Stretching & Sciatica
Sciatica is really annoying because one of the effects it has on me is it makes me feel like I'm not in full control of my body.
It's a nerve irritation which has generally plagued my right leg, going down my lower back and wrapping round my thigh and going down the back of my calve and shin. In bad times when it was at its worse, I would have constant pins and needless which drove me round the bend, and dead leg syndrome when I sat down for too long.
It got on my nerves. Ha.
Ever since I started working on my core, I have felt less irritation in my sciatic nerves and I generally feel like my body is holding itself up. When I first started stretching before and after workouts, I would sometimes feel a sharp twinge in my right shin when I reached towards my right leg. I hated this feeling. Granted I knew I was inflexible but the twinge made me feel like someone took a needle and poked me really suddenly in my shin. Yearrgh.
But the more I stretch and the more I keep this up, the more I feel like I am improving. This week, I reached over to pull myself towards my right foot and guess what?
No twinge. Hurrah!!!!
I've kicked Sciatica in the ass. Big fat hairy woot! :)
Travel Woes
There shouldn't be a lot to complain about when you get to see the world.
But if there was one thing that gets my goat, it is that the disruption of one's personal pattern.
This could be a good thing to some of course - a chance to break the cycle and get things sorted out. But for me, it can be bad - especially when it comes to keeping a fitness routine up. I've been doing fairly well with daily morning Muay Thai so not having been able to get my workouts out of the way before work yesterday and today has left me feeling a bit frustrated.
I tried going to the gym earlier but I'd stupidly forgotten my skipping rope and didn't pack my trainers and well, it was just a downright failed attempt. I ended up joining the boss and other work associates down at the bar before dinner instead.
And what's up with being on the road and drinking? Somehow the alcohol just doesn't work. I've had quite a few this evening and I don't feel a thing. It's as if my body is refusing to acknowledge the presence of any of the alcohol.
Really looking forward to class on Friday morning!
The long road to getting in fightshape
About a month ago, Hubba and I signed up with Evolve MMA to get back in shape.
We'd gone for a long enough time as lazy beer-guzzling slobs and the inactivity was really taking its toll on our bodies. Busy with work and school, my Bruce Banner was showing his green Hulk-like side more and more often, and my own emotions were going a little haywire with the twinges in my weak back. We'd really reached the stage where enough was enough, both of us needed something that would get us going again, provide us with some motivation to keep fit, but yet with the most effective use of our time.
I needed to work on my core strength, Hubba needed to blow off steam. We both needed to get fit. Going back to martial arts was the common ground that we seemed to find ourselves at.... So, we shook on it.
This year, I focus on making me strong and healthy in body and mind again.
It's been just over three weeks and already I feel like a different person.
Muay Thai is almost like ballet - My body is starting to think about form, I feel a lot more conscious of my posture and my muscle memory seems to be returning. The early morning classes are such a great way to start the day and by the time I get to work, I feel light, refreshed and ready to (kick)start my day. Hubba and I have been doing class at 6.30am so that leaves us some time to have breakfast together before we both go to work - This is giving us more quiet time to share before he needs to go bonkers with work and school. He leaves feeling like his head is clear too, so it's really doing us both a world of good.
Fightshape is getting more and more satisfying. After my first class, I could barely move. All my muscles got up from their 2-year hibernation period. The instructors are really helping my back recover and now the more I go, the quicker I recover. I am not aching anymore and I can now do things like stoop over and bathe my doggies without my back aching. I feel as good as new! Of course, I'm constantly listening to how I feel so if I get a bit tired or I feel something is up, I don't push it. But generally, I feel like I've made such great progress. And it feels fantastic!
I'd really like to give BJJ a go as well. Akan Datang.
Long way to go man, here begins my journey. Watch this space.
** If you do decide to check the guys out at Evolve, tell them I referred you to score some extra goodies :) - You'll have to say Janice Lee Fang at the Far East Square gym though coz none of them know about this blog. Ha!
In Need of a Hit…. of Adrenalin
A couple of weeks ago, Hubba raced the Safra Avventura 2010 with my bike bud, Angela.
It was a race I'd been eyeing since the 3rd quarter of last year but that I knew I had to absolutely rule out once I got told I had a slipped disc. Gutted was I indeed so I kept quiet and didn't bother talking to Hubba about racing it with me. Then as luck would have it, a slot opened up when Angie's race buddy couldn't make it at the last minute. So suddenly, there were two Sotongs racing :)
Needless to say I felt so envious that Hubba was racing - I wanted to go too! But in truth, I was also glad he was finally getting out there in the sun and doing some running around. He's been so cooped up of late 'coz of everything he has got on his plate. Fellow supporter Chancho and I drove around using Google Latitude to try to locate our two wandering Sotongs, who were trying to stay in touch with us via iphone. The weather was scorching and there wasn't much shade available, so we stopped at 7-Eleven and stocked up with goodies to help our Sotongs sustain!
And to be honest, it felt good just being out there and watching my friends race and come in with smiles (albeit strained ones) on their faces.
fellow supporter and best hanger-0utter-with chancho mancho
well done, guys!
a girlie shot - you can't even tell who raced and who didn't
If there's one thing I've realized throughout all that's happened in the past few months, it's that I'm not giving up on the dream. I want to jump off bridges again, to scale walls and waterfalls and flying fox into rivers and stuff again. I really miss it all. The adrenalin, the fun, the company of friends amid adversity, the satisfaction of crossing a finishing line and all that jazz. There's a part of me that'll remember those moments with much fondness, and who knows.... that part of me also hopes to make more of those moments!
Action Asia, please come back to Singapore?!!!
action asia, 2006
So Beautiful
"People often think that discipline is the absence of laziness. But to me, discipline is the will and mental strength to overcome the presence of laziness."
- A quote by Yoddecha Sityodtong aka Lui in his interview with Men's Health
Trail Tracks
I've come to realize over the years that hard pumping, heart thumping music isn't necessarily the best companion to a hard pumping, heart thumping workout.
More often than not, it is the slower, more down tempo tracks that do you good when you're huffing and puffing - Serves as a pacer of sorts, so you can keep going in the most efficient manner possible.
I'm in no way race fit at the moment but this still served true this morning when I was out on the trail. How's this for a good playlist?
- Free - The Martinis
- Shake Some Action - Cracker
- Hello - Poe
- Do You Sleep - Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
- As Long As It Matters - Gin Blossoms
- Is This Real - Lisa Hall
- How Soon Is Now? - Love Spit Love
- Labour of Love - Frente
- Siren - Tori Amos
- End it On This - No Doubt
- I Don't Want To Live Today - Ape Hangers
- Angry Johnny - Poe
- In My Ear - Toad The Wet Sprocket
- Nowhere & Everywhere - Michelle Lewis
- Ordinary Angels - Frente
- How - Lisa Loeb
Just keep swimming
Swimming is supposed to be great for you back - And I sure felt it in Bali. Whilst most people would fix themselves with massages or reflexology, I'd just hit the pool and do laps for an instant fix.
The only thing about this sport is that it can be incredibly boring because all you do is go from right to left. There is nothing to look at aside from broken tiles or debris in the pool (which you pray you won't see for water quality's sake), and even if you've got company there's no way to interact with the person next to you (without swallowing a ton of water). For the longest time, even in my tri days, I thought about how cool it would be to have a underwater mp3 player. It'd sure make the time fly by faster!
So my sweet Hubba ordered me one online for Christmas!
I tested it out today and the sound quality is really fantastic. Whilst it sounds a little bit monotone above water, it goes into full stereo once you're submerged. I did my first paddle of the year with Scott Mills, Chappers and Becky keeping me company. Love, love, love! No more excuses not to swim anymore - Even more therapy for my back! Hurrah!
And the wheels go round…
If there's one thing I've missed more than anything in the past few months of inactivity, it's being on the saddle with the wind on my face and meaningful thoughts in my head.
About three months ago, I was diagnosed with a degenerated L5 disc a.k.a. slipped disc. Naturally, this was really upsetting and I was immediately advised to halt all impactful activity. The compressed disc also led to a condition called Sciatica, which generally irritated some of the nerves leading down to my right foot. I often found my right leg falling asleep and I constantly had pins and needles down my leg. It was so uncomfortable that for the first few weeks, I found myself spending a lot of time in bed.
Thankfully, I was dealing with a sports doctor, orthopaedic surgeon and physiotherapist who were all very encouraging about my recovery and realistic as to how to deal with the injury. First, I was put on total rest which was immensely frustrating. But they all knew I would want to get back to a good level of activity as soon as possible. I was also given a long course of nerve medication, anti-inflammatories and regular physiotherapy.
To cut the long story short, I didn't do jack for yonks.
I had even thought of selling my road bike so there would be more room in the house. But I'm so glad that I didn't! Right before the new year, the ortho surgeon gave me the green light to start exercising! And what a great new year's gift that was too. I had already started swimming in Bali and was very ready to take it easy on the bike and run front, but his actual words were: "5% of your back has been compromised, but you still have 95%. So go ahead and start cycling and running! Just know your limits and listen to your body. As soon as your back starts feeling a little tired, you'll know when to stop."
He said I didn't need to see him anymore for the time being, and that made me oh, so very happy! (Even though he was really a very nice man.)
So today was the first time back on the road, and boy did I feel the effects of the last three inactive months (plus all the good food and drink from the festivities). But you know what, it felt good to be out there! Never mind that my legs were heavy and I spun super slowly up climbs, I was out. I was riding. The view was gorgeous and I thought about all the good times I have had cycling.
I know I probably won't be running or racing much anymore, but it's nice to know there's still something that I love that I still can do. And I want to keep doing it, no matter what.
Roll on…
It's been very frustrating being so inactive of late - So we took the fixies out for a little spin with Ran & Meow on Saturday before chowing down a whole lotta yummies.
Ahh... These are what great weekends are made of.
Protected: …
Days Gone By
Wandering Eye
