Core strength workout for a rainy day
The old thermometer ticked up a few degrees today. It almost felt like spring. I'm not sure why, but the difference between 30°F and 37°F feels like a lot more than 7°. There is a little unseen threshold in there somewhere. Once you cross over it, everything changes.
I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way either. I hadn't seen anyone cycling on the road all week. Not until today. At least someone got out for a ride.
Unfortunately it wasn't me. By the time I had the all-clear to go, here's what was going on outside:
Temperature: 37°F / 3°C | Humidity: 93% | Conditions: Rain
Yeah just a quick glance out the window confirmed it too. A moderately heavy rain was falling through the fog. Heavy enough to remind me I need to clean out the gutters. Heavy enough to get them to overflow. Another item for the old to-do list.
Fortunately (unfortunately?) it was about time for another core strength session. No kidding, I really think there's something to this core strength stuff. For the first time since this whole thing started and since I started the core strength work lifting did not temporarily worsen my back.
That's how it has gone for me, this improvement process. Core strengthening exercises help, but every time I do them my back hurts just a little more than it did before the workout. When I recover from the workout my back hurts just a little less than before. Two steps forward and one tiny step back.
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do you add stretching?
Being older, I have finally realized that stretching is necessary and very beneficial. Cycling gives me tight hamstrings, which directly and adversely affects my lower back.
Serious stretching makes me feel much, much better.
Occasional light stretching
I used to stretch a lot, not that I really needed to. I did it because I thought it would help my back, just like you.
But I'm lucky, in that I have a lot of flexibility to start with. When I first consulted with an expert about my injury, one of the first things she evaluated was flexibility. I got very high marks for it.
Since that time I've read in various places that stretching has come under fire. Just like with a lot of other generally accepted practices these days, new studies are finding it may not be as beneficial as originally thought.
I'm not saying stretching isn't helpful. I'll leave that to the experts to debate and decide. As long as my flexibility is where it should be, I don't feel that stretching is really very beneficial to me.
Good words...
I should do more stretching...
It seldom seems to help with the soreness. OTOH, my body is way out of alignment from cycling, and stretching is what I should do to try to correct it. I get on a stretching program, but can not seem to form the habit.
There are so many reasons to x-train, and lift...this is one I keep forgetting to bring up....frame alignment.
I saw a chiropractor/therapist who took some measurements and confirmed what he knows to be true of many cyclists. You spend so much time in the riding position and your muscles adapt to that position...and pull your body out of alignment. (FWIW, the therapist did not recommend that I come back for treatments, but recommended stretching at home...so there seems to be no hidden motives in telling me this)
My hips are rotated forward as a result...this creates more of a bow in my lower back when I stand up straight (or try to). I thought this was neat when he told me, but it could be a real drag latter in life if I do not start trying to correct it.
Stretch those quads, hams, and lower back...it is at very least a step in the right direction.
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