6 Months Post-Surgery!

I have finally hit my 6 month post-surgery mark! I feel that I have gotten back into training for all the events at almost 100% which is a great feeling. I still have to be cautious and hold back at times in practice to prevent re-injury. I feel that holding myself back and making sure I am absolutely ready has been one of the hardest tasks after surgery. I want so badly to participate in all workouts with my team mates and push to 100% but I have to remind myself that I am not quite there yet. My patience has been tested throughout this process but I have learned a lot and really value the quality of my workouts now instead of looking more at volume. It is difficult finding what works best for your own body structure training in five different sports.

 

One question that people frequently ask is what does a typical training day look like for a pentathlete?

 

On Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays I fence for 1 1/2 - 2 hours which includes footwork, partner drill, target drills, and or bouting with one another. After fencing we have an easy run, about 30 min to 1 hour, the distance varies depending on the mileage I need to accomplish that week. We have a hard swim these days which are about an hour and a half. These days also include a shooting or a mix of running and shooting combined.

 

On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays I will have a fencing lesson in the morning followed by agility/lifting. I do a lot of band and body weight exercises to keep my strength but not bulk up with too much muscle. On these days I will have a hard run such as a fartlek/interval workout or a track workout as well as an easier swim that is about an hour.

 

Along with all of this I try to include Pilates with my rehab exercises for my hip every day. I modify how many days I run and swim during the week depending on how I feel and how my body is responding to the workouts. It can be difficult to take it slower at times and realize that a day of rest will be more beneficial than grinding through a workout with extremely sore, fatigued muscles. Sundays are usually a rest and recovery day which is so nice and helps me catch up on homework and sleep.

 

Learning about recovery and what helps my body is important as well as a learning process. Massages are a necessity at least every week to help speed up the recovery. The support of people that I have has also helped out a ton. Workouts do not always go as well as you expect and sometimes hitting those splits in practice just aren’t happening which is frustrating.  I have learned that I am not always perfect.  Every day is a new day and will bring new obstacles that I need to be able to push through and make the best of what comes my way.

 

I hope this is interesting for everyone to read and see what a typical week of training is like as a full time pentathlete, and part time student. I am able to fit some fun in and get with friends which is much needed at times or when I have enough energy.

Summer is right around the corner and I am excited to be running more outside. Soon the outdoor pool at the training center will be open!