The changes aren't physical, mostly. I mean, when I squat, I notice that my quads have some more definition. When I engage the muscles, there are actual muscles there to see.
But the main differences are in how I'm feeling. The squats aren't nearly as difficult as they were at first. I can easily do 50 in a row instead of sticking to sets of 25. I could probably do all 100 at once if I wanted to, but I'm enjoying doing sets of them at work with my colleagues.
Also, my runs have been fantastic. It may just be the normal road to recovery, but I'm surprised by how quickly I've been able to progress.
What did my body give me? Three miles in under 30 minutes. The first two miles under 20 minutes. Two 30-second walk breaks at each mile mark; and I took those breaks because I felt I should, not because I felt I needed to.
I truly believe this strength and flexibility is partly due to the squats. It may have been the cool weather. It may have been that I've been back to running for about eight weeks now and my body is remembering what it used to do. But really, I think a lot of it is the squats.
When this challenge is over, I think I'll keep it up anyway. Clearly, it's paying off.
ABK
Squats are such a great exercise! I miss them immensely. They bother my ITB so much so that it will be THROBBING for several days. Maybe someday. :(
ReplyDeleteI feel like you are so strong in your whole body, there MUST be a way to get your IT bands on board with squats. Can you do lunges, or do those bug it too?
DeleteThey bug it too. :( It's like all the things that are supposed to STRENGTHEN your ITB bothers mine.
DeleteYES! I have noticed that strength training has helped me legs a lot since I've gotten back into a regular routine with it. My legs feel so strong and capable. I feel like I could run for years ... except sometimes my calves do still feel tight in an annoying way. Not like pre-surgery but also it doesn't feel great. I keep reminding myself that my PT said my calves are big and will *always* be somewhat tight, but at least I can run through it now!
ReplyDeleteI just need my runs to get a little longer. I remember before I started having compartment syndrome issues it would take me about 30 mins of running before my calves loosened up just from normal tightness, so I feel like I just need to get my runs back up to that marker!
You are killing it with your runs and picking distance back up! I keep hoping for/waiting for that moment you described before your 5K where everything just seemed to click.
When my calves feel uncomfortable now, it's in a weird way because they are still partially numb. So at track practice, for example, my calves needed a break after we did some jumping jacks. And they didn't hurt like pre-surgery but they felt...lumpy? Like there was a little knot threatening to form. I think still have discomfort is definitely part of healing and neither of us is past that yet!
DeleteI definitely need to be better about warming up because my legs usually need about 5 minutes of movement before they feel really good. Monday's run was the first that everything just felt GOOD the entire time. Honestly, it was a little freaky. I couldn't remember how it had felt before! I was like "woah, this is how I used to always feel?!"
I know things will click back into place for you soon. Keep up what you're doing!! Patience is worth it!
50 squats at one shot sounds amazing!! good job!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ana!!
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