I met with my coach recently at the gym and learned some really valuable information about myself. Often times, we are so caught up with swimming, biking and running that we don't realize the little things that can add up to big problems.
As far back as I can remember I have had lordosis, a curvature in my spine that causes me to look like I have a stick up my butt when I walk and run. This is something that is pretty common, but has presented me with some problems in sport.
My coach is the first person to really pay attention to these small details and pinpoint some very important areas of weakness in my body. Throughout the years, the weaknesses in my posture, and core, and tightness in my hips has basically shut my glutes off. I have managed to get by through compensation, but a month ago, my knee gave up on me. It was my body's way of telling me that changes need to be made moving forward.
My homework these days is to stretch and strengthen my hips and squeeze/activate my glutes constantly. I am also trying to focus on tucking my core under to eliminate the lordosis in my spine at all times. Seems like pretty basic stuff, but I think that these little things will help me make huge leaps forward in the future. Glutes are the powerhouse in triathlon, so if I can get mine to work then I will be a stronger and more efficient athlete all around. Hopefully all of these things will add up and eliminate the pain from my knee that has been lingering for the past month.
The tight hips and weak glutes is often called "The Triathlete Syndrome," and is very common. Not so common, however, is people's focus on improving these imbalances and weaknesses to become better athletes. No one wants to spend time everyday stretching and fixing tiny little imbalances in your body- it hurts and it's boring. However, my coach believes that these changes will get me to a place I haven't been before- running and biking more efficiently with my glutes behind me and in turn, getting less tired from workouts from compensation. With this, all things should fall into place because I will be able to build volume/ intensity, recover and repeat for fitness gains.
Sure, I would love to be out running, but until I can make these changes, I will continue to compensate and put strain on my knee from weaknesses in other areas of my body. In the meantime, I still have plenty of options to get my endorphin fix each day and I am confident that in 2012, my body will be stronger and more efficient than ever.
Here's to a strong behind in 2012!
Jessica
