For me, training has forced me to improve my
flexibility….not just my physical flexibility, but my mental flexibility as
well. I always like to have a plan and
it stresses me out if the plan is changed at the last minute. I am learning gradually to be prepared and
ready for change. Importantly, to not
let a change of events sabotage my training.
Training for flexibility:
After work, I had originally
planned to ride my bike outside for an hour.
One look at the sky, which looked ominous, convinced me to go inside and
take a spinning class and then swim afterwards at the YMCA. Not exactly what I had originally planned, but
still a great workout.
I usually attend a running group
once a week at the Y to do a speed workout – last week, my schedule didn’t
match up with the group so I convinced a friend to do the speed workout EARLY
in the morning with me.
I’ve also been attending a Time
Trial occasionally with a local cycling club (ride as fast as you can for 11
miles). The other night I arrived and
found that I had a flat tire! The only
other time I had changed a tire was for practice and it was the front tire
which is so much easier (when it’s the rear, there are intimidating gears and
the chain with which to contend). I
stood and looked at that tire and contemplated my options for several minutes…..1)
to quickly throw the bike back in my car, drive off, and ease my fear of bike
maintenance with an ice cream cone; or 2) tackle the flat and conquer my fear
that, after attempting to change the tire, I would be left covered in grease
with an inoperable bike. I chose to change the flat…..and, of course,
bargained with myself that if I was successful, I would still get that cone. In changing that tube out, I somehow
remembered to check the tire for the particular hazard that caused the flat in
the first place. I found the tiniest
filament of metal had punctured the tube (picture something the size of a
bristle on a hairbrush!). It’s amazing
how something so miniscule can create such difficulties! A fellow rider took pity on me and assisted
me when I was struggling with the chain.
Baby wipes took care of the grease smeared everywhere and I was still
able to get in my workout.
I have become more flexible, less rigid in my plans. I start out every week with a training plan
but, at the end of the week, the completed plan rarely matches my original
plans. It’s uncomfortable, but I have
forced myself to adjust to the curveballs that I’m thrown. It’s getting easier – I jokingly told someone
this weekend that I’m the “Excuse Eliminator” – instead of getting uptight when
plans change or problems present themselves, I challenge myself to find a way
around them. I now refuse to let
something the size of a hairbrush bristle derail my plans. Flexibility is essential to a good workout
plan.
