The back stretch

**Running Mommy** · 08-17-2007, 06:55 AM

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** · 08-17-2007, 10:18 AM

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** · 08-17-2007, 11:08 AM

Focus, Grasshopper!

V.

**Wahine** · 08-18-2007, 08:37 AM

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** · 08-18-2007, 09:33 AM

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** · 08-18-2007, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Wahine

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!!

**LBTC** · 08-18-2007, 09:57 AM

Ah, Wahine! I can't say I know exactly how you feel, but I kind of do.....wanting to do something you know you can't/shouldn't - I'm very familiar with this.

Yoga is a great idea. And after that, can you borrow someone's dog? Does taking a dog for a nice stroll through the woods sound like a good idea? It's still active, but you can do it without much effort, and dogs really do some amazing things to reduce mental agitation...... I know you're thinking of getting a dog once the IM is over. Do any of the shelters in your area allow you to take a dog on a "test drive"?

Just a thought.

Otherwise, just hang out with us. We'll keep you entertained!!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

**teigyr** · 08-18-2007, 10:45 AM

Where is the IM? Am trying to figure out except for I know Western Canada

Have never seen one and have nothing scheduled for that day. I've read so much about your preparation to go into it, I know you will do awesome. It's sad that the taper week gives you so much time to think though, sometimes thinking is just BAD!

**Veronica** · 08-18-2007, 10:47 AM

You gotta relax. You KNOW an intense workout is not the right thing today.

How about an easy swim?

V.

**LBTC** · 08-18-2007, 11:08 AM

Teigyr - IM Canada is in Penticton, BC http://www.penticton.ca/maps/regionmap.asp

And that's about a 45 minutes drive (depending on traffic on the bridge) from where KG lives, and about an hour and a half drive from where we are.

~T~

**teigyr** · 08-18-2007, 02:07 PM

Thanks LBTC. Was just one of those ideas but it seems too far for a day trip.

I'll just wish Wahine well from afar!

**LBTC** · 08-18-2007, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by teigyr

Thanks LBTC. Was just one of those ideas but it seems too far for a day trip.

I'll just wish Wahine well from afar!

From Seattle, I agree - too far for one day, but a weekend trip could work for you. If you wanted to come as far north as Vernon, you'd have a place to stay

H&B
~T~

**Wahine** · 08-18-2007, 08:15 PM

Thanks ladies. I ended up going for a 45 min ride, enough to blow out the cobwebs but not enough to make me tired at all. then I wanted to go for a short run. I decided to stick with the track so I could stop at any point and not be far from the car and it's flat, not easy to find around here. I got to the track and they were resurfacing, so that decision was made for me.

This afternoon was white water rafting trip for a friend's 50th b-day. FUN!! And totally occupied my mind with something else.

So, in true taper fashion I've gone from anxiety laden this AM to totally chilled and confident tonight. I hate this roller coaster but it's all part of the game.

Thanks for thinking of me. And special thanks to you girls considering coming out. Tigre, as much as it would be great to see you there, it is a long trip and I know that you're sending me good wishes.

Tomorrow and Monday are "black drape" days as the coach calls them. I'm supposed to lay low and sleep a lot. That'll be interesting.

Be prepared for a whole new freakout tomorrow.

**Tri Girl** · 08-19-2007, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by Wahine

So, in true taper fashion I've gone from anxiety laden this AM to totally chilled and confident tonight. I hate this roller coaster but it's all part of the game.

But a part of the game that I don't love... When I was tapering, I was soooo emotional. Scatterbrained like nothing else (had to make lists all the time for the stupidest things so I wouldn't forget), cry at the drop of a hat- sheesh- I thought I was losing my mind.
Not looking forward to the next IM taper..

We're right here with you, ladybug! If we could all be there- you know we would! We'll be all over cheering you on as loud as we can.

Get some rest the next couple days and take it easy. How far do you have to travel for the race?

**Running Mommy** · 08-19-2007, 07:16 AM

memories..... sweet memories...

And to think I'll be doing the SAME thing next April! Of course my freak out will prolly have something to do with weather too!

I hope you are RELAXING today! It is literally down to the wire. Those niggles need to be gone, so you need to give the bod some extra tlc.
No more anxiety induced bricks missy!!

You must cchhhiiilllllllll...........

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