Stretching Imagery

Podcast link: The Truth About Stretching

While listening to this podcast, I learned some new things that are helping me to daydream in helpful ways while stretching.  The podcast mentioned how focused stretching helps speed muscle recovery by stretching out and realigning muscle fibers.  Mmmm ... realigning muscle fibers. 

When I think of realigning muscle fibers, I think of untangling and reorganizing inner wires.  I like this imagery because it's both gross and soothing.  I love tidying and untangling things.  When I was a kid, I used to keep myself busy while my mom went clothing shopping by untangling Slinkies - the more tangled, the better.  This was pre-Smartphone and pre-Gameboy. 

Now when I'm stretching, I imagine my muscle fibers slowly realigning along lines of force created by various stretches like some gross, body-tissue version of a tangled Slinky.  When I'm totally absorbed in the daydream, this imagery is accompanied by slimey and fiber-like sound effects.  Delicious !!!

A Diary for Diligence

[Author: The Younger J]
[Images: The Older J]

So we created this blog in order to keep us motivated in our self-assigned lifetime running goals.

I think it is important to note here that Older J already created a Google document complete with 6 tabs that delineate our exercise routines and races. Now, while this may not sound extraordinary (bordering obsessive maybe), let me briefly describe this document. It kind of explains how this blog even came into existence.

My sister flew in from Austin, Tx with a project already set out - she had created flash cards to maintain colorful variety in her circuit training routine. She added pictures, directions, and even log tables to these flash cards. Did I mention they are color coded?

I think the set of flash cards was the gateway drug.

She then proceeded to track her exercise progress electronically. I am not sure how I got involved, but I must admit - she's persuasive (although I don't think she really asked). She made various tables (also color coded) and a calendar to track everything.

Now, while the flash cards would have been enough for me.. this of course was not good enough for Older J. It was important for her to see her exercise totals. She suggested this blog as well, to which I also agreed.

I must admit - I am excited.

Drawback: Older J and I can never maintain a diary.

Tab 1: Our Year of Fitness !!!

A calendar that shows our workouts

Tabs 2/3: 2011 Real Races !!! & Pre-2011 Races !!! Two tabs that record our race dates, locations, running partners, pacing, times, notes, html links to the race pages and race results.

Tabs 4 & 5: Run Janice !!! & Run Janelle !!! Two tabs where we record and plan past/future running workouts.

Tab 6: Get Stronger Janice !!! Stores my circuit workouts - color-coded to match my color-coded circuit cards. Mua-hahahahaha!!!

Tab 7: Learn !!! Links to articles about fitness, running, etc. No image provided.

I stand corrected. Seven tabs.