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August 10, 2005
Going for speed; first ART experience
Whoo hoo! I finally had a decent run last night (Tuesday). The schedule called for a VO2 max workout - 9 miles with 6 x 600m at 5k race pace and a 90 second recovery - and I did just that. I didn't have a recent 5k time to use, so I selected a pace that I thought I could maintain on a perfect day, with perfect weather conditions, and perfect health. It seemed like a good starting point, and if I felt crappy, then I could back off. I warmed up for 2.5 miles, ran 4 repeats @ 6:58 and the last 2 repeats @ 6:53, and cooled down for 3 miles. It was not easy by any means, but I just tried to put my legs autopilot and keep in mind it was a short distance. The workout went by quickly. When I got home, I had a snack (a couple buffalo wings and celery sticks - yes, I'm weird) and within the hour, R. and I were at the pool swimming. I was pretty tired and ended up only swimming a 1000m very easy, untimed. R. got reprimanded by the lifeguard b/c a lady complained he wouldn't let her swim with he and another gal, when actually he didn't say anything to her. The lady jumped into the lane without warning them and she wouldn't swim in circles, so he had to keep passing her. She got all nasty when R. was so amenable, like "come back in the lane". So, she stormed off and jumped in my lane. Some people are truly clueless.
This morning I had an appointment with my new chiropractor/ART practitioner, recommended by my co-worker. It was *wonderful* and *painful*. Is that possible? Absolutely. I appreciated that she took time to assess what the problems were by poking around my back, hips, and feet and by observing me do various exercises like squats, one-legged squats, lunges for stability and pain levels. Then, she proceeded to dig her thumb into various areas in my hip while having me move my leg through different ranges of motion. It burned and hurt pretty good, but from what she said, that was only a "5" on a scale of 1-10. I think I have a high pain threshold, but yikes, I'd hate to see 10. She explained that the hip has five muscles, and about two or three of mine were tight or locked up - muscle adhesions, she called them. I love geeking out on physiology, so I was like an eager student memorizing the technical terms that I had long forgotten after I took my fitness instructor exam. I go back in a couple weeks, and hopefully within 4-6 treatments the scar tissue will be completely broken up. I really hope this works out because I feel like I've been through the gamut of PTs, chiropractors, etc, and I just want this 3+ year old injury to be gone.
On tap for tonight: an easy 6 miles and a date with my computer to complete an epic security clearance application dating back 10 years of my professional/personal life. Ugh. I just accepted a new job doing something that (I hope) is going to make a contribution in the fight against terrorism. Until I get there, though, I don’t know what specifically or even how much I’m allowed to divulge. I guess that’s part of the excitement.
Posted by Leilani at August 10, 2005 04:53 PM
Comments
I'm glad to hear that you had a good run, and I hope the ART works. It's been magical for me in the past.
Congratulations on the new job!!
Posted by: Alison at August 11, 2005 06:55 AM
Hey Coach!
Glad you're feeling better! I figure that I should stop lurking on your blog and write something - 'specially if I want you to keep on mine!
So who is this Art dude? Does Rob know about him? Does he suspect anything? ;-)
Re: stupid swimming chick... Darwin sez, hold her underwater for 5-10 minutes and your problems will be solved! (just kidding)
So is the new job really a new job? or just a new assignment at the same employer? Inquiring minds want to know...
BTW, you need to start coming out to the track on Thursday mornings to kick my Yasso-running butt!
Posted by: Andrew at August 11, 2005 12:40 PM