I don't know about you but I am certainly ready for the weekend! I decided to kick it off with another 5:30am spin class. This time went much more smoothly for me. It also helped that the instructor said "Turn it up 1/4 turn." Or "1 full rotation to the right." It was a great class and I will definitely be back for more, although it is getting harder to get up and out there in the morning because it is so dark and cold!
I am starting to get used to going to the gym before work, although I miss the days of getting up to hit the track! The key to a successful morning workout is to fuel before you go. Nothing crazy, but your body needs energy if you expect it to work. This morning I took an energy gel with water and drank some coffee on the drive to the gym to get going. Last week I ate a Cliff bar (this was hard to get down first thing in the am!) It is important or drink something with calories to optimize your workout. You wouldn't want to get up that early for nothing!
While I am loving spin these days, it is just so hard not to run! I am trying to do all the right things to resolve this knee issue:
~Ice
~Glucosamine Supplements
~Crosstraining
~Strength Training
~REST
...but it still swells up from time to time. The pain has gone way down, fortunately. I just wish I could run a little bit. Just a teeny tiny mile. Don't worry I won't, but I won't deny I want to. Today is exactly 2 weeks since I have tried to run at all, and even two weeks ago, I only lasted a minute before I stopped. Does that count?
Spin definitely helps to strengthen that medial quad, which keeps the knee cap in place. It also works the opposing muscles, the hamstrings, as well as the glutes which keeps the body balanced, therefore, reducing the risk of injury. It also gets my heart pounding like a good run does.
But, it is just NOT the same...
I'm off to work. Lets get this weekend going!
8 comments:
I am so glad the pain is going down!! I went to an early spin class too!! Wouldn't it be fun to go to spin classes together...or run together for that matter:) You are doing great with your knee recovery. It really is hard to get up out of bed when it is so stinkin cold.
i'm totally with you--bring on the weekend!!! i am ready to have a moment to exhale and regroup.
good job getting up early for those workouts. do you find it easier/harder to get up for spinning? for some reason, unless i'm running with someone, i have a hard time getting up to run. i can do other exercising on my own in the morning, but those dark early morning runs feel so lonely.
I LOVE getting my workout in before work! I was bad at it this week so have to get back at it next week :)
Hope your knee gets better soon! Being injured is the worst :(
I need to try a spin class again, I did do one almost ten years ago lol. I think it would be great training for the bike portion of a tri. Sorry about the knee, hope it gets better soon!
I found spinning last year at school and I absolutely love it. They don't offer classes at my gym but they just got two new spinning bikes which are awesome! I love making up my own workout to whatever songs pop up on my ipod. It's definitely a good cross training activity.
I'm sorry to hear about your knee though, but hopefully with a little rest you'll be back up and running (no pun intended) in no time!
You are doing great at working around your injury and the strengthening is a great!
You are doing great at working around your injury and the strengthening is a great!
Oh man. That is awesome you are able to wake up so early and get your workout done before work. I'm the same way-I love to get it done bright and early.
I hope you knee injury is resolved soon. My brother had a similar problem and is trying to recover as well. He stays in the pool right now though. :)
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