Training Log Archive: fletch

Original plan had been to try to get to 10km today, but legs were weary at the start and there was a consistent little tight spot in my right calf. Didn’t get worse though. Probably what I get for not stretching after last night’s ride.

Haven’t been great at fitting this in, but after 3 weeks of unusually regular exercise, a couple of days off won’t kill me.
Surrey hills ride. First three were fine. Wasn’t expecting the last one to take nearly as long. Felt more worthwhile than Monday’s effort.

So - things I’m doing differently
1) Calf stretches combined with straight and bent leg cal raises/drops
2) Taking magnesium each evening
3) Focusing on R foot plant/ using R glute
4) Back to regular leg stretching

Should also be doing glute strengthening 2xweek but haven’t done that yet.

So far something seems to be working. Not sure which bit/s but don’t really care at the moment!

‘Nutha run. Tried the same thing with my right leg. Felt pretty reasonable towards the end so ran a km a bit faster. Still felt pretty good after.
Knees a bit sore, but that was from some knee on knee contact playing rugby with Year 9’s. Tackling kids is fun. A bit of a black eye too, but didn’t notice that till the evening, so hopefully it’ll be gone before work on Monday.

Dropped the kids at a music practice and had two hours to kill, so went for a run.
Focused on using right glute and correct foot plant position. Calves the best they’ve been in ages, so kept going a bit longer. Running could even be fun soon if this progression continues.

Saw podiatrist and had video taken of me treadmill running in both pairs of shoes and barefoot. A couple of interesting points.
1) I’m carrying my right arm very differently to left. Probably related to right shoulder/upper back being stuffed for most of the year, but had no idea I was doing it.
2) Right foot swings across almost in line with left just before landing, which is causing a really sudden pronation as my heel hits the ground. This is an old problem that has previously contributed to my achilles problems, but had thought it was under control. Apparently not. Need to get glute working properly.

My first real Zwift ‘disappointment.’
Opted to try a workout i stead of just randomly riding, but didn’t choose wisely. It was so easy that the whole thing felt pretty much like an extebded warm up, not a hills/ strength session.

Might just go back to my usual of riding wherever and surging the hills.