New Things

Another quieter day today with a morning spent jogging and not a lot else. After the riding yesterday I figured I should take it a bit easier today so that is just what I did.

The jogging this morning was pleasant enough, although if I am honest the process is quite frustrating. I am not sure if you have ever tried to run while keeping your heart rate below 120bpm, but it is not an easy thing. What results is not really running, more a mix of jogging and walking. It gives you a workout for sure, but I can't help but wonder how useful a training session it is. That isn't to say that I am going to give up on my jogging little outings. If nothing else they are a good chance to clear the head. But I think I will also be giving some other activities a bit of a go.

Something I have discussed previously is the feeling of liberation that came with my diagnosis. Call it a silver lining if you will. The feeling of liberation came from the realisation that if I didn't want to swim, bike or run, then I didn't have to. I have no race to prepare for at the moment, rather for me keeping fit is now the goal, I am not too bothered how I do it. I have done a bit of surfing since my surgery and I think I am going to be experimenting in a few other activities. In particular I am going to be looking for activities that keep my heart rate around that magical 110 to 120bpm without me having to particularly think about it. At the moment when I run or ride I am constantly watching my heart rate. It would be good to find an exercise that didn't require such close attention. I will still keep riding and jogging because I enjoy them, but I am looking forward to seeing what else is out there.

Besides trying new and exiting forms of exercise, tomorrow I will also be back down to Claremont Pool to help Paul with the Monday Morning Pure Technique session. Of all the sessions of the week, this is the one that I think I can learn the most from. In the other sessions down at Claremont I have been watching people swim, trying to look at their technique. Tomorrow that is the entire point. Plus, I find there is no better way to increase your understanding of drills than either doing them yourself or watching other people do them. Should be lots of that tomorrow.

Plenty of new experiences to be getting on with.