In an attempt to train in the weeks before my CN Tower stair climb for the WWF, I’ve been trying to kick up my exercise intensity level. You know… P90X-style: through muscle confusion by doing a lot of various physical activities.
My body now feels like it’s been run over by a pack of wild clog-wearing wildebeest.
According to the interwebs I am experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). I haven’t felt this sore since the days after my snowboarding stint back in university (and I was only on the beginner hill).
Tuesday, I went kickboxing for the first time in over a year. It was fun getting to put back on my hand wraps and gloves, but when you’re instructed to do 500 swing kicks, knees, and jab-cross combos in a row, it can really take a lot out of you.
I honestly thought I was going to faint in the middle of the workout. Luckily I was partnered up with another girl who totally understood my pain, and I was able to get through it with a few breathers in between.
Wednesday is when the soreness started to happen, particularly in my quads and hamstrings. But that didn’t stop me from going salsa dancing Thursday night! That’s right, I slapped on some muscle cooling gel and danced through the pain.
Friday I took up an offer from a friend of mine to participate in a basketball tournament. It’s been a few years since I was part of an organized basketball team. Even though I was traumatized from my last bout when another girl elbowed me in the mouth as she was going up for a rebound (my lip was swollen for days), but I was happy to play. A bit rusty, but I had a scored couple baskets and even had a Mutombo-style block! Played another game on Saturday night as well (we even scored silver medal)!
I was going to try to make a dance run tonight, but had a family event to attend and loads of work to do for my deadline tomorrow ‘at the office’. Plus, my forearm muscles, back muscles, and strangely enough my gluteus maximus are aching.
A few tips to help alleviate muscle soreness:
- Gentle stretching – Both before and after exercise. I really need to work on this.
- Get a massage – Since there’s no pool boy to help me with this, I’m going to have to make use of my annual health benefits coverage.
- Take a Hot Bath – The heat will help with circulation, adding some Epsom salts and some essential oils like lavender will help with the relaxation process.
- Light Exercise – I know, it sounds like fighting fire with fire, but keeping your body active with low-intense exercise (even if you’re muscles are sore) will help oxygen get to the muscles and start the healing process.
Less than a week until I climb up all those 1776 steps. I’ll probably do a bootcamp class this week and sprinkle some salsa in before the big day.
Am I doing too much? I need to remember that I’m not Super Woman, but I’ll make sure to keep the A535 on hand.
