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A New Gameplan

I was planning to pay the doctor a visit yesterday but I decided otherwise. You see, I was simply planning to bombard the doctor with all the unanswered questions in my head such as “What am I going to do now? I’m gaining weight by the second!” or “Why did you tell me to run when I ended up limping after Clark?” But, after Monday’s therapy session, I pretty much got my enlightenment from the gracious therapist who answered all my queries.

This is what I learned about my injury from my therapist:

- My doctor did not stop me from running since, like I said, I only need strengthening and stretching exercises. But, since the pain seems to worsen after a run or even a treadmill walk, the therapist told me to resist the temptation until we’re sure I am fully recovered. As a mature, disciplined woman I nodded in agreement (but that’s after I dreamed of slapping her in the face. Kidding!)

- Those 5-minute bike warm-ups at the gym aggravated the injury (so that’s why I would limp my way out of the locker room everytime! Duh!) I was advsied to do none of the cardio machines at the gym: treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical. I can take that. They kinda bore me to death anyway.

- The only cardio I’m allowed to indulge in is (drum roll please): swimming.

Somehow, that last therapy session helped pull me out of the confused, injured state I was in and gave me a clearer vision of what I should be doing to get out of this rut. I’m a lot more hopeful now. Plus, I’m feeling great since I have felt no pain for the past couple of days.

Yesterday, I pretty much laid out my game plan for the month to help me stay fit despite the injury.

CARDIO: Swimming (4x a week)
STRENGTH: Weights at the gym (2x a week)
STRETCHING: Yogilates at home (2x a week), Squats plus other exercises ordered by PT (daily)

If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what will. Here’s to a wet and wild month ahead!

Posted on 01.30.08 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: , , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 30 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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30 Responses to “A New Gameplan”

  1. wow, that’s a busy schedule – swimming 4x a week!

    i love swimming but it takes so much time, what with the before and after preparations. don’t forget to apply the sunblock 30 min before jumping into the pool.

    go for it, you can do it! hoping for your speedy recovery!

    bealtea said on Jan 30 08 at 10:44 AM Reply

  2. Woooohooooo!!!!!!!!! TRAP’s Beginner’s Tri na toh!
    :)

    ben said on Jan 30 08 at 10:59 AM Reply

  3. i guess this is nature’s way of introducing you to the wonderful world of triathlon. I know I will see you soon at the races.

    Levy said on Jan 30 08 at 1:58 PM Reply

  4. Swim?! Swim?! . The only time i go swimming if im lazy to take a bath. sorry, but seriously now im not trying to make contra but use your better judgement also. Doctors are good but sometimes you just have to experiment on what works and what dosent. maybe a simple knee wrap or tape will be the solution i dont know but try all alternatives. i feel for you girl. 1 day off is ok , 2days off tolerable but 3 days off i comit murder and most of all Pray. good luck

    patrick concepcion said on Jan 30 08 at 5:13 PM Reply

  5. Dont dispair. One another thing about strength training and yoga, they raise your heart rate to an efficient fat-burning zone. You will burn more stored fat than carbo. Just make sure you adjust your diet accordingly. Hold off from big pasta meals. Wishing you stronger hams, quads and a faster course to recovery.

    Tina said on Jan 31 08 at 8:21 AM Reply

  6. That is a new sub species… The Bull Swimmer. Have fun in the pool!

    Mark P said on Jan 31 08 at 9:41 AM Reply

  7. hmm… it seems to me that what’s probably troubling you is muscular in nature. you probably pulled something causing some strain. The only real cure for this would be to rest and allow your body to heal. i have a feeling you’ll come out better and stronger after this ordeal. you have a chance to develop other parts of your body and i think it’ll make you a more effective runner! rest up!

    joe said on Jan 31 08 at 10:01 AM Reply

  8. It always feels good to have a plan – always hope in a plan. All that stuff will make you a stronger, faster runner anyway once you get back to running. Swimming is also tough anyway, there’s so much technique involved and the learning curve is not gentle. I’m sure you’ll have your hands full with that.

    As for your comment on my post, you got me! I like putting up pictures to entice other runners to come and run our streets and trails. Hey if you and the family are ever in town lemme know.

    rick said on Jan 31 08 at 10:59 AM Reply

  9. Hi, bull runner. I am from Clark and did join the recent marathon here as well. What kind of injury you have now? In my case, it is shin splints on my lower left leg. It’s so frustrating as I have researched practically all websites on this one. It keeps recurring. Unfortunately, the scarcity of doctors on sports medicine here in the Philippines unlike in other countries aggravates the situation. Do you mind referring me to your therapist? Thanks.

    By the way, I like the way you write. You have character.

    KEEP RUNNING!!!

    atty. jon said on Jan 31 08 at 1:25 PM Reply

  10. I have been running for six years now. Avoid pavements that is what I learned. They will slowly kill your legs even if you are a Kenyan.

    But you know nothing beats plain old running. Transcendental.

    Cheers!

    atty. jon said on Jan 31 08 at 1:28 PM Reply

  11. I can imagine how frustrated you must feel. But don’t give up. Athletes go through trials like these-Naks!

    Mayi said on Jan 31 08 at 5:48 PM Reply

  12. hey jaymie! i suggest you take formal swimming lessons na din if you really want to incorporate it in your game plan…kaya lang a word of caution -the chlorine can really dry up your skin and hair…i got skin allergies pa nga eh:-( but swimming’s a great way to get your cardio high and to keep your mind sane as you take your sabbatical from running…good luck!!!!

    Mary715 said on Jan 31 08 at 8:12 PM Reply

  13. Hooray for swimming! But, I say that because I love to be in the water. I hope you are able to enjoy it and get your body back to healthy working order!

    Nora said on Jan 31 08 at 9:41 PM Reply

  14. Jaymie,
    i had an accident during cross training/ biking in 1985.
    i fell from my racer bike during downhill at nagtahan bridge, my left clavicle bone cracked, i was put in cast for 1 month. buti na lang bata pa ako then, fast healing?
    my only exercise was . . . . . sit-ups !
    kaya OK lang yan, lahat naman nagkakaroon ng injury.
    wake up call yan, next time alam mo na . . . take good care of your body, look out for signs and symptoms.

    Keep on Trainin’
    mandie

    mandie said on Feb 01 08 at 5:57 AM Reply

  15. You might be interested with a Total Immersion class at San Agustin School at Dasma Village(near fort). I have a feeling you’ll eventually be competing in tri races. hehe… that’l be cool…

    Taki said on Feb 01 08 at 11:29 AM Reply

  16. Bea, you’re right! I take it back—maybe 2-3x will do. I’m not as crazy about swimming as I am about running…at least not yet. Haha.

    Ben, easy lang! I haven’t even biked yet. My last bike was a bright pink BMX from my brothers when I was in gradeschool. I think I have to upgrade first :)

    Levy, yup that’s where I’m headed in the long run!

    Patrick, yes I’m going insane without a run but there’s really no other option but to rest for now.

    bullrunner said on Feb 01 08 at 11:51 AM Reply

  17. hi br, i gave myself a year when i started running before i’d join my first road(running) race, that was, on top of 20 years of recreational and fitness cycling. running is now my primary sport with cycling as just a supplement. gave up cycling in 1997 since i couldn’t risk any more accidents at my age(56 now) and just got fed up dealing with motor vehicles. i would not even dare encourage my friends to take up cycling for the risks involved. just not worth it. more so if you’re married. but on the other hand, if you have the “knack’ for cycling, why not?

    roadrat said on Feb 01 08 at 1:49 PM Reply

  18. and that’s because i connived with your doctor. mwahahahaha. swimming is the best cardio in my opinion, because water pressure’s working against your lungs

    marga said on Feb 01 08 at 10:41 PM Reply

  19. Paano yan TBS ka na muna… : )

    Mark said on Feb 02 08 at 7:56 AM Reply

  20. I went through a very similar thing last year. I went through 2 months of physical therapy and didn’t run at all during that time. My PT did permit me to ride the stationary bike but since I didn’t belong to a gym at the time, my only exercise was walking, which doesn’t even work up a sweat for me. It’s a tough thing for addicted runners like us, but if you think long term you’re better off resting for a few months instead of making an injury worse and requiring an even longer layoff as a result. I’m back running now and slowly trying to build up to where I was. Just listen to the PT and do your stretching and strengthening faithfully and you too will be fine. Good luck with the recovery.

    Larry said on Feb 02 08 at 10:57 AM Reply

  21. Tina, yes I’m looking forward to burning more fat! My trainer says my weight is good but my body fat content is above average haha. That’s what I get for delaying my weight training!

    Mark P, shucks do I have to change my website name? hehe

    Joe, I do hope it helps me to become a better runner…and a future triathlete! :)

    Rick, my hubby studied in USF so he’s the one who’s always wanting to go back there. Hopefully I get to run a race there.

    Atty Jon, I go to Dr Canlas. I’ll email you his contact details.

    Mayi, hahaha! Thanks!

    MaryAnne, thanks for the tip. I’ll be armed with my extra-strong hair conditioner, sunblock, and whatever else I can think of.

    Nora, I hope I enjoy it too!

    Mandie, OUCH! Buti nakapag situps ka pa!

    Taki, my good friend Nonoy teaches Total Immersion in Alabang. I’m taking a trial class with him on Monday. Wish me luck. By the way, thanks for your prayers in your last post!

    Roadrunner, I’ll probably bike only when one of my 3 kuyas are around. My eldest brother was an avid cyclist years ago. Hopefully they get to bike with me. If not, I’ll stick to safe routes like ayala alabang.

    Marga, mag aaway tayo niyan! You know, running is my first love! Swimming can never beat running. Or am I just saying that because I haven’t tried it yet?

    Mark, uhm what’s TBS?

    Larry, I agree with you completely. I will try to be as behaved as possible!

    bullrunner said on Feb 02 08 at 1:40 PM Reply

  22. hi Jaymie,
    indeed, it’s smart of you to have a game plan, especially to include swimming. as a physiotherapist(former), whose interest was sports medicine, I’ve seen cases such as yours. Non-weight bearing exercises like swimming was one of my usual tested prescirptions to athletes with recurring injuries.
    Train safe.

    venice nep said on Feb 02 08 at 1:46 PM Reply

  23. yes, you’re saying that because you haven’t tried it yet.

    taekwondo was my first love. but now, they are all at par, all the sports i engage in. you will have to learn to love swimming and cycling in the same way as you love running, if you decide to pursue triathlon. hehehe

    oy don’t wear conditioner sa hair mo pag magsiswim ka! madudulas swim cap mo nyan. slather on na lang pag naligo ka after!

    marga said on Feb 02 08 at 1:47 PM Reply

  24. Oh your husband went to USF, great school, nice campus. They are also known among the triathlon and swimming community for their great 50 meter pool. I was just listening to a podcast about Filipino culture studies being offered at USF. The professor on the podcast, also a Pinoy, mentioned that USF used to be known as the “University of Spoiled Filipinos”. Haha I thought that was funny. Not anymore though, those kids are active in the community and social issues.

    rick said on Feb 02 08 at 4:18 PM Reply

  25. Total immersion, hey feedback pls. Nonoy was recommended to me and I already told him I might try TI sometime March after my halfs. Let me know how it goes. In fact, I just received the Total immersion book I ordered from Amazon.

    Tina said on Feb 02 08 at 10:16 PM Reply

  26. TBS – The Bull Swimmer

    Mark said on Feb 02 08 at 11:54 PM Reply

  27. And one more. This was what I was talking about with the pool running thing. Same motions no pounding: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-263–5536-2-1-2,00.html

    rick said on Feb 03 08 at 8:13 AM Reply

  28. Good thing there’s no such thing as a “swimming machine” at the gym that would bore you to death. I wonder how that would look like?

    Daniw said on Feb 08 08 at 6:36 PM Reply

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