RideStrong: Training begins

LAF LiveStrong Ride: Philadelphia, September 10th
Century Ride (100 miles)

Training officially started today, in my mind. I’m a few weeks ahead of the 6 month mark. I plan to have a series of parties the weekend of 3/10-11, which is the traditional 6 month mark, even though 180 days is not until 3/14. This new chapter in OD will be my personal training log, and allows curious readers see follow my (hopefully positive) progress.

Anyway, I had a session with a personal trainer today at the Philadelphia Sports Club (PSC),Rodin Place, a few blocks from my house. He basically gave a quick orientation, asked medical and training history, set goals, and then we had an hour session on a variety of machines, stability balls, etc.

My arms are not used to being worked. That will change, although I don’t want to bulk up- just tone and strengthen. Too much muscle is dead weight for my fav activities (cycling, climbing, running, etc.). I’m focusing on core strength and stability, as guided in recent months by the excellent folks at Excel Physical Therapy.

I can already see advantages of mixing in what I know from PT with what the trainers will show me. Some weight activities on the ball, some machines that extend existing exercises to a new level, some machines that allow deep stretching without compromising back positioning.

And I just finished reading an article, given to me by my physical therapist, on 3-day/week training for marathons that I will modify for cycling a century. The PSC trainer has done triathlons (and his experience will help me in training a friend for the cycling portion of her first triathlon) and he totally adheres to this type of regiment, which is still very new and not well accepted, so what are the chances?

Last April, when I picked out this location of this gym, I knew I had to immediately place the membership on hold. It didn’t really make logical sense to do- but I knew, no- felt, it was the right thing to do. At that time, the people I am working with now were not even in Philadelphia, much less employed by PSC, but I trusted that it would fall into place. Trusted that when I was again able to workout, there would be something to workout for; a plan and personal guides to help me get it started.

And since I trusted the decision so deeply, it’s now come to be.