Mid-Week Practice: Conditioning #1

Tuesdays are much better than Saturdays.

For now.

For the month of February, our Tuesday night practices consist of conditioning. What is this "conditioning," you ask? Let me give you an idea:

Okay, not really. But it's not too far off the mark.

It's a series of exercises designed to strengthen the muscles in our legs and, hopefully, our core. Think dumbbell lifting for your biceps, sit-ups for your abs, etc.

So, on this first Tuesday, I had spent the first half of the day walking around Disneyland. I didn't really think it would have any effect. How many times have I trekked around the parks and been just fine before? I hurried home (I left Disneyland to go exercise, I might need to rethink things) to make sure I had time to change and make it to practice. Once there, Coach Pete led us through a series of leg lifts, bridges, lunges, sumo walks, heel raises, planks, and other exercises I have no name for.

It wasn't terrible. At the time. Maybe my muscles started to feel a little worn out at the end of the reps, maybe my legs were quietly protesting what they thought was overuse. Overall, I felt awesome. I wasn't having shin splints and I could feel the muscles working.

The next day, I was still good. My legs had that feeling of a good workout and I couldn't wait to get out to do my easy 40 minutes. There may have been some twinging, but I felt like I was actually building toward something.

Then came Thursday.

I realized I had a problem when swinging my leg over the side of my mattress to get out of bed made me grit my teeth. Settling my entire weight on those poor, abused muscles drew the tiniest whimper from my mouth. Bending my legs to lower myself into a sitting position?

Forget it.

But, I still did my Thursday workout and made myself walk around Ikea with my mom and Suzanne. I didn't glare when my parents laughed at my waddle (okay, maybe I did a little). And I most certainly did not curse those exercises eight ways from Sunday.

I was simply grateful Friday was a rest day. Because, boy, did I need it.

It's okay, legs. You're going to look great when all this pain is over. I promise.