What to do now

The USATFMNC threw a bit of a wrench into my normal training schedule. Since this was the first year with a big track meet in the winter, this is the first year that I have had my 90-day workout schedule interrupted. Even last year when I hurt my back I was still able to continue on with P90X with just a bit of modification to the schedule. My real problem with not being on a program where I know what I will do each day is that I am more likely to skip a workout. It's too easy when I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do for a workout to just pick the thing that is short or easy.

I also remember someone posting a comment on a blog at TeamBeachbody.com where he said that if he is not following a program where he knows exactly what he's supposed to do, then a bowl of ice cream goes into his belly while he watches TV instead. That's kind of how I feel too. It's easy to think that you're either on a program or off a program. When you're off you can sit around and eat anything you want because you're going to get back on in a week or two. Or three. Or four.

So what have I been doing these past couple of weeks? I've been continuing on with P90X2 for the most part. We decided to switch things up a bit for or Friday morning workout group. We did an Insanity Plyo workout last week. Insanity takes it's toll on my calves. With my compartment syndrome I am not able to do things like jogging for more than a few minutes without pain. For some reason the newer Insanity: The Asylum does not bother my calves. I actually find it better than trying to run on the track.

With my calves already sore from Insanity, I wanted to play basketball on Sunday since it was the last opportunity until next September. Between Insanity and basketball my left calf was not happy with me. So I had to take it easy for a few days. I've taken this opportunity to play with the kids every night this week. It's still active and I think it sets a good example that you can still play when you get older.

We did another Insanity workout this morning and I don't think I will have any calf issues this weekend. My plan is to do two more P90X2 P.A.P. workouts and then start back up on Insanity: The Asylum. That's a 30-day program so I will either go back to P90X or P90X2 after that along with starting one or two track workouts each week. I've just got to get back on to something.

The Week After the USATF Indoor Championships

Well, it's been about a week since the conclusion of the USA Track and Field Indoor National Masters Championships. I need to come up with an acronym for that to shorten it up. From now on it is the USATFINMC. That's much better.

I didn't get an update posted after the meet, so here's what happened on the last day. I ran the 200 meter dash. We had preliminaries in the morning. My goal was to make the final if possible. I knew it would be a fast field of runners and only six spots for the finals so it would be tough, but possible if I ran well. I ran my best indoor 200 and made the finals in the 5th spot. My time was 24.04 (so close to being in the 23s). My left hamstring was starting to get pretty tight so mentally I was concerned about it in the final. I tried to stay as relaxed as possible and get a good warmup in prior to the race. My time was not as good as the prelim, but I still managed to get 4th place.

Overall it was a pretty good meet. Since indoor times are usually slower than outdoor I am pretty optimistic about the outdoor season. It's also bee nice enough that I can start some training on the track early this year.

Since I've been back home I did one P90X2 workout of P.A.P. Upper and Plyocide. I also did one Insanity workout and a short workout on the track. The track workout was three 200s with a 200 walk recovery between each one. I try to stay around 27-28 seconds for each 200 so they are not too fast. It's important not to take too much rest in between. This will help to build up to some of the endurance workouts I have planned for next month where I run 4 - 200s and keep increasing the speed and reducing the rest as the season goes on.

My back has been feeling pretty good lately, but I will continue to keep an eye on things and keep stretching and icing. I have been feeling pretty sick the last couple of days. I normally don't take days off from working out, but I think I can afford to take it easy right now and let my body recover before hitting it hard again.