swam competitively 1968-71, been running competitively (at least in my own mind) since 1975, tri since 1986.
This year is the year of turning 50 and being grateful for every run/bike/swim that I can do.
For running injuries: have 3-4 pairs of shoes in rotation; the yoga/pilates/resistance training I find helpful but boring; don't ignore any pain; ice is your friend, keep it close; run less, bike more. However every injury has its own etiology and has to be managed appropriately. In fact I'm less injured now than I used to be, since I know what all the pains mean and what needs to be done to placate them. Achilles pain = eccentric calf raises, knee pain = leg extensions, glute/hamstring pain = lower back and core strengthening plus piriformis point massage, ITB = replace shoes since the old ones are allowing underpronation/supination, back pain = swim more, and so on and on and on.
Swim and bike have not yet been major problems. One shoulder impingement, dealt with by some specific shoulder strengthening exercises; one piriformis issue from the stock Cervelo saddle, still being managed as above.
So, swim and bike as much as you like ;-) until the bike crash which is a whole new set of injuries. Traumatic injuries are a lot harder to deal with than overuse injuries. Those are the real career-enders. So, I do a lot of trainer biking, will never do a bike race, and stay off the roads as far as possible. A mutt on the MUT (multi-use trail) can take you down just as effectively as a car, but I figure the chances of avoiding serious injury are better.
This year is the year of turning 50 and being grateful for every run/bike/swim that I can do.
For running injuries: have 3-4 pairs of shoes in rotation; the yoga/pilates/resistance training I find helpful but boring; don't ignore any pain; ice is your friend, keep it close; run less, bike more. However every injury has its own etiology and has to be managed appropriately. In fact I'm less injured now than I used to be, since I know what all the pains mean and what needs to be done to placate them. Achilles pain = eccentric calf raises, knee pain = leg extensions, glute/hamstring pain = lower back and core strengthening plus piriformis point massage, ITB = replace shoes since the old ones are allowing underpronation/supination, back pain = swim more, and so on and on and on.
Swim and bike have not yet been major problems. One shoulder impingement, dealt with by some specific shoulder strengthening exercises; one piriformis issue from the stock Cervelo saddle, still being managed as above.
So, swim and bike as much as you like ;-) until the bike crash which is a whole new set of injuries. Traumatic injuries are a lot harder to deal with than overuse injuries. Those are the real career-enders. So, I do a lot of trainer biking, will never do a bike race, and stay off the roads as far as possible. A mutt on the MUT (multi-use trail) can take you down just as effectively as a car, but I figure the chances of avoiding serious injury are better.
Last edited by:
doug in co: Apr 12, 10 8:56