A lot happened since the last time I wrote!
We took possession of our condo early in July, and were working on patching, sanding, priming and painting the entire place. Then we cleaned, and we moved.
It was just my husband and me to load the truck. Fortunately, my brother-in-law came after his work to help unload at the new place. After that, we had to finish up at the other place, clean-up and make it ready for the transfer. Oh well, it is done now. The good thing is, I got some brutal strength and endurance training in! hehe
The past week was hard for me. My body reminded me that I'm not 100% healthy, that I have to stop at some point. I tried to ignore it, but my joints just decided it was enough...At some point I couldn't get up in the morning. I slept 12 hours per night for 3 days, and I'm still sleeping more than usual. My feet, hands and knees were pretty bad. It's almost back to normal now. It's all the walking and carrying heavy stuff, and also holding the paintbrushes that didn't help. So I've been taking my anti-inflammatory, plus Tylenol Arthritis twice daily since we started all of this. Usually, I don't need them...But it had to be done, and we're almost all setup at the new place, so we're good for another year or two! :P
Last week-end was the first week-end without doing anything related to fixing up, cleaning or moving stuff. So I got an open water swim on Saturday, and a very nice Mountain bike ride on Sunday. Except for a couple of easy bike rides between the two condos (about 15 minutes ride), and an easy 1000m in the condo pool to relax, I haven't done anything since July 2!
So on Saturday morning, I had my first swim in a long time. It was awesome! Plus it was my birthday! :) There's no better way to start a day like that! The Ontario lake temperature was much better than the last couple of times I went. No ice cream headaches this time. It was cool and refreshing, and no waves. Although I wish I could practice with some waves, it didn't happen yet.
Sunday we went to Albion Hills, my favorite mtb place in the area. It was hot, but under the trees it was perfect. We went for a couple of singletracks, and I felt much more confident than the last time we went. I had to put the foot down a couple of times, but it wasn't bad at all. And I felt powerful in the hills. I know I'm not back 100%, and I may have lost a small amount of endurance from doing nothing in the past month, but I'm sure it will be back by the end of this week.
So now I'm back into serious training, and regular updates!
Showing posts with label General Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General Health. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
I'll blame it on caffeine...
Caffeine Crash!?!
I didn't swim yesterday. Didn't do yoga, and I still have to kick my behind to at least get my ride in today.
My body is out of sync. My joints are great, even my fingers feel normal lately! But my energy level is down. I'm blaming caffeine.
About two weeks ago, I decided I wanted to get rid of my caffeine addiction. I used to have a big cup (more like 2 cups) of coffee every single day. I know it's not that bad, but as soon as I would spend a day not having coffee, I'd get a crazy strong, handicapping headache, that would go away if I would drink coffee. So I decided I didn't want to depend on my daily coffee to function normally. I tried a couple of days without coffee. Ouch! It really hurts and doesn't stop. I guess I wasn't patient enough with it...
So I decided I would try to drink green tea. It has much less caffeine, compared to coffee (15mg compared to 135mg), but that's depending on how strong you make your tea/coffee. So I suppose I've been making it too strong, because after 1 week of green tea, I still have a headache if I don't drink green tea. Yesterday, I had no caffeine intake. And I was not functional.
I've been doing research and found that bit of information, according to Wiki:
"Withdrawal symptoms—possibly including headache, irritability, an inability to concentrate, and stomach aches—may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from one to five days...may cause feelings of fatigue and drowsiness... A reduction in serotonin levels when caffeine use is stopped can cause anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate and diminished motivation to initiate or to complete daily tasks..."
Yep, except for the anxiety and stomach aches, it sounds like me right now :(
I just have to be patient and wait until the effects go away. It shouldn't take too long. Wiki also confirms that a small dose of caffeine should ease the withdrawal, so I'm going to reduce dramatically the strength of my green tea!
I was able to quit smoking, cold turkey, 6 years ago, so I'm sure I can get rid of my caffeine addiction as well! I love coffee, but at least I'm going to be able to enjoy it on my own terms, instead of needing it!
I didn't swim yesterday. Didn't do yoga, and I still have to kick my behind to at least get my ride in today.
My body is out of sync. My joints are great, even my fingers feel normal lately! But my energy level is down. I'm blaming caffeine.
About two weeks ago, I decided I wanted to get rid of my caffeine addiction. I used to have a big cup (more like 2 cups) of coffee every single day. I know it's not that bad, but as soon as I would spend a day not having coffee, I'd get a crazy strong, handicapping headache, that would go away if I would drink coffee. So I decided I didn't want to depend on my daily coffee to function normally. I tried a couple of days without coffee. Ouch! It really hurts and doesn't stop. I guess I wasn't patient enough with it...
So I decided I would try to drink green tea. It has much less caffeine, compared to coffee (15mg compared to 135mg), but that's depending on how strong you make your tea/coffee. So I suppose I've been making it too strong, because after 1 week of green tea, I still have a headache if I don't drink green tea. Yesterday, I had no caffeine intake. And I was not functional.
I've been doing research and found that bit of information, according to Wiki:
"Withdrawal symptoms—possibly including headache, irritability, an inability to concentrate, and stomach aches—may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from one to five days...may cause feelings of fatigue and drowsiness... A reduction in serotonin levels when caffeine use is stopped can cause anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate and diminished motivation to initiate or to complete daily tasks..."
Yep, except for the anxiety and stomach aches, it sounds like me right now :(
I just have to be patient and wait until the effects go away. It shouldn't take too long. Wiki also confirms that a small dose of caffeine should ease the withdrawal, so I'm going to reduce dramatically the strength of my green tea!
I was able to quit smoking, cold turkey, 6 years ago, so I'm sure I can get rid of my caffeine addiction as well! I love coffee, but at least I'm going to be able to enjoy it on my own terms, instead of needing it!
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Lazy Swim
Yesterday I had a 2500m swimming workout scheduled. Usually, I would go in the morning, right after yoga. But I had a tight schedule and I decided to wait for my husband, who had a scheduled 1 hour swimming when he comes back from work.
We hit the pool around 7:00 pm. I knew before touching the water that it would be hard. Not hard physically, but mentally. I just couldn't push myself to go harder. And I couldn't keep a proper form. It's the first time I felt so lazy in the water. I had to call it a day, and jump back in the whirlpool...It would have been useless to just continue swimming lazily without an acceptable stroke form. So, that was it.
A 300m warmup, 200m fist drill, 200m look forward drill, 300m straight. A loooong 29 minutes 15 seconds 1000m, for a terrible pace of 2:55/100m. Ok, it was mostly drills and warmup, but still, it doesn't look good!
Oh well, at least I did my modified (to give my finger a break) strength training, including legs and core, and also yoga.
Today I have a short bike ride schedule, I should go very soon. I promised I wouldn't go outside with my bike until Sunday, to make sure my right index finger is not too stressed by impacts. So it's indoor training for now.
Talking about my finger...it's a bit better, but it starts to feel like an inflamed tendon, a problem I've had before and where I had to have a cortisone injection right in there (ouch). This is arthritis related, and I guess it's part of the stuff I have to expect from time to time...
At least my morale is good, and we are planning a mtb ride to Albion hills on Sunday (pray for a nice weather!!), where I will be able to try my wetsuit in the lake! Can't wait!
We hit the pool around 7:00 pm. I knew before touching the water that it would be hard. Not hard physically, but mentally. I just couldn't push myself to go harder. And I couldn't keep a proper form. It's the first time I felt so lazy in the water. I had to call it a day, and jump back in the whirlpool...It would have been useless to just continue swimming lazily without an acceptable stroke form. So, that was it.
A 300m warmup, 200m fist drill, 200m look forward drill, 300m straight. A loooong 29 minutes 15 seconds 1000m, for a terrible pace of 2:55/100m. Ok, it was mostly drills and warmup, but still, it doesn't look good!
Oh well, at least I did my modified (to give my finger a break) strength training, including legs and core, and also yoga.
Today I have a short bike ride schedule, I should go very soon. I promised I wouldn't go outside with my bike until Sunday, to make sure my right index finger is not too stressed by impacts. So it's indoor training for now.
Talking about my finger...it's a bit better, but it starts to feel like an inflamed tendon, a problem I've had before and where I had to have a cortisone injection right in there (ouch). This is arthritis related, and I guess it's part of the stuff I have to expect from time to time...
At least my morale is good, and we are planning a mtb ride to Albion hills on Sunday (pray for a nice weather!!), where I will be able to try my wetsuit in the lake! Can't wait!
Monday, June 04, 2007
Rest Day
Last week was great! I followed most of my training schedule, except for my 2nd strength training session. Not that I didn't want to, but that nerve in my hand was pretty bad after my bike ride on Friday so I decided to let it recover.
For the first time since a couple of months I did all my planned swimming workouts! After my 5000m charity swim, I lost some interest in the pool (by lack of goals, or by boredom...probably a bit of both). But since I got my wet suit, it gave me some sort of boost to be consistent with the swimming part of my training. Being consistent with biking is not so hard, as I'm really enjoying it (especially outside!). New straight-swimming pace: 2:03/100m for a 2500m swim. I can't wait to go under 2:00/100m.
Yesterday was the long bike ride, and it was the nicest long ride ever for me. The Becel Ride for Heart is a charity bike ride (my husband and myself chose the 50km route). They close down the highway in Toronto, and it's all bikes! Great landscape, no cars around, lots of people (around 10,000 every year) and an acceptable weather!
It was also my first time doing a mass start on the bike. It wasn't so bad, surely because people were rather relax...it's a ride, not a race! There were just a couple of road racers who were cutting in way too close, flying at high speed through the mob within 1 foot or so from other bikers. This was not really nice and rather frustrating...
Anyway, including yoga, bike, strength and swimming, it's a total of 8 hours and 40 minutes of training for the past week. And that was a recovery week.
Next week: 9 hours and 45 minutes planned. But, I don't think I'll do strength training, as my nerve in my right hand isn't back to normal. I'm starting to think I might need to have it checked...It's not numb anymore, but when I move in certain ways or apply pressure on certain spots, I can feel jolts of electricity in my index finger. It's not painful, but really annoying.
At least riding my mountain bike doesn't affect it, so that's my mountain bike I took for the ride yesterday. Even with my hand being OK, I don't think I would have taken my tri bike. I'm certainly not ready for a mob ride with clipless pedals! He He
For the first time since a couple of months I did all my planned swimming workouts! After my 5000m charity swim, I lost some interest in the pool (by lack of goals, or by boredom...probably a bit of both). But since I got my wet suit, it gave me some sort of boost to be consistent with the swimming part of my training. Being consistent with biking is not so hard, as I'm really enjoying it (especially outside!). New straight-swimming pace: 2:03/100m for a 2500m swim. I can't wait to go under 2:00/100m.
Yesterday was the long bike ride, and it was the nicest long ride ever for me. The Becel Ride for Heart is a charity bike ride (my husband and myself chose the 50km route). They close down the highway in Toronto, and it's all bikes! Great landscape, no cars around, lots of people (around 10,000 every year) and an acceptable weather!
It was also my first time doing a mass start on the bike. It wasn't so bad, surely because people were rather relax...it's a ride, not a race! There were just a couple of road racers who were cutting in way too close, flying at high speed through the mob within 1 foot or so from other bikers. This was not really nice and rather frustrating...
Anyway, including yoga, bike, strength and swimming, it's a total of 8 hours and 40 minutes of training for the past week. And that was a recovery week.
Next week: 9 hours and 45 minutes planned. But, I don't think I'll do strength training, as my nerve in my right hand isn't back to normal. I'm starting to think I might need to have it checked...It's not numb anymore, but when I move in certain ways or apply pressure on certain spots, I can feel jolts of electricity in my index finger. It's not painful, but really annoying.
At least riding my mountain bike doesn't affect it, so that's my mountain bike I took for the ride yesterday. Even with my hand being OK, I don't think I would have taken my tri bike. I'm certainly not ready for a mob ride with clipless pedals! He He
Friday, June 01, 2007
Numb, Numb and Still Numb
I've had my bike for over 6 months now, but I haven't ridden it much outside yet. There was winter, and I did a lot of indoor training, but come spring, I took my mtb out for rides instead of my tri bike, the main reason is that my seat was very uncomfortable. So now I got a new saddle (Fizik) which I love very much, and there's no more reason not to go out with that bike.
I guess I'm a chicken
, I just started using the clipless pedals and that was very scary for me at first. It took me a lot of kicks in the butt to get out there with my tri bike. I love biking, but I'm far from being comfortable, compared to my mtb.
In fact, today was my second time only. Clipless was fine, didn't have a problem and I can really appreciate how useful they are. I didn't talk about my first ride with clipless yet, but that story will be coming soon.
Of course I'm not very confident, and I suppose it's going to take a while. But the main problem is that after only a couple of minutes, my right index finger became numb, especially the tip, and it made me even less confident about controlling my bike. I suppose aero position would be more comfortable, but don't get me started on this one, I'm far from that point right now!
So after a 25 minutes ride only, I came back home.
My finger is still a bit numb now, 2 hours after my ride, and I was wondering what might cause that. If it was my bike fit (and I got a bike fit at my LBS), than I thought I would have felt something in both hands if my weight was too much forward (which I found out is wrong)...I also wear biking gloves with a very good padding.
So I discussed on the Trifuel forum about my problems, and here's the feedback I got.
Problem #1: There might be too much weight on my hands, caused by either my seat angle pointing downwards, or by my handlebars being too low. This could be compressing some nerve.
Problem #2: My grip is too tight. But without confidence, I don't see very much how I can loosen up a bit. Hey, I'm just holding on for dear life here! :p No but seriously, I think I'm a bit too stressed, but you can't blame me, it's a lot of new things at the same time for me!
So, I'll have to experiment a bit I suppose, but I also don't want to damage any nerve. I'm hoping that numbness goes away quickly! I think it's getting better...or am I just getting used to it?
I guess I'm a chicken
, I just started using the clipless pedals and that was very scary for me at first. It took me a lot of kicks in the butt to get out there with my tri bike. I love biking, but I'm far from being comfortable, compared to my mtb.In fact, today was my second time only. Clipless was fine, didn't have a problem and I can really appreciate how useful they are. I didn't talk about my first ride with clipless yet, but that story will be coming soon.
Of course I'm not very confident, and I suppose it's going to take a while. But the main problem is that after only a couple of minutes, my right index finger became numb, especially the tip, and it made me even less confident about controlling my bike. I suppose aero position would be more comfortable, but don't get me started on this one, I'm far from that point right now!
So after a 25 minutes ride only, I came back home.My finger is still a bit numb now, 2 hours after my ride, and I was wondering what might cause that. If it was my bike fit (and I got a bike fit at my LBS), than I thought I would have felt something in both hands if my weight was too much forward (which I found out is wrong)...I also wear biking gloves with a very good padding.
So I discussed on the Trifuel forum about my problems, and here's the feedback I got.
Problem #1: There might be too much weight on my hands, caused by either my seat angle pointing downwards, or by my handlebars being too low. This could be compressing some nerve.
Problem #2: My grip is too tight. But without confidence, I don't see very much how I can loosen up a bit. Hey, I'm just holding on for dear life here! :p No but seriously, I think I'm a bit too stressed, but you can't blame me, it's a lot of new things at the same time for me!
So, I'll have to experiment a bit I suppose, but I also don't want to damage any nerve. I'm hoping that numbness goes away quickly! I think it's getting better...or am I just getting used to it?
Monday, March 05, 2007
Bike Show and Sore Throat
I've had a very nice week-end, including relaxing with my husband, going to the spring bike show and working of course! The bike show was great, and it didn't cost more than $300! My husband bought bike shoes and pedals, and I couldn't resist a bike tank top and a pair of good gloves. We've been really reasonable. Here's my wish list for Easter, or whatever Holiday that would be a good reason to give a gift! (not intended for my husbands, he knows I'm just dreaming a bit here)
-A good saddle
-A wetsuit
-Prescription swimming goggles
-Prescription bike sunglasses
-An aero hydration system
-A tri suit
-A new hrm (mine isn't beeping anymore when I get out of my target zone, I have to borrow my husband's oversized watch)
-I could find more stuff I want easily, but these would probably be my priorities (in order)
Yes, I want all this stuff and yet I didn't train this weekend. At All. Well a 10 minutes fitness evaluation on Saturday if that counts... I've had a sore throat since Friday night. A bad one, on one side only, and the pain is going up to my ear on the same side. I think it's getting better. I tried to get more rest. Anyway, if it's still there tomorrow, I'm going to see the Doc.
I know most people say that if the area affected is over the shoulders you can still train, but I'm not sure if it applies to everybody. My medication lowers my immune system. So I gotta give it all the chances to recover when I'm hit with something. Amazingly, this year is the best year I've ever had. Maybe if you read my previous posts it doesn't sound that great, but believe me, I'm in the best shape I've ever been, and I love it!
-A good saddle
-A wetsuit
-Prescription swimming goggles
-Prescription bike sunglasses
-An aero hydration system
-A tri suit
-A new hrm (mine isn't beeping anymore when I get out of my target zone, I have to borrow my husband's oversized watch)
-I could find more stuff I want easily, but these would probably be my priorities (in order)
Yes, I want all this stuff and yet I didn't train this weekend. At All. Well a 10 minutes fitness evaluation on Saturday if that counts... I've had a sore throat since Friday night. A bad one, on one side only, and the pain is going up to my ear on the same side. I think it's getting better. I tried to get more rest. Anyway, if it's still there tomorrow, I'm going to see the Doc.
I know most people say that if the area affected is over the shoulders you can still train, but I'm not sure if it applies to everybody. My medication lowers my immune system. So I gotta give it all the chances to recover when I'm hit with something. Amazingly, this year is the best year I've ever had. Maybe if you read my previous posts it doesn't sound that great, but believe me, I'm in the best shape I've ever been, and I love it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
