Training Plan Help/Advice Sought

[nepatsfan73]

OK, big picture right now is I want to be ready and healthy for the ToT 13K (and finish it while being able to stand up straight this time) and then marathon weekend.

I have had several start and stops with my walking/XT (recumbant bike and core/weights work a few times per week) training so far mainly because of my back has not adjusted well and the fact my left hip/leg is still stronger than the right.

What I am thinking of doing is shutting down any extended walking for about 6 weeks (maybe until June 1). Over that time period, I want to concentrate on strengthening the legs (to try and get some balance between the left & right sides) and my core (for the back and abs), while also dropping a some weight. I will do this via stability ball, dumbell weight training and pilates (I have a rebounder and also plan to continue some mat work as well). My rebounder also has a tramp for aerobic workouts and I was thinking that I would also try to keep up a short regular walk a few times a week of approximately 1 mile (longer if back not an issue) without regard to pace.

Hopefully, such a plan would help me get things straightened out some and allow me to to then start increasing my walking. The problem is I do not really know yet how best to do this as far as specific workouts (I am still working on that), which I've come to the conclusion most would have to be done at home. I would be able to put in some time in the AM and some in the PM at home.

Hopefully by the beginning of June, I can start back to regular, longer walking and extending out the distances without the back and hip pain. As many may recall, I have had both hips replaced and will be walking the events. If I hold off until June on a serious walking program, do any of the veteran WISHers think it will be too late to be ready for ToT and/or marathon weekend.

Any help, thoughts, advice or opinions are appreciatiated.

 

[wtpclc]

Bill - Can't help much, but it souds liek you hav ea good plan to me. As long as you are doing something cardio regularly, I think you will be ok. Per Mfm, if you are "moving" for 30 min 3 times a week for a year, you could train for the half in 14? weeks. So, I ouwld think you'll be more than ok, even with your starts adn stops. GOod luck gettign the traininglan together and executing!

 

[Cruella de mom]

Bill - I am going to suggest giving a PM to AmyBeth and see what she has to say. She teaches pilates classes and is experienced and might know where to steer you.

I am just so porud of you for continuing to stick with it. It must get discouraging when your body doesn't cooperate with your plans.

Cecilia

 

[nepatsfan73]

Thanks Carrie and Cecilia.

I think I am well beyond discouraged at this point. I was telling my primary doctor at a visit last week that although the hips felt good in general, I have felt extremely fatigued the past couple of months. His response was that given everything I've been through with the hips, infections, etc., he is extremely impressed with where I am now and my attitude (yeah, I'm doing great looking like a question mark). He then said that, as to the fatigue problems, that just may be the way its going to be and I may not get back to my old energy levels.

I thanked him for the advice but reminded him that I had 4 young kids and future marathons to do. He just smiled and said he loved my spirit.

Sorry for the vent. Onward and upward ... To 13.1/26.2/39.3 and Beyond ... or whatever.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Next time you see your doc, ask him for a referral to a physical therapist for athletes. Given all that you have gone through, your insurance will probably cover a visit or two. If not, you should go at least once and have that doc set out a plan for you.

 

[wdw4us]

Well, as someone who has had ongoing pain for 20 years due to an auto accident, I know that fatigue could be caused from fighting pain constantly and possibly the medications to combat the pain a vicious cycle.

6 weeks ago I went to a new Dr an osteopath who check me out and said that he could help me. We took x-rays to make sure the plan he had for me would not further injure me. Then I started to exercise - small moves but targeted to the area that had been injured. The PT 3x a week and continued at home almost every day has made it possible for me to stop taking my muscle relaxants completely and I'm down to 1 anti-inflammatory at night before I go to bed.

Because the pain is gone,- for the most part - I can now sleep almost through the night - another reason I was so tired.

I now know that if my neck starts to bother me, don't reach for the pills but reach to the sky and stretch! Pretty much what Windwalker has been doing.

A Personal Trainer??? maybe some Physical Therapy - possibly - how much does it cost? How much would you pay to be without pain?

Oh and another factor, when I started to get rid of the pain, I didn't feel I had to eat to get rid of a headache. More pounds came off. Are your meds or pain making you eat?

Poor you, I hope you find someone to guide you. It took a LONG time for me to be fed up and a person in my life - my hairdresser that had the same problems to recommend a new Dr. to me.

In just 6 weeks, I am a new person, and I hope you find that right Dr or trainer for you!

take care

denise

 

[windwalker]

Bill I concur with the advice to talk to AmyBeth. I'm picking her brain myself since she has way more knowledge on the core training than I do. I'm from a military background and we are all about action exercise, Running/walking and calistetics with some sit ups thrown in for the tummy. I decided to take my head out of the sand and explore some other methods and it appears to be working for me.

Stretching Panda

 

[Cruella de mom]

oh man, I just hate to hear how discouraged you are!

Fatigue is one of those vague symptoms that alot of Drs don't want to address. I guess because it can't be measured.

Be sure you are staying very well hydrated because dehydration is a major casue of fatigue.

As you stay consistant with your exercise plan, that may ease the fatigue. It may mean you have to slow down a little to make every day exercise more managable though.

4 kids? Are you getting enough sleep?

Regardless, we are sticking with you though this. I expect to see you at the finish line of one of those races!

Cecilia

 

[Kristi1357]

Bill - I am no expert, but I think your plan is totally doable. You are doing great. You hang in there when many would have quit by now. Don't give up. You will do great at ToT this year! Your fellow WISHers have given you lots of great advice.

Hang in there and keep moving!

 

[wfloyd]

Sorry to hear that your hip is still giving you trouble. I have thought about this for a while and decided that I can't really give any meaningful training tips since I just make up what I do as I go and hope I don't hurt myself in the process. That doesn't lead to me having very good credentials.

However, I do think that if you start back in June with walking that you will have enough time for the TOT. That is 5 months or just under 20 weeks to get to just over 8 miles. That should be enough time to slowly work your way up in training. Then you have 2 months for the last 5 miles (assuming you are doing the half and not Goofy in January). Since some plans only go to 10 miles for training, you should be able to do this as well.

I wish you luck in your journey and hope that you can get some solid answers. What I can do is offer encouragement along the way.

Bill