It seems the most common pain conditions I see are caused by trying to catch-up on exercise. For a number of reasons people miss, or skip their scheduled exercise routine and then try to make it up as soon as they return to the routine. I just want to remind us all, a few missed days of exercise is not going to make a negative change in our fitness.
A la Dan, a few random thoughts:
-how to pick a great coach: go with the one who EXPLAINS things to you (even if you don’t really want to know). It’s not mysticism - there should be a reason for every workout you are assigned. The greatest coaches coach you so that you COULD coach yourself one day (even though you probably won’t want to because having a coach provides a lot of intrisic benefits). If they can explain it, then they understand it well enough to prescribe it…Janda was always expounding on the science of his choices and giving me links to resources because he valued an INFORMED athlete. That told me he wasn’t afraid to be challenged or questioned, and security is a sign of competence.
ok…I admit, I’ve been away awhile. Things have been busy in a good but hectic kind of way, so blogging fell along the wayside. I’m sure you managed to carry on without me.
But I’m back. And the things that have been tumbling around in my head during workouts (i.e. the thoughts that form the foundations for all my entries) need somewhere to go!
Here in Northern California, the cold weather has arrived with winters breath, and the fall leaves are now dappling their color on the roads. With the rain and wind, the leaves have lost their last hold in the trees, and now wait to be frozen in place under the coming snows. Until then, they lay in wait to catch the unsuspecting cyclist or runner off guard with their ice-like slipperiness.
The process of training for and competing in an IronMan needs to be experienced to truly appreciate it. We spend months (and years) building up our training volumes and intensities in an effort to hit the starting line at peak condition. The physical training is long and hard, but I believe it’s the mental focus that sets athletes apart.
I watched an amazing thing today. Two women crept forward in their cars, jockeying for this parking spot right by the grocery store’s front doors. They began honking and arguing, with one finally wedging her car in before the other. The one who didn’t get the space parked behind the other woman, got out and continued arguing.
There were probably about 20 empty spaces less than 30 yards away. I’m not kidding.
