It's Almost Nationals!

Anna Stuffs Up Her Training

I took a fortnight off after the Bad As, with just a couple of quiet training sessions a week. Although I had entered the South Island Powerlifting Champs and had my trip to Christchurch all planned the weekend after going to Wellington, I decided not to go. I  had already qualified for Nationals and still sick as a dodo from the flu. With a jewellery to make for an imminent deadline as well, making the trip to Christchurch was not the wise thing to do. 

Feeling much better but still coughing, I jumped back into training. My coach Bruce had a new program for me, with more reps at lighter weights and an emphasis on perfecting form. I was uneasy about all the time I had to take off training with being sick, and before that with a strained calf muscle. Nationals were close and I tried to make up lost time by training hard and long. With that work my squat has improved outta sight, and my bench press movement is surer with no shoulder pain. Those are wins.  

Two weeks of workouts on my Beyond The Whiteboard logging page. Seriously, Anna, what were you thinking???

But cracking along at that training pace proved to be unsustainable. The cough got worse. My whole body started to hurt from DOMS as bad as a CrossFit beginner the day after Murph. I found myself horribly, miserably tired, incapable of my most important job as Mum. I went to see the Doctor again and was diagnosed as "overtrained and stressed". I shouldn't have needed a medical professional to tell me that. The Doc prescribed less training, afternoon naps, and blackcurrants. I have been obeying. I'm pleased to report that I'm feeling better and promise I will be more careful next time. 

Today's deload session. Will just be moving without shifting weights for the next few days until after Nationals.

Right now, I'm TWO SLEEPS AWAY from getting on a plane to go to Nationals. There's so much to look forward to: the plane trip (I get inordinately excited about planes), the competition (I LOVE competing, that's what all this effort is about) seeing my friends in Auckland (old friends are  precious) and the New Zealand Fitness Expo. Seriously heaps of things going on at that, short vid below.  And not the least exciting, I have five days and nights away from home, not being responsible for anyone but myself. 

Have you gotten overtrained before? What did it feel like to you? How did you recover?
Are you going to the Powerlifting Nationals and/or the New Zealand Fitness Expo? See you there!