On Saturday morning, I decided to do a little alternative cross training. I'm not really interested in the Cycling program that my gym endorses (I prefer Spin ... and really just Janet's and Muse's way about it), and I would like to pick up a few swim lessons before I head into the lap pool. So I did a step / kick class before Power. I don't really know when it happened, but by the time that Power started, I knew my toe was in trouble again.
I took a dose of Naproxen right when I got home, and I was walking around gingerly for the rest of the day. I am NEVER doing step or kick boxing EVER again.
On Sunday, I had my first full hour with George, and it turns out that he really isn't the devil. I thought that he would revise my speed work schedule and go crazy with a crap load of sprints, but he was focused on other things. The program that he wrote up for me is geared on core strength (upon my request based on Janet's recommendation), joint stability, balance and focusing on weaknesses. The focus on weakness completely captivates me, and it actually pulls everything else together.
Everybody favors a leg to kick and the opposite to stand on. I prefer to kick with my right foot and I always plant with my left. With this favoritism, my body has evolved to handle balancing on the left foot, but the right foot poses as a challenge. This has a negative impact my running because I am more susceptible to injury whenever I plant with my right foot on slightly imperfect surfaces. To rectify this situation, a large section of the program is strength conditioning on one foot. So I will be doing some bicep curls, dead lifts, shoulder work, etc with lighter weights on one foot, as well as some one legged push ups. George is particularly excited about the push ups, which is VERY difficult for me. Right now, I can do around ten solid long TWO legged push ups with relatively good form, and I normally go to my knees whenever I need to see fifteen or more push ups in a single go. He has 3 sets of 25 one legged push ups on my program. It isn’t impossible, but it won’t be fun … at all.
During our session, we discovered that I favor using my triceps when doing push ups (when it should be more about biceps), and my hip flexors when running on a hill (when it should be all about the obliques). He isn’t concerned about the push ups too much because the form is still good, but the hip flexor thing is a nuisance. So I’m doing some things on the Bosu to help further develop the oblique muscles, and also to get accustomed to actually using them when running.
All said, I think I will be able to get to Boston next year. The speed will come, especially with my diligent training schedule, but the key component is George helping me becoming more efficient and smarter with my body when running. At this point, it isn’t even about getting to Boston. I’m excited about how running is going to feel when I do it right, and when I can use both legs effectively. I have a feeling that this program is going to change everything.
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