Yesterday I had planned on a nice 12-13 km. By the time I got home I had covered 16.25 km. That was a bit further than I had planned and I haven't covered that kind of distance since last summer. One year ago that certainly wouldn't not have felt like a big deal but yesterday, what can I say, I was dragging my butt and legs those last 3 km. In the afternoon, though I was very tired, it was not my legs that ached, it was the backs of my arms. Lee had instructed me that the arms need to be driven back (held at a 45 degree angle) with the hands coming behind the hip bones. She demonstrated by holding her hand flat behind my back and having me try to strike it hard with my elbows. The idea is that not only do we strengthen the fascia that runs from our shoulders and upper back to the glute to the hams and calfs, but also, driving the upper arms backwards drives the torso and hips forward. An added bonus is that I am losing those dreaded 'wings' that women develop under our arms. Four years of running had taught me to conserve upper body energy for use in the legs. So yes, after a 2.5 hour power walk it was my arms that were pooched, not my legs and butt. After a great night's sleep (worth noting as I having had a great one in a while), and a fabulous breakfast made by the world best husband, we are going a a recovery walk this morning, a 5km trail walk.
Happy travels everyone. Remember to keep the rubber side down.
