So far I am trying to manage my work-out, squeezing it somewhere in my busy schedule. I am also re-assessing my goals as far as my health is concerned. A few things I'd like to do this year 2011:
1. Run a half marathon with better pace and speed without the cramps.
2. Participate in a triathlon.
3. Control and maintain good sugar, cholesterol levels through diet and exercise.
4. Improve strength of muscles to maintain bulk (as I am approaching 50, my muscles are genetically predisposed to losing some bulk).
5. Be great in my current area of concentration in PT: focus more on outpatient conditions.
6. Have more travels and have fun fun fun.
For me to accomplish these, a few revisions will be needed. In principle, in the great scheme of things, I can no longer afford to procrastinate. I must have a better focus and a pragmatic approach to life - to plan ahead, know when to do what, prepare properly and be consistent. Last Sunday, I tried to simulate a half marathon in my training. My task was to see if my cramps are related to - dehydration, drop of glucose or muscle fatigue. Well, despite the GU and the water which obviously provided me my energy, I still cramped when I tried to speed up in the last 11-14 miles. The verdict sadly points towards muscle fatigue which, if analyzed correctly, emanates from weak muscles, which means, improperly trained muscles, which means, overloaded muscles. And this is where inadequate training comes into the picture.
I always jokingly tell my friends that I am the guy who trains in a high school football to play in NFL come the season. I am the perennial champion fish in a fishpond only to be thrown into the vast ocean.
So, to summarize my last week's work-out (and I'm the first to admit this: it was wrong wrong wrong :) ) I managed 2 short runs, 1 long run, 1 swim. Guess what's missing? Weight training. And... interval training and Pacing.
Yes, the last experiment I am embarking on is the effect of weight training on cholesterol and glucose. And improving speed in long runs with good muscle endurance. Here comes the interplay of lactic build-up, proper nutrition, rest, good training. Of course I pretty much have an idea but it's better to prove theories through the workings of my body.
I am finally getting more and more comfortable with outpatient setting in my hospital and my patients are beginning to appreciate my work for them. There is nothing more fulfilling than watching a man broken in five different places walking once again (with a minor limp of course) but thankful for whatever we've accomplished together. And I am thankful for the wonderful patients who are serious and motivated to get well. The hard work they put into the regimen is something that inspires me.
Right now, I am reading a good book, "My Own Country - A Doctor's Story" by Abraham Verghese. I don't know... I used to work in Tennessee and I thought I had a chance of working with the author. Just a hunch because he mentioned that he once worked in Lebanon, TN.