Sore Core
(Disclaimer: My abs look absolutely nothing like that guy’s on the right.)
On the advice of Mike and Wil (and Sara, albiet after the fact :) ), I decided to add some core work to my routine. It didn’t feel like much at the time, but I have some soreness in both my abs and lower back so I guess it did something? It’s been a long time since I ever did any real core work, but now is as good a time to start as any.
Tonight was another successful ride on the trainer. I think bike fitness must come back the quickest. My heart rate is still elevated on the bike, but my butt is used to the saddle for the most part and the power in my legs feels like it’s returning rather quickly. Or at least for the short duration trainer rides that I’ve been doing lately. I still don’t like riding the trainer, but what can you do.
Tomorrow is supposed to be my “long” run of 4+ miles, but I actually cheated and did that yesterday. Probably wasn’t the best idea, but I was feeling good and had a moment of weakness, I guess. Towards the end, my ankles were getting a little achy. I’m guessing my calves and Achilles aren’t ready for upping the volume quite yet. I’ll need to pay some extra attention to stretching my calves and soleus muscles and probably start doing some calf raises as well.
I’m in that mode where I’m starting to make some fitness gains. Workouts are starting to be more fun and don’t have that gasping for air feel like they did a few weeks ago. I’m slowly starting to remember what it was like to be in shape which is dangerous for me because this is the time I usually get hurt. I push too hard, too soon. I’ve got to remind myself that it’s still only January and that I still have yet to complete one full prep phase. “Patience is a virtue” and “slow and steady wins the race” and all that stuff.
I really need to start working on my fourth discipline too. :(