Random thought for this week is about getting better through doing less, huh? Rest days, stretching, icing, compression socks, and nutrition all come to mind but as you know me, let's keep it simple...
- Rest days...we all need them, please take one complete rest day each and every week. Rest day means exactly that no no running, swimming, biking, lifting, etc. Listen to your coach, take a rest day and watch your workouts improve! We are not 25 years old anymore..we may look 25 but our bodies don't respond to stress like they use to!
- Stretching, icing, and compression socks...three things all lumped together. Want to have a great workout tomorrow? Then spend 15 minutes after today's workout doing the right things! So, I can hear you now, "Coach, I don't have 15 minutes at the end of the workout!" Try it once and you will be hooked, right after the workout spend 5 minutes doing some dynamic stretches (more on that to follow), jump in a cold shower (really cold shower) for 5 minutes (or if you have the luxury of time, take an ice bath at home for 8 minutes, http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sampleworkouts/a/Ice-Bath.htm), then gradually turn back on the hot water, and finish your workout by slipping on a pair of compression socks to keep the blood flowing from your feet to your heart. Never heard of compression socks? Read this... http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-320--13079-0,00.html. Compression socks come in different sizes, colors, brands, and $ amounts. My favorite socks were purchased at Walgreen's, yes Walgreen's for $15.
- Nutrition, this is a slippery slope with lots of opinions but no one will disagree with the need for food and hydration within 30 minutes of finishing a workout. Let's keep it simple, PB&J and chocolate milk. Really, chocolate milk? I know you ca understand the old fashioned peanut butter & jelly, but read this... http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/chocolate-milk-after-workout/
Coach Loran
