Getting back into the swing of things

This week I was due back to see Cathy my physio on Wednesday, she had given me some exercises and stretches to do in the week between appointments, which I had been working on every day, twice a day. I also got itchy feet resting my hip from running so took the opportunity to get into the gym and work on my core and a bit of cross training.

On Sunday morning my sister Helen and I had arranged a swim at our gym. This is only a small pool, so suited me really well. I haven't been in a pool for years and was never a confident swimmer after a couple of near misses as a child so have been apprehensive about trying it out again. I didn't mention this to Helen, she would have told me to get on with it, so that’s what I did, I just got in and started swimming. Now, when I say swimming, I actually mean swimming like my mom, head out of the water and not getting my hair wet! So technically it wasn't really swimming, just moving slowly up and down in the water! One of my running buddies Jo called on Wednesday and asked if I fancied a swim, so off I went, crapping myself as this is a swim in the big pool!! I thought I might get a little bit of sympathy at least out of Jo, but when I freaked out after realising how deep the water was once I had swum into the deep end, I was simply told not to panic, it will be shallow when I swim back. Yeah, thanks! Another 40 minutes of Mom swimming, better than nothing though right??

Monday evening saw my second spin class in a week, I love this class, it's really easy to ease off during these classes without others noticing, but then what would be the point?? The class is only 45 minutes long, so is a good opportunity to really sweat it out and get my heart rate up. The class was brilliant fun, although there was a really grumpy women in there that barked at the instructor before the class had started.....RUDE!!
I also thought it would be a good idea to break out the Davina DVD again, it was not! Even though it was good fun and damn hard work, I couldn't walk properly the next day, and getting on and off the loo was, well let’s say interesting!!

My appointment with Cathy went well, well sort of. The pain in my hip had gone, so she didn't see the need to strap me up again, which was fine. She was also pleased at the progress that I had made this week as I had doubled the time that I could hold a bridge for without my hamstrings kicking in, although she was pleased she made it clear that I still needed to improve. I still had my target of 3x30 seconds to work on. She spent some time explaining how my glutes work and how my speed would improve by running through my glutes which was really interesting and gives me something to work on. Cathy also showed me some core training exercises and gave me some useful tips such as changing my car seat around so I don't slouch, but the most important thing I was waiting for was that I could run again. Now, she has told me to be sensible, not a word I am familiar with but I will do as I am told! Promise!

So, Thursday saw my return to Regency Runners, I had only had a week and a half out but it felt like ages, and was good to be back!! I decided to go with the 10k group as I only wanted to run 3 miles, and just see how the hip would hold out; the regular runners were doing 4.8 miles so I didn't think this would be a wise decision, so 3 miles it was. The good thing about this was that even though I was running with the group, I would be carrying on when they started their Indian file, so I could run 2 of the miles on my on, and give my legs a bit of a stretch out....for a slowie! I was so pleased with the run, no hip pain for the whole 3 miles, and an average speed of 11.20, which for me is good. It was also a little hilly for the first 2 miles, which anyone that I run with will tell you that I hate!! I got home that night very smug, then managed 20,20,24 with my bridges, so all in all a good day.

Saturday I managed to get those 3x30 seconds bridges in the bag, even with cheeky leg extentions for the last few seconds, excellent! So I thought I would then try out a plank. The last time I tried one of these I collapsed in a heap after only 3 seconds, which was only 2 weeks ago, so I was not expecting very much. I got 20 seconds, I was chuffed with that. Next week I'll be doing 30 seconds, and pushing for 40, I promise you that!

Sunday is usually long run day, but this week Regency Runners were doing the Jepherson Medley intervals. I had never done this session but thought it would do me good so I arranged to go down with Jo, we ran down and around the park which was 2 miles. The intervals were hard work, but good fun. Even though they were really hard, the hills were my favourite. This was where I could really feel the benefit of the work that I had been doing on my glutes, and was able to really push up the hills just by squeezing my bum, rather than my arms and shoulders going ten to the dozen and not getting anywhere!! Which is what usually happens!! In total I ran 4.6 miles this morning, so building it up slowly as instructed!

So even though this week has really seen my mileage drop down I can see a big improvement in my form, in fact both Rachel and Lina (Regency Runners Leaders) commented that I had got faster and my form had improved, which was a big mental boost. I am still being sensible so this week I thought I would try a 5 mile on Tuesday and then go from there, I'm keeping in the spin classes, swimming and of course the core work so I am hoping for further improvement this week.