Training Log Archive: jtorranc

Actually mostly deep water running this time. Would have gone longer but this was sandwiched between hanging out at the QOC event at Avalon (doing actual work - beginner instruction then manning the e-punch download while Valerie ran - this time) and call for the second performance.

No run through before the show - just performing this time. Something must have happened to the timing this time since we only had a couple of beats of improvising at the end before the lights faded to black - curious given that consistency with that had never varied much before - but this performance also went off without anything serious to regret.

Core strength, now including bicycle once more though I don't quite bring the right knee as far towards my face as usual.

Alternating sets of one-legged squats on the left leg with calf raises on both legs.

Roughly the same mix of swimming and deep water running as the evening before.

The active parts of running the piece once before the show plus the actual performance, which went well in both avoidance of error and avoidance of reinjury senses.

Swimming, treading water scissoring my legs sideways and, since testing determined I can tolerate it, deep water running.

Crunches (simple and twisting) and back extensions.

One-legged squats on the left leg and calf raises on both legs.

Tech/lighting session - warming up out in the lobby and running the piece twice, the second time with the lights as they propose to have them for the performances on Saturday and Sunday. Survived without doing anything too bad to my right leg.

C • Under the circumstances... 1

More detail on what my doctor said coming soon. For the moment, cycling is out again, some sort of deep water leg exercises are in in addition to swimming, and I have an appointment to see a physiotherapist on Monday morning.

The doctor thinks I have tendinitis primarily of the right IT band, which is much tighter than the allegedly also tight left IT band, and... I guess I've got nothing more specific than a contusion within the quadriceps muscle for what's restricting my range of motion. She believes racing in Florida is responsible for the tendinitis really flaring up a week after the original injury - my bad there. I've been switched from ibuprofen to naproxen sodium (Aleve) and referred to a formerly professional football playing physical therapist (certainly ought to know knee problems). Appointment to reassess progress is set for April 4. My participation in Flying Pig is presumably nixed.

Back to swimming - more front crawl than anything else but mixing various strokes and experimenting with what I might do in the way of leg exercises. Despite my limited range of right knee flexion, I can sort of do deep water running (I suspect my form is less than classic). My doctor seemed to want me to do more side to side leg movements (a way of encouraging the IT band to loosen or just to generally work things that stabilise the knee?) so I experimented a bit with treading water by scissoring the legs sideways rather than backwards and forwards. Have placed a hold on a book on aquatic exercises which I hope will fill in for my limited creativity and knowledge of what might be helpful or harmful to do. Will have to ask the PT on Monday for advice as well.

C • Sideways leg exercises 3

It's a pain being restricted to the exercises that don't involve significant knee flexion - crunches, twisting crunches and back raises in this session.

Alternating sets of one-legged squats on the left leg with sets of calf raises on both legs.

Bike in. Windy. Finally got the clothing just about right for once during this warm spell. Fortunately, I was able to pedal whilst keeping my butt in contact with the seat - ice, rest, vitamin I and so on were at least somewhat effective.

To and from doctor's office. Then finally home again.

Another warm morning. It took my right quadriceps a bit longer to get used to the pedalling motion that had been the case the previous few days. Not sure what to make of that - my current regime ought to prevent muscular atrophy but if it isn't good for long term recovery... At least it's only one day more until I see my doctor and get guidance on that.

Home by way of dance class, which was hard on my right quadriceps. Rode home from there entirely out of the saddle and got right down to ice, vitamin I, heat and then ice again before bed.

Our last class before the performances this weekend, although we still have the tech/lighting session on Thursday. Anna (my partner in the duet section) showed, which was reassuring, especially given that she'll apparently miss the tech session and there had been some changes and additions last week when she was away.