Things are looking good for me at the moment and I really couldn't be happier. My body, although sore and letting me know it is back into training is thriving on doing some form of activity everyday.
My bike ride on Sunday was awesome. I loved every minute of it and think I was smiling from ear to ear. The freedom you feel on the bike is unlike anything else. I can really only compare it to the freedom I feel in the water - the tranquility just gives me a really good feeling. That is until I get to a hill and then my legs quickly remind me how inept I am at them, and my puffing and panting can be heard Im sure from kilometres away.
"Bubba" the Cannondale was an absolute gem. Now Im not sure if it was because I had fresh legs or the fact that he is just brand spanking new gears, new chain, being a TT bike or what - but I felt faster. Im sure it was in my head and I was just feeling all giddy but it is such a smooth ride. Changing gears takes a bit of getting used to. I was constantly tapping in my brakes to change my gears and then would have a little chuckle to myself - GET IT RIGHT BARB.
When I got home after a short 35km ride I was on Cloud 9. The weather was just perfect. Not a cloud in the sky and great company. What more could I have asked for. I really feel like I am making my way back. I have missed it so so much. Here is another shameless self portrait - just in case you have forgotten what I look like.
Then yesterday I went for my first swim post surgery. I was really excited albeit tentative to get in the water. I thought I may have a bit of an issue and I did. Nothing big but I had trouble getting the full length of my stroke in. It seems my stomach muscles are a bit tight and I could feel it everytime I would take a stroke with my right arm. It wasn't painful, just tight and my abdomen would fatigue and then my core would sag and I didnt feel like I was sitting up high in the water.
I asked Yas if I could pop my flippers on and do the set with them on. It did made it much easier to do the session and i was happy to do 2.7km for my first swim back. Now a day later I have no pain in my abdomen but my pecs, lats, tri's and delt's are saying - "Welcome back to the pool Barb".
I have been religiously doing my strength and conditioning sessions from Sparta and have altered the training program from last years Yeppoon program from TopNotch to suit where I am at. So with everything at my fingertips, I should make it to Yeppoon and finish feeling really proud of all my effort. My aim is not to be back to how I was this time last year, but rather accomplish something I had my sight's set on close to 12 months ago and say to myself at the end - YOU DID IT BARB.
Now let's bring on another run.
