I rehab my own hamstring and return to running and cycling and training to compete in the races I have planned for the remainder of the year and moving into 2013.

Never Give In

I am sitting watching the sun set, wondering why the shorter days arrive sooooo quickly. It is still summer after all. And yet, the darkness is covering the eastern seaboard. I am reflecting on the week past, and preparing for the week ahead. I am adapting to my fall schedule, and was utterly exhausted this afternoon.

As I am preparing for the beginning of swim team tomorrow, i am reminded of the team's motto, NEVER GIVE IN! And I am challenged by this, as i am currently struggling on so many levels. I am working, and not seeing the rewards financially....... And as I am faced with the challenges of waiting to be able to take care of my stuff, I honestly don't know if I will be able to eat this week.

I am also preparing for my personal goals. After my birthday, I am determined to not be in the same position physically I was on my birthday...., yes, I am fitter than most, but I am NOT where I need nor want to be! I genuinely need to adopt the attitude of NEVER GIVE IN......

For my entire health, I need to truly encompass this attitude and challenge myself to accomplish the goals I have set out for my fitness and focus on competing again. It should be exciting to look to the next race, and prepare for it..... Not stressful because I am not prepared.

 

And so, this fall brings the motto...... NEVER GIVE IN!!

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And so I ran......

I have been struggling with my commitment level....my commitment to me. Granted, I am working crazy hours, and am exhausted justifiably so......but the commitment to me is NOT showing.

Today, I choose to put myself first. I got up and ran....... And I needed the run. I had woken from a very realistic dream in which my JEEP had been stolen. And i woke suddenly when one of my cars jumped on the bed.....thankful for small things.

As a result of the dream, I had unsettled energy. I decided to go run. Today's task was to run 30 minutes.... With 6x 30second burst scattered in. And off I went.....surprisingly, My pedestrian pace was faster than I expected, and I completed the run. Tomorrow, my legs will thank me as I will teach two spin classes.

But for now, I feel focused and ready to tackle the paperwork and planning to prepare for the rest of the week.

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Ride Your Way Lean

Reading an interesting book.... Ride Your Way Lean, by Selene Yeager, one of the staff members of Bicycling Magazine.

The thing that impressed me was she discusses how FUN cycling is!  And regardless of your starting point, physically, you feel like a kid again!!!!  She also is disappointed with the Biggest Loser whose contestants look like they are being tortured to ride a bike.

It brings me back to the FUN part!  I teach indoor cycling and coach triathletes.  I need to remember the fun.  Peeps come to my classes because of the hard work, well maybe.... but because there is an element.   Whatever the element, they want to feel good.

I need to remember the fun.

AND to remember fun is why I began cycling.  Fun is why it doesn't hurt so much.  Fun..... riding outside, wind blowing through your hair, pulling your feet off the pedals, saying weeeeeee!!!!!  and laughing outloud....

Fun is the element I need to return to.

Beginning with a Cycling Class....

Monday.....

brought a 2# weight gain.  Not sure where or why that happened.  Hormonal, I am sure.

Pffffft..... monday.

But I am not going to let that get me down, I have classes to teach and peeps to coach, teach and inspire.  I am an example.... even if I feel, what not to be.

Alas, I started today with a new class in my repertoire... I am now teaching 4 cycling classes a week, and that will soon be seven.

After class, I enjoyed a iced coffee, and went off to do Day One of my six week protocol.
I lifted, ran and rowed.  Intervals to the max!!!

I started the day with a bowl of oatmeal with flax seed and almonds.  Leo (my maine coon cat) like oatmeal.  And well.... he was eating from my bowl.
And I had a meal replacement drink-- essentially protein shake.

Tonight, a low carb meal is in order.

So far, I feel great.  Now that could be different at 6am tomorrow morning.

HItting Bottom

I feel like I hit the bottom.  I don't think there is any lower than I can go...... I have successfully gained the weight I lost prior to moving to MA.  Go Team.... Yay.... and for the life of me, I struggle to do anything.  And it isn't like I am watching hours of TV doing nothing.... I am actually working and living and exploring.... I just have no desire to train.  AND yesterday, when I actually wanted to swim.... the storm commenced.  It was Thundering.

PFFFFFFFT.

This morning, I got on the scale.  YIKES!  And I took my measurements.  I need to lose the equivalent of a small person.  No arguments here.... I looked at my profile in a reflection the other day... wow.  and yuck.

My plan is to keep it light and fun.... and refocus on staying on point.   I buy veggies, and they sit in the fridge, b/c they aren't ready to eat.  AND I find myself picking at lots of things.... and then not really eating a quality meal.

I want to be the example and live what I preach..... and I am struggling with it all.

Perhaps, this is a good point for me to go.... b/c it is about me and my health.  My birthday is Wednesday, and I want to really look and feel the youth I am.

First Week Complete

And I have begun Day Nine today.....  I feel great.  I am down another .2#.........

This morning started with a bowl of oatmeal, flax seed, almonds, walnuts and blueberries.  Satisfying!!!!  I am now enjoying an iced coffee.... the first of the day.  AND prepping a MR shake-- basically whey protein, and some fruit.... Tonight, I am looking forward to some fish and veggies... not sure what veggies I will choose, but I have squash, eggplant, and yams to choose from.  

It is great when I enjoy the food I eat.

I had a grilled cheese sandwich the other day from my coffee shop..... and after the initial hot of the sandwich, it didn't taste good.  I am choosing food better, and carrying more with me for better preparedness.

The summer season has changed.  Swim team is now on break, and I am enjoying the down time.  I used some of it today to row for 40 minutes, doing intervals of 4 minutes hard with 3 minutes recovery.

Tomorrow.... Day Ten begins.  I am looking forward to the adventure.