Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Police Half recovery

Thanks for all your kind thoughts and congratulations. I actually felt pretty good for the remainder of Sunday. Monday was a different story. I didn't feel too bad getting to the pool, knowing an easy swim was coming up, but Holy Hannah was I slow! I didn't feel weak or anything, but it was like I'd never been in the pool before. Good thing I didn't have any emotional investment in a fast, or even normal, or even a sub normal time. I tried the pull buoy but it made me feel like my toes were dragging on the pool bottom. Without it, even when I was hardly kicking, I had a better position in the water. I floundered along, figuring that it would come back to me. There were a few laps where it almost did. At least my inner shark didn't show up to laugh at me. That was a half hour, and another bit in the dive tank doing some stretches. Mainly I was going through the motions of what I usually do, not trying to push the range or anything. That was another 15 min. So .75 hr altogether.

Then, I turned into a turnip. Or maybe it was a mound of mashed potatoes. I don't know. My brain was off in lala land somewhere. I did get a half hour walk done, and some cookies made, and dishes done. Can you tell I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel for some accomplishment here? Mostly I surfed the internet, looking for other reports on the race, and to see what other bloggers had been up to on the weekend.

Today is a bit better. Did a nice spin session on my bike for a half hour. Warmed up, then nice and steady between 90 and 95 rpm for 15 min in an easy gear, then cool down. Then a half hour of yoga, including 6 pushups and some plank! That was a surprise. Now I'm feeling much more with it, and have been crossing things off my to do list. More to come as soon as this is posted.

Some final thoughts.
Looking back on the race, I'm still pleased. I realize now that if I'd applied a bit more grit I wouldn't have slowed down so much in the last couple of K. I could have set my goals higher. But this is all still a learning experience for me. I'm the sort of person that has to do something to know I can. Then I can work on improvement. At first I was so out of shape that the physical improvement was the big thing. If my body was saying it was tired and wanted to stop, it was probably a good idea, or risk injury. Now, I'm realizing that I need to train my brain that I'm stronger than I used to be, and I can push my body way harder. This post by E.L.F really rang my chimes, and if you haven't read it, go do so. Time to get on with it.

3 comments:

  1. I have definitely experienced trying to use a pull bouy and feeling like my feet were sinking. Sounds like your body was spent (in a good way). I'm sure the light swim, stretching and yoga all helped.
    I like your final thoughts. I'm like you in that I need to know I can do something first too, then work on improvement. You had an awesome race and should be really proud of yourself! (Which, it sounds like you are.)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ah ha, the mental game, so important but never at the risk of injury, for sure! Get in some more walking and spinning and you'll be good as new. Glad to hear you're still pleased with everytihng...you should be.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Eat more cookies (but save some for me). Heh-heh-heh!

    Training is all about preparing yourself for those last few kms, eh? That's when all the mental games, physical discomfort, and (like you said) "grit" come into play. You did amazing -- and armed with this new knowledge, you will continue to push the envelope and redefine your "limits." :) :) :)

    ReplyDelete

Looking forward to reading your comment!