Gym Etiquette

I was in the gym this lunchtime doing some weights to help my knee recovery and I noticed a few things about my fellow gym goers.

Why do some men insist on wearing GAA short shorts, that look like polyester hot pants. This in itself is a crime but to do squats in them... Why?

Then in the changing rooms I got back from my shower to get my gear and there was a guy taking up the room of three or four people, 2 bags, shoes one place, gear another. I had to wait for him to move and boy was he slow.

So to be a good gym member, do not wear GAA hotpants or hog all the room in the changing rooms!

In memory of running (2)

After yesterday's posting about patella tendonitus I've gotten a few ideas.

Firstly my former yoga teacher suggested arnica oil as an anti-inflamatory. And Sarah (wife to be) suggested leg raises to strengthen the quad and standing on one leg (your good leg) and hold your thigh of your bad leg out at 90 degrees. This will also strengthen the quad muscle.

I also got a message from a doctor about Active Release Technique which I will look into today.

I will try the exercises along with the stretches and a small amount of weights in the gym and report back on my progress.

In memory of running

Back in 2004 I ran my first marathon, with about 6.5 months training I did the Dublin Marathon in 3.59.59. Every second counts! I continued training and in May 2005 I did the Belfast Marathon in a thoroughly bad time of 4.50 something the website is not working at the moment so I can't find the exact time.

Later in 2005, I fell running for a train in Oslo and I badly sprained my ankle.

I wanted to get back training so I went to a physio and have been over 20 times between now and then and the longest I have run since is 12 miles. And in the last 6 months I have not been able to run 1km.

Firstly I was given orthotics to correct my gait, which then threw off my left knee and I have developed patella tendonitus.

I've had patella tendonitus for over 6 months now and I have completely stopped training and have been to the gym rarely to do some upper body work but it's hard to be motivated when you can't run or cycle.

I do every stretch I have been asked to do, every exercise, worn every strap. Nothing seems to help and I have gone from having a slight twinge in my knee after 12 miles to an almost constant pain and an inability to run.

I would like to run another marathon to do one justice but it is lookin more and more unlikely.