[RC] Getting YOURSELF ready for a 50.. - SpottedracerOnce again... I will preface this with the fact I've only done 3 50's (2 were my back-to-back)... And I do have RA - which is pretty much in remission, but due to the twisting of the tarsals and slight deforming of two fingers - still affects me. Depending on if a front's coming through - is whether I'm in such foot pain that I can barely climb stairs - or I'm in almost NO pain and appear fully 'sound' **grin** I take my ability to exersize on a day-by-day basis. And have gained 40 lbs in two years due to my inability TO exersize regularly. (I DO NOT take pain killers regularly - I'm of the opinion that I ONLY need them when I cannot handle stairs...) I've tried two completely different exersize regimes before each set of 50's this year.... The first regime - was in early spring - so the pools were too cold and I don't have access to an indoor one... Since I can't walk far, I opted for a LOT of crunches, Lunges, Squats, and LIGHT weights with my hands.. (**grin** Far cry from when I body built in my mid-20's and could bench 150 and squat 450!! Amazing what joint pain can take away from an athlete!)... I also managed to diet off 10 lbs preceding the ride. (gained it all back right after **grin**)By the time of LBL, I could do 300 crunches straight, 60 squats, 70 lunges - and I handled the ride wonderfully! The Second regime - was in the dead of summer - so the pool was perfect. Started with just 10 laps - by the time of BSF - I was up to 100 laps straight. Didn't lose much weight though.. But I handled 2 50's back-to-back with relative ease. ** You can do many different exersize regimes to accomplish the same. I really feel that the longer duration of aerobic strengthening exersizes is better than trying to body build and bulk up - for this sport anyways.. **Now, if I can just get the REAL WILLPOWER and actually DIET!!! But God, I LOVE comfort food on those days when I hurt badly! - Laura P - Dreaming of getting back in the Featherweight division... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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