Today was my first training
day since last Wednesday. Last Wednesday we did our early swim as is the plan
for Wednesdays and straight after that we set off for a run from the pool using
the Frosty swim-run course that involves running away from the pool and into
the little duck pond park there. Its very pretty little place with art-deco
shelters on each side and dainty bridges and benches where if you wish you can
just sit and stare and that is a nice thing to do sometimes if you have a
moment or two in this busy life we all lead. There are swans and ducks and
other water birds in the midst of stylish flower beds. It is also used by well mannered
dog owners who live nearby and use the bins provided.
So, that morning we started
with the loop around the pond and then turned back toward the sea front. We did
the stretch that goes east from the pool and back, then started on the last
part that continues west out to the River Arun where it meets the sea. Just
after we passed the pool running toward the river that cuts West Beach
off from the town, I had a sharp pain in my left knee; so sharp that I stopped running
immediately. Steve looked at his Garmin 220 forerunner and it said that we are
only on 1.69 miles. The Wednesday run is supposed to be 5km and is more often
done in Arundel Park where it is soft underfoot.
I much prefer to run off road
even with uneven ground, running on the road or road type surfaces does not
suit me so well; I am happier with a variety of feeling underfoot as it is out
in the countryside. Talking about how my knee felt when we walked back to the
car, Steve though I should put a slab on gel ice from the freezer on it when we
had got home and had cleaned up, the hot bath and then a nice icing would be
just the job. I iced it again several more time during the course of the day,
not leaving the ice on too long.
It was fortuitous that we
had a few days off on a jolly planned. That was the trip to France and then a two night stay in Switzerland. It
is annoying when something goes wrong, when a muscle or a joint pings but I
don’t fret about it as I used to. It is my feeling that you should not be
afraid to take a rest now and again when your poor old hard worked body throws
a protest out. Maybe it is just a warning, or a gentle jingling of an alarm
bell. I have never been one to carry on training when my body says REST.
From Thursday last week
until Monday morning when we got home after our flash outing to see a winter
sports event, the only exercise we had there was walking and we did do quite a
bit of that including a long walk up a steed incline; OK it was a mountain path
but we were in no hurry and had the time to admire the magnificent views on the
way. Monday afternoon there was some office work that was urgent after our
short break and then there was unpacking, washing, ironing, tidying to do the
next day and we were so busy that the turbo session we had hoped for was lost
to us.
What I am saying here is
that you should never be afraid to take time to rest if you need to. Hammering
on when you have pain from training is never a good idea. A little bit of rest
and relaxation is a gift form heaven and something that you should accept with
gratitude rather that fret yourself into a straight jacket over having to take
a few days off. I am grateful for all
the joyous years I have enjoyed my sport and I am willing to accept that if I
bang my nose of ‘The Wall’ now and again that I should heed the warning.
Yesterday for me was not so
much Valentines day…. not something we have ever celebrated, but it was more a
celebration that on February 14th I was exactly seventy seven and
half years old and with my fingers crossed, I know that I am still a whole lot
fitter that most of my friends from my schooldays, a number of whom have passed
on to more heavenly pastures.
So lastly today, I can
report that I had the most enjoyable swim this morning, a jolly good chat in
the shower and then the changing room with my friend, about what is good on TV
right now; Apple Tree Yard, Taboo, and as light entertainment Elementary. Then
Steve and I took a nice easy paced run afterwards (Knee behaving well), before
going for coffee.
Later I dropped Steve to
work where I marked a couple of crates up with nice neat addresses before they
were picked up to go on their journey the USA. My writing is so much more
readable than Stephen’s is.
No comments:
Post a Comment