More yoga, more Salmon watching

My back still felt a little tweaked so, after a visit to the chiropractor, I decided not to do my long run this afternoon. Instead, I took a nap and looked forward to my yoga class tonight which would either prove difficult because of my back or feel really good...it felt really good. Breathing, opening up the rib cage, stretching, etc. all felt really great.

After yoga, I scooted over to the Queen Anne pool to hang out with the Salmon Bay swim club again. I'm still not swimming with them due to space-in-the-pool reasons, but I did get some more pointers and got the workout to do later. Once again, Ed gave me some really good pointers. We're going to try and meet up on Tuesday for my initial private lesson to get me started with the club.

More footwork, no footwork

Started the morning by helping out the SYC women's crew team by riding in the launch and videotaping their workout. The SYC women's boat recently one their 50+ Opening Day race by half a second (and had better times than the 30+ and 40+ age groups!). It was a beautiful morning, sunny and Lake Washington was like glass. It made me really want to start rowing again. I may try to get some sculling in in the afternoons and even some sweep in on the days I don't have to work at 5:30am. I raced in the 1999 Opening Day races. We got 3rd place after a tough race with Sammamish so I appreciate the women's accomplishment this year.

Had some more work done on my feet this morning. More of the...plantar warts (remember...I'm trying not to spare the reader of any of the realities of athletic life). Had the final work done on both feet in order to get back on training track as soon as possible. The running felt so good and I've really been missing the fencing. I did go to fencing tonight, just to watch. I missed the footwork portion but did get to watch a few fencers. Also watched Leon give Bernard his epee lesson. They did some pretty amazing compound attack work. Can't wait till I'm back in play.

Almost ready to run

Had my orthotics casting session today. I am SO ready to start running again. It will be nice to start up again since running is something you can do whenever you want; day or night rain or shine. It doesn't require a lot of eqiupment, and you can do it anywhere; when I'm home, at work, trevelling etc. My follow up appointment is April 20th, so look for a running entry very soon thereafter.

Wise Wendy at Salle Auriol

I officially joined Salle Auriol tonight. For now I'll fence there one night a week and one night a week at Wallingford. Salle Auriol has an epee group that meets on Sundays, so I'll try to start attending that session as well. I fenced several new people tonight...well at least new for me. The first was an "A" fencer that's been fencing for over 10 years. I got several touches, but more importantly got some good advice and he commented on my good footwork after we were done. Wendy (my running and swimming coach) came to watch me fence and had some really good advice regarding balance and made some comments on what she saw as 'my strategy' and how I could improve upon it. For not having a fencing background, her comments were right on target; she noticed many of the issues I had been working on with Garik the previous Thursday. She also echoed some comments that Dr. Goodwin made about the psychology of competition. The second fellow was also a well seasoned epeeist. I put Wendy's comments, and a few from Garik, into action and actually did quite well with several well placed touches, while staying relaxed but responsive. I can tell Wendy is going to be great for all around cross-coaching. I'm scheduled to start some running, swimming and shooting coaching with Wendy next week.

Cinderella

I took one of my fencing shoes into Dr. Goodwin (my chiropractor) on last Friday to look into getting some orthotics. Of course, I left there. I made arrangements to pick it up tonight when I went in for my adjustments and as Tom walked into the room - with my shoe - he simply said "Cinderella". Great, what a reputation to start off with :-)

What's up doc?

Didn't go swimming this morning since I seem be be coming down with a cold again. I saw a chiropractor, Tom Goodwin, this afternoon, just to check in and see how my post-rowing back was doing - preventative maintenance I guess. He had a great holistic approach to overall health. Found out that I had 17% body fat and need to get that down to 10-14%. Also, discovered that because of my long 2nd and 3rd toes, orthotics are in order to help support my foot bridge. Dr. Goodwin suggested that I not run until I get the orthotics to avoind any further injury. In addition, I do have some issues with my sacrum not having a full range of motion, which could explain some of my challenges in my posting, as well as in yoga. Finally, we discussed some diet changes...more protein, less carbos and more fish. Back on Friday to do a little more work on my sacrum.