Stretching yes that's right stre--t--c---hhh

[smilingcat]

It's not my favorite thing. After years of riding my bike, my ham string is so tight that I can't sit on the floor with my legs stretched out front and my back against the wall. I can't get to 90 degrees between my stretched out leg and my back against the wall. Is it from cycling? I don't know. Maybe its something else.

I also seem to have lost my ability to touch my foot with my nose. forget about getting my foot over my head. nope nada no way...

I used to be able to do these things. What happened?

I don't want to end up like my parents. It's one of my morbid fear: be so tight and inflexible like them, like a sea horse. So I've been forcing my self to spend at least 30 minutes in the morning, still half asleep to stretch my body out. I hope I can regain some flexibility. Quiet of the morning, still dark outside. Seems like everything is still slow and relaxed. It puts me in the right mood to stretch.

I hope your training involves stretching as well and not just core strength, cycling specific strength training and aerobics.

All good I guess to listen to your body.

[ridebikeme]

Well, this year I am having the same issue!! I too, used to be very flexible but now have pain in my hips even during sleep. I'ev thought for quite some time that my IT band was super tight, so have been stretching early in the AM, quick short stretches at work ( I stand all day) and again at night. It definitely has helped, although obvioulsy it's more useful AFTER I've either rode the trainer or been xc skiing. Of course, that's simply a given

I hope that your stretching helps and thanks for sharing!

[Veronica]

I've been using Spinervals Yoga for Triathletes a couple times a week for a few years now. When we had company over the holidays, I didn't use it and boy could I tell.

Veronica

[withm]

I also seem to have lost my ability to touch my foot with my nose. forget about getting my foot over my head. nope nada no way...

I used to be able to do these things. What happened?

Too many birthdays?

[emily_in_nc]

I can't recommend yoga highly enough for these issues! I've been practicing yoga here in Belize for around a year now, and while I still have some hamstring tightness, I have gained an incredible amount of flexibility all over my body -- hips, shoulders, back, etc.. It helps with strength as well, not bulky strength, but long, lean muscles. If you look around an intermediate yoga practice, you'll see a lot of slender, toned bodies with excellent posture, a testament to the results of the regular practice of yoga.

There is a woman here in her early 70s who takes class with me, and she can totally whip my butt on all the poses. She's been practicing for around 7 years, and her flexibility and strength are equivalent to someone decades younger. She made me a believer! So, no, the problem is not "too many birthdays", the problem is lack of use & stretching. It's never too late to start.

Even if you don't care for the spiritual aspects of yoga, the body changes it will bring are undeniable. I'm 51 and a convert!

[OakLeaf]

As I've posted in the running thread, well-cued yoga seems to be the last piece in my recovery. I can't emphasize the importance of a highly-trained teacher (Iyengar and Anusara disciplines pay a great deal of attention to alignment) - in avoiding and healing from injuries. Strengthening muscles in eccentric lengthening, wow, there's nothing like it.

[Swan]

I certainly wouldn't want to do yoga without a trainer (something we have a distinct lack of here), but I'm all for adding stretches to the daily routine! That early morning hour does seem like the perfect time to get it done.