Friday 2 May 2014

Scientific experiment

In the last 6 years, since I've started all this training malarkey, I feel as though I've been putting my body through a scientific experiment. The type of training I am doing will dictate my shape. Ironman gave me big lat muscles and pecks which gave me some shape up top. MdS build up my quads and calfs with all the running as did the Highland Fling, so your body shape changes.
Now I'm injured with a pulled hamstring and my next goal is a 10km swim in September, I'll be changing again to bigger lats and pecks.
But I am going to take this opportunity of strengthening my core and improving my flexibility especially in my legs. Being injured isn't fun and while the muscle must have been fatigued, more yoga would probably have prevented it.
What's interesting is that my Heart Rate Variance monitor has been giving me exceptionally low (poor) red scores so even if I wasn't injured I wouldn't be training as my body needs time to recover. The strange thing is that with the exception of my hamstring, my legs feels great. Monitoring your heart, recording your time, watching what you eat - it's all an experiment and generally speaking I like the results.
Tomorrow I am visiting the physio as this hamstring is very sore. Any sudden movement has me doubled over in pain. So it's going to take time but here's hoping I will be back training on Monday in the pool and soon Lock Lomond. Got to keep going as there are so many different races/challenges I want to complete. It's great to feel and be alive.