The back stretch

[Wahine]

Actually, no major freak outs today.

I had a good swim this AM, did a little butterfly and some other stroke work. All's good in the swim department.

My hip is still tight from the long run yesterday. If It's still tight tomorrow...then I'll freak out!! Tonight I'm doing some yoga and working with The Stick.

www.thestick.com

I love that thing.

SIL is here visiting which helps to take my mind off of things.

But now I'm starting to freak out because I should be in bed sleeping!!

[Tri Girl]

Get some sleep, Wahine! You need your rest...

Loved the pics- sooo pretty up there! You look like a tough iron chick!

[Running Mommy]

Wahine do you have an ART guy (or girl ) in your neck of the woods? Sounds like a little tightness from the load. May need to loosen up some of that fascia tissue in there.
The stick is good, so are tennis balls. Or your partners elbow.

[Wahine]

Ya know, we do have an ART person in the vicinity. I work at a manual therapy clinic and I would ask my partner to help me out but we're so busy here right now, I'd hate to add to his work load. I might have to call in a favour elsewhere.

My hip is actually better this AM but my calves are tight. So I've been stickin' 'em and stretching etc, much better than first thing this AM.

I was going to ride today but I think it's a yoga day instead.

I'm starting to get "easily distractable Taper brain" now. Also known as Monkey brain. I hate it when that happens. It makes it so hard for me to focus on my paperwork and then it takes me longer to do it and then I don't get home as early......

Off to make some phone calls.

[Veronica]

Focus, Grasshopper!

V.

[Wahine]

Mentally, I want nothing more than to go out and do a short, high intensity brick. RIGHT NOW!!

But I know I didn't get enough sleep over the last few days and my hip was ery mildly sore right up until this morning and my calves were tight until today. (Left over from long tempo run on Wed).

So I called my coach to get his take and he's not available. Aaaaaaarrrrggh!

So now I'm hanging around my house, no one's here. I'm spinning my wheels and I can't decide what to do.

The advantage of doing the work out is that it will calm me down and help me carbo load. The disadvantage is that it may irritate my hip again and I have 7 days until the race. That's not a lot of recovery time if I actually set up an inflammatory response.

I could just ride. That would not irritate my hip. Or I could run but on the track, no hills etc.

I think I'll do littel yoga to reassess how my body feels and decide.

Right now, I'm literally vibrating. Think jack russell on caffeine.

[kelownagirl]

Yoga sounds like a good idea. I know nothing about training and tapering but rest or a very easy ride sounds like the best idea to me.

[Starfish]

www.thestick.com
I love that thing.

Hey, I started a new line of work this week, so have been largely away from TE. I LOVE this thread! It is so exciting. I am SOOoooo impressed by your 7 hour time for 110 miles with 8500 feet. Truly amazing.

I have never tried The Stick, but recently a friend gave me a product that I am LOVING. She got it at Costco for 10.00. Called The Miracal Ball Method, it is just two rubber balls and a little book of instructions. The balls are about the size of large grapefruit, but much softer than tennis balls (which are way, way too hard for me).

I have been doing a 20 minute routine with these balls from my hamstring insertion points, my pelvis, my whole back, my shoulders, and my neck. You don't roll around on them, you just position them and then deep breathe and relax into the pressure for 2-3 minutes per spot. Huge results for me, both physically and energetically.

Wahine, we are behind you all the way. Your taper will work, you will be ready, and when race day comes, your sluggishness and nerves will fall away, and the results of your careful training are going to blast through it all. You are going to have a whole raft of supporters along with you every step of the way, cheering you on!!! You absolutely ROCK, woman!!