Three Things Thursday: Form fitting

1. A funny thing happened on the way to Bodypump. Actually, the "it" really happened during Bodypump. Shit. No. It happened after Bodypump.

Wait. Let's get this right. I noticed something funny after Bodypump because of something I did in Bodypump as a result of something that happened before Bodypump.

Got it? Good.

In an effort to alleviate any unnecessary pressure on my hip flexors, I have dropped my weight dramatically during Bodypump for any track that involves the hip flexors - squats, back and lunges. My usual squat weight ranges from 17 kg to 20 kg and, Tuesday, it was 9 kg. Nine friggin' kilos - not even 20 pounds.

The interesting thing, though, is that as I've dropped weight, I've found that I am more sore. Seriously. If you had asked me to sit on a toilet yesterday, it would have involved some dropping it like it's hot. Anyway, my hypothesis is that by reducing my weight, I am achieving a greater range of motion and focusing more on my form and thus improving the quality of the action. It just goes to show that you don't need to lift heavy for good results.

2. Speaking of my sore ass - not my pso-as - I'm wondering if it contributed to the tightness in my lower extremities, a fact the orthopedic doctor emphasized several times during my visit today.

I had made the appointment Monday after (irrationally) convincing myself that I had a stress fracture but  nearly canceled it a half-dozen times after a relatively successful run yesterday and a continued improvement in pain. However, I figured it was better to be safe than sorry and showed up at 9 a.m.

There were some screens to test range of motion relative to pain, X-rays and more movement screens (Stork test, hello!). I would be lying if I said that my anxiety did not grow as the exam grew longer. I feared that maybe the crazy was right, and I was going to be sidelined this fall. But not so. I just have a strained/sprained hip flexor (as previously thought) and an irrationally tight sacroiliac joint. Actually, my entire hip complex is tight - so much so that my hips are not aligned and the doctor prescribed physical therapy.

The good news is that I can run, run now and run long. The doctor, who is a runner herself and member of one of the local groups, said I might need to reconfigure my training (skipping a cut back week) but sees no reason why I can't do Veterans in November.

3. I just ate a fun-size package of peanut butter M&Ms. They did not make my tummy feel good. That is all.

Note: I realize No. 3 has nothing to do with anything but what do you want from me? I've spent the better part of the week obsessing over phantom and not-so-phantom pains in my psoas. Because I am a crazy, self-centered fool.

Favor of the week: Give me something else to think about. What's your current obsession?