Kerry warned me about this.
And apparently I forget sometimes that I am 39 (40 this July).
I severely overtrained my legs in March in my quest for our team yardage record. He told me that I might not recover for our Pac Champs (I didn't), and I might not even recover for Nats (obviously I didn't). I was ok, not great, for 50s and 100s. But anything over a 100 and I was toast as my legs were just non-functional.
I am not complaining/making excuses, for 2 reasons: I achieved my goal and broke our team record, and two, the meet is over and I need to move on.
But my question is this: how do you recover o/t legs? I've looked at a lot of sites and haven't seen any good ones, a lot of body building stuff too.
I wanted to start running today, but I don't want to dig an even bigger hole than the one I'm in.
I've never overtrained anything, so this is new for me. All suggestions are welcome.
Stretching- how often?
Massage- how often, type?
Other?
Former Member
How did you know your legs were overtrained?
Former Member
Logically I guess one might suggest that you undertrain them for a bit til they aren't so tired :cane: ;)
If it was me with overtired legs, I'd back off the kick sets for a week and see if it helps regain some strength back. Then ease back into kicking and lay off the fins for a while. :confused: It's not like you're going to lose much in a week when they're already overdone.
Former Member
ART (Active release therapy) saved my swimming!!!
I over-trained in January. My delt and pec-shoulder area was so screwed up because of scar tissue (My freestyle is screwy). I could not swim for three months because of the pain and tightness.
I went to Dr Vince Disaia in Lake Forest Ca. What he did in three treatments was almost miraclous. I would Highly recommend it!!!
Don't be fooled by the words "massage" used to describe the treatment, it needs to be slightly sadistic to tear up the scar tissue, hence the word "release."
If you google ART, you'll find lots of swim teams use it regularly.
Good Luck!!!
If your in the socal area:
P: (949)916-9742
www.ChiropracticRedefined.com
drdisaia@gmail.com
My legs are continuously tight. I wear heels to work and my quads are even sore with those.
Uh, ditch the heels! Very bad for legs! Heels alone will cramp those legs up! Fashion be danged! Flat shoes are in and cool! Heels not good for legs ever. They are good for men to look at legs. Not that I am that militant, really. I wish I could wear heels but they screw up my posture big time. I like the look of heels. But I can't wear them.
So I would say, along with resting those legs, buy some very fashionable chic flat shoes. You don't have to be earthy/crunchy. There are some very cool flat shoes out there. Also, should you need to run away from anyone at your job or to/from your job, you can if you are wearing flat shoes. Again, I actually wish I could wear heels because they do look great and I have good legs if I say so myself, but they are very bad for legs and back and overall body position.
There. Soapbox over. I should be :bed: I need to drink fewer diet Cokes but dang it was hot today in Boston. What the heck is it with this here wethah?
Kirk is right. This was all totally self-inflicted upon myself. My sets consisted of 1000s. Usually, 1000 s/ 1000k/ 1000p/ 4x500-4x400-4x300-4x200-4x100s, and all with fins. It was all horribly unimaginative and excruciatingly boring. I didn't complain too much to my hubby, but when he'd always ask how it went I'd say, "It's just SO boring." I did continue to do our WCM workouts once/day, so that was no fins, business as usual.
Working full time and not wanting anything to suffer at home, I had very limited time (2-4 hours depending). My last day I was so far behind I swam 4 times, totalling 19,150y.
Make no mistake, I am never doing this again. This was a "let's see if I can do it" type of thing and now I have, so I'm done. :D I completely underestimated the toll it would take on my legs. Arms are fine, legs not so much!
I need to see how much money we have currently, but I did find an ART person in Walnut Creek who has already gotten back to me.
Finding it hard to believe Karen that Creekers allow FINz to be used to break WCM team records!
Sheez...
I knew about the yardage but not the FINz!
But ART is great advice - close to magical.
With all the Ironman triathletes in your area, bound to be a few good ART Docs in town.
Mine was always Dr. Farrell in Santa Barbara.
Former Member
Karen was going for a monthly yardage record for her team, so it wasn't her normal training regimen.
Ah I suppose I missed that part completely in the first post, my bad. I suppose the yardage per a time makes sense then.
That being the case anyway, disregard the editing of the workouts but the solution should remain unchanged.
Former Member
Make no mistake, I am never doing this again. This was a "let's see if I can do it" type of thing and now I have, so I'm done. :D I completely underestimated the toll it would take on my legs. Arms are fine, legs not so much!
I bet a lot of pull sets would help too just to ease off the work on the legs, but don't end up injuring the shoulders pulling to much either. On the upside though, i bet once they fully recover they'll be legs of steel!
That yardage is insane btw :) I never even did close to 19k in one day in college. Ugh. I think the most I ever hit was 15k in two practices.
Former Member
Karen was going for a monthly yardage record for her team, so it wasn't her normal training regimen.
Well, there's your problem right there...
