Stretching....Is REALLY important.

So when I began this journey into Ironman territory, I was itching to get started right away (this was back in August), but my coach had other ideas.

The first thing he said to me was "You need to stretch, spend at least the first 3 weeks just stretching, getting your muscles ready for what was coming up".  Um, what?  Boring!

 I was so ready to just get going, I wanted to start  training, not stretch, that's hardly training.  Ah, but what I have learned thus far is, it is training, and a very important part of your training.

I found this out the hard way, simply because sometimes (ok always) I think I know everything about my body.  But it turns out, I don't.

After stretching for the first 3 weeks, I was ready to start getting my base miles in with running, I was doing really well, running, swimming, biking (on the power trainer) and stretching (everyday) and using my Trigger Point system for all my muscles.

By early November I was feeling great- aches and pains were subsiding, muscles feeling great....so I slacked off and stopped stretching everyday.  Bad move Sue.

 I quickly noticed my muscles rebelling against their constant usage without releif; stiffness began and soon after the aches.  I felt bummed out, that I let myself "slack" from the daily routine.

 I find myself stretching at work, in the shower, pretty much any place I can grab a few minutes to ease my muscles;  it sure does make a difference in my workouts. My muscles don't fatigue as easily and I feel more limber.  So remember to stretch, even for  just a few minutes each day, your muscles will thank you for it!