It is amazing how a tweaked back can really shut down the ability to do serious training. My lower back has been giving me nice, painful, little spasms for the last few days. Last night when I started my swim I got hit with a spasm about 5 strokes into my first lap. I had the sudden thought, "This is the kind of thing that could drown me in deep water." It was only debilitating for a moment. Since I was doing the breast stroke, which makes me arch my back a bit more, I switched to backstroke and it was okay. I alternated backstroke and crawl for the first 10 laps, then gingerly added breast stroke once I felt warmed up. The rest of the swim was uneventful, mostly, and I thought maybe I had managed to work out the kinks. Adding an upper body workout to the evening might have been a bit over the top, but it is my regular Saturday evening routine. The short swims forced by the pool air quality have been enough of a disruption, I wasn't going to skip my strength training as well. I did skip the heavy bent over row, and upright row though. See, I can be sensible-ish. But in retrospect, maybe I should have done Yoga or Tai Chi instead.
Today though, damn. Not only did I wake to a back that was really angry, but my stomach was painful and cramping. Not so very bueno, if you ask me. Totally shot my morning workout agenda to crap. Sunday is my day for heavy leg work. I tried rosemary tea, with no success. Finally ate two scrambled eggs because despite the pain I was getting hungry. Finally, about noon, I decided that one important aspect of training that I tend to scrimp on is rest. So since I wasn't achieving anything at all, I might as well take a nap. Glory be to the gods of rest, at least my stomach simmered down after a nice 1-1/2 hour sleep.
I am still pretty grumpy with my back, wondering what I can do to loosen things up. Later this evening I think Tai Chi is on the agenda. For now all I can do is take it easy, and feel disgruntled. But at least I had a great nap.
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