Similarly to last week, my focus is still on the consistency of my training. I haven’t quite managed to get back to where I know I can in terms of the frequency and intensity of my training but then, it’s only week 2.
The week started with my usual BRJ coaching session, week 5 of our 6 weeks on technique. It was a tough session but people walked away saying they really enjoyed the session and I think that always makes a coach or teacher smile. I also had my newest podcast interview put out, which was from the RAWW Podcast by Sarah Freeman.
The Ripple Effect – https://lnns.co/Z-ftCD7ieMO
Tuesday was my usual Personal Training session at the gym. First of all, it was chucking it down with rain enrolee and I arrived at the gym absolutely soaking wet, to the point where I had to take off my t-shirt and leggings and dry them under the hand dryer!
We are still working on function, stability and strength, particularly in my ankles to help minimise falls when I try walking with my crutches. It’s tough but I’m slowly seeing progress and I’m hoping that over time my legs and ankles will find the correct movements ‘normal’ so that even when I’m tired (after swimming for 15+ hours) I can still stand and take a couple of steps out of the water! It’s painful doing it, but I’m determined! It was also the first time since my injury that I was able to use the Ski Erg.
Wednesday was an early start (for me) but it was TOTALLY worth it. I was picked up at 8.45am to head to Tear Drop Lake in Hampton for a swim. It’s a new venue to me, I have never been there before and had never even seen the lake but took a punt on it. We arrived on time and it was quite a walk to get to the entry point but I had my TriRide so it wasn’t an issue for me. Once we got to the entry point I knew it would work well for me; a step down and then there was a wall/bars I could use to help me into the water. I stepped down and the pain was excruciating, it was so bad it made me feel nauseous but after having some internal words with myself I did manage to get in and although it was painful, it felt great and we had a lovely swim for about 15min.
Thursday I needed a rest and caught up with some paper work and writing that I needed to do and Friday was my final day of training for the week. I went to a different pool as I was at the leisure centre for a sports massage. I turned up to discover that the disabled changing room was out of order at that site as well as my usual one. I went to the pool with the aim of a hard but not a long session, it wasn’t about distance. I ended up swimming 1700m but most of it was hard: 200 warm up, 500m of drills followed by 8x100m and then 200m cool down. I was thrilled when I looked back and discovered I had finally managed to get under 2 minutes per 100m on several of the 8 100ms. That was followed by a rather painful but desperately needed Sports Massage with Issac from Ijl Injury Clinic. He loosened up my neck, shoulders and back and although it hurt, it was needed.
The swim on Friday meant that I had swum 4700m over the week so I was planning a swim over the weekend but I ended up in a Fibro Flare and had no energy at all and I just couldn’t bring myself to get up and leave the house. It was disappointing that I hadn’t quite hit the 5km I planned for the week and it was also a reminder that I am not back to my ‘normal’ and still haven’t got the right balance between training and rest right yet. I knew it would take time but it’s frustrating knowing what I am capable of but not being able to do it because my body wont let me. It’s like a constant fight between what I know I can do and what my body is actually going to let me do but then that is the reality of living with multiple chronic illnesses.
I find times where seem to be at the moment one of the most difficult places to be because it’s just so frustrating!
This week, one of the most important things for me isnt hitting 5km over a week, it’s remembering to be kind to myself!