Reactor Poisoning

Linda and I recently had an opportunity to watch  the HBO 5 part series Chernobyl.  That series just left you limp from the stupidity of the entire event.  Linda was living in Europe at the time and had first hand knowledge of the events and more than likely was exposed to some radioactive materials.   I am not going to spoil the show if you have not watched it, but when your reactor is full of poison, in this case an isotope of Xenon, you need to work the process and take your time getting things safely under control.   Check it out if you get a chance.  

Last weekend I traveled to Ames, Iowa for the USATF Masters National Outdoor event.  I was going to run the 100, 200, relays and HJ.    The weather was quite warm with few clouds on a couple of the days and that made for a hot slow track.   I came into the event with a right hamstring that had given my a scare or pause the previous Friday near the end of one of my speed workouts. I had a 'grab' in the hammy at the start of a 100 meters grass rep and that just ended my workout right there. I rested it for 5  days and had not done anything at max effort sense the 'grab' until the HJ on Friday.  I warmed OK and jumped OK, but finished at 1.40 meters in 8 th place.  Nothing to write home about, but the legs were OK.   I ran the 100 prelim later that day and finished as 6th quick and made the finals the next day.  Our massage specialist had made my hammy feel really good and it held up the rest of my events.   I was feeling much better with my personal reactor poisoning out of my system. Thanks a bunch Wild Bill.  

Saturday morning we ran the 100 finals and I had a pretty good start and was challenging for a medal (I think) and at 70 meters was reaching for another gear when my left groin gave me a little tug and I eased off to finish 5 th in a slow time of 14.03.    After the race it was clearly evident that I was going to be done for the meet.   I did the ice treatment and threw in the towel.   It appears that my adductor longus was strained during the 100 meters.  That is the first time in forever I have had groin problems, but it happened.      Three days later, it is progressing well, but it will be 3 to 4 weeks of rest required to get back to anything like a leg workout.

Why this meet?? I had an iffy hammy and maybe I changed my form a little to compensate for that body part.  Or, a much better culprit is the closing of my gym several months back and I did not do my normal cable and leg work during my training period.  After the closing, I did not round another gym right away and with the pending move, found it a waste of time.  I think I was dead wrong.  I think my legs were not as strong as normal and that lack of strength was the real reason I had a failure in my left leg,   Hydration was an issue as well, I drank water and sports drinks continuously on Friday and could not get ahead of the clear skies.  I was not really hydrated until day 3, when I was drinking just as much liquid, but actually had a to pee a couple of times.    Hydration is always a big deal a these meets.

Was it a complete waste??  No, the SoCal team took the team title for the 17th time…I only provided 2 points but, I did a lot of cheering once I was out of the action.  Even though I was out, the team delivered!! and it is always fun to be a champion again.