10.6 Diaries #7 Indoor Sprint Training And Lifting!

Welcome back to the 10-6 Diaries, where we dive into the world of sprinting and the life of an athlete. Today, let's talk about the ups and downs of training, the relentless pursuit of progress, and the importance of listening to your body.

Unpredictable Mondays: Emirates Arena Adventures

Monday, the start of a new week, a fresh slate for an athlete to push their limits. This particular Monday, I found myself at the Emirates Arena, seeking refuge from the rain and cold that wouldn't make for ideal sprint training conditions. My goal was simple: high-quality repetitions.

The session consisted of three sprints - 20, 30, and 40 meters. Surprisingly, I walked away with my second-best time for the 40-meter sprint. It's a curious thing; I've always seemed to perform exceptionally well at the Emirates Arena. Perhaps it's the presence of training groups, the motivation, and the adrenaline that fuels my sessions.

This progress was invigorating, and it's fascinating to see how far I've come since my previous session. I'm eagerly anticipating the upcoming 100-meter sprint, scheduled for the 29th, as I mentioned in my last video. However, there's a caveat.

The Nagging Adductor Tightness

Every athlete faces obstacles, and right now, mine comes in the form of adductor tightness. It first reared its head during a Wednesday session, while I was doing 50-meter sprints. Things were going swimmingly; I hit 10 meters per second for the first time in training. But in the final stretch, my adductor decided to tighten up, around 20 meters in. I soldiered through the rest of the repetition, and it felt reasonable afterward. However, the tightness persisted.

I had to rest and opted for a basic circuit the next day, focusing on getting my blood flowing and maintaining some movement. I took Friday off, did some jumps on Saturday, and another rest day on Sunday. Then, on Monday, I was back at it, running my second-fastest 40-meter time ever. During this session, there was no tightness in sight, neither during sprints nor weightlifting.

Yet, the next day, it hit me like a ton of bricks. My lower body felt like it had been through a grueling ordeal. My calves, hamstrings, quads, and, of course, my adductors were all sore. I thought little of it, but perhaps I should have been more cautious.

The Importance of Listening to Your Body

I rested for a few days, with the intention of resuming training on Wednesday. However, my body had other plans. It was still too tight for a productive session. I knew it was time to make a mature decision – to know when to push and when to step back. So, I cut that session short.

On a brighter note, I did run a 4.14 for the first 30-meter block start of the day. This time is reminiscent of my average training pace from last year when I was in sub-11-second shape. Despite the frustration of having to cut my session short, I must remind myself that these hurdles can make me a better athlete and a more resilient individual.

Trusting the Process

The adductor tightness is persisting, and I need to be wise in the week ahead. I still hope to open up on the 29th, but I might need to make slight adjustments if the tightness lingers. It's crucial to be prudent; I don't want to risk injury so early in the season.

As I navigate these challenges, I hold onto one truth: I need to trust the process and be patient. In time, with a string of injury-free months and consistent training, I'll be in peak condition, ready to break personal records.

Thank you for joining me on this rollercoaster of an athlete's journey. Stay tuned for more adventures in sprinting and life. Until next time!