My foam roller and it’s other uses

I have this on off relationship with my foam roller. Sometimes were are inseparable and at other times it sits and gathers dust and I don’t give it a second look.

This got me thinking of the uses it has for me…other than giving me a painful massage.

Here are my top five (other) uses for my foam roller.

Use 1 – The Dryer

As part of my attempts at space saving I use my foam roller to help dry my socks and gloves.  I just don’t have the space on the radiator to fit everything on so the foam roller comes in really handy here…and technically I can’t get criticised for leaving my triathlon kit on the floor.

Use 2 – The Draught Excluder

Its pretty ineffective but better than nothing.  It turns our draughty gaps under the door into a mild breeze instead.

Use 3 – The Coat Hanger

I am living at my in-laws until we move into our new house and space is at a premium so my foam roller handily doubles as a dumping ground for my cycling kit.  Wedge it up in a corner and it is an ideal mini clothes horse.

Use 4 – The Bedside Table

The bedside table is not one that gets used regularly but its comforting to know my under used foam roller is right there if I suddenly have the urge to give my aching muscles a bit more pain…other than that it doubles as a mini bedside table for charging my Garmin and phone.  And yes…those are triathlon mags for my bedtime reading (sad I know).

Use 5 – The Foot-Stool

I think I’ve saved the best until last, my favourite.  It doubles as a great foot rest.  Basically I’m following doctors orders.  R.I.C.E.  I’m resting, the drinks are on ice, compression socks are on and my feet are elevated while watching the Six Nations.  See RICE – rest – ice – compression – elevation.

I’d love to find out what else I can use my foam roller for.  Any suggestions?

 

 

 

 

My top seven post workout recovery products

Do you ever have those training sessions where you feel liked you worked hard or picked up a strain or an ache? It might be after a long cold bike ride or a run where you can feel something that just doesn’t warrant physio or a doctor. I have a reoccurring niggle in my back that I have been attempting to shift. I’ve been working on my core with Pilates and doing my warm up and cool down stretches but the niggle is still there.

I’ve been testing and trying out several different products to see what suits me best to help with my back and post workout recovery. Here are my thoughts and recommendations…

A pre workout breakfast – Homemade Muesli

Other than good old bran flakes muesli is my favourite cereal.  I could eat it by the bucket full…but in my bid to eat clean I have steered away from the shop bought muesli as it contains all sorts of salts, sugars and preservatives.

I wanted something that would see me through my early swims, the Saturday triathlon club bike rides and the mid morning events that I’ve entered.

I found a really simple DIY healthy muesli recipe that I’ve adapted and tweaked to suit my taste buds.  Its packed full of goodness and keeps you going without the sugar crashes.

Supercharged healthy post-workout drink

Although this looks like pond water I tastes great!

Smoothies are an excellent idea, they take moments to make, they are packed full of goodness, you can control what you put in them…and more importantly you can control what to leave out.

It only has five ingredients and tastes amazing.

Pilates. Is it not just for girls?

My gym routine and training for triathlons was giving me a few aches, pains and my posture while swimming, cycling and running was not quite right.  The guys at Absolute Health were saying “Do Pilates”, my swim coach was saying “Do Pilates” and I thought I may as well give it a go.

Fitness workout plan for a new starter triathlete

Firstly I want to wish everyone a very happy New Year, and for those who have made resolutions I wish you well with completing them.  This is the first year in a long time I haven’t made any resolutions.  I find it hard to stick to them and if I am honest any resolutions I made I was already doing the previous year before.  One of the main recurring resolutions I had was to get myself fitter than I have ever been.

I was never a particular sporty kid.  I was absolutely always close to last at being picked for team games at school.  My parents are not sporty people and my mates, when growing up, we not sporty.

Only in the last few years have I decided to get myself fitter.  I wasn’t over weight, I wasn’t particularly unhealthy but I wanted to get fitter…and combat the emerging middle aged spread.  My main issue was that I didn’t know where or how to start.  I needed a bit of encouragement.

Tried and tested; protein powders for triathlon training

I been training of sorts for a few years now but recently I have taken a grasp of my training and tried to structure it in a meaningful way.

I completed a 10km outdoor swim in September 2011 and I got chatting to a few guys down the lake I trained in and they recommended protein recovery drinks to help me recover and rebuild muscles.

I use protein shakes as part of my post workout recovery.  I am conscious that there are lots of products on the market and I’m not talking steroids or anything like that.  Just off the shelf sports recovery powder drinks.  I definitely don’t want to become one of those dudes who can’t put their arms down because their muscles on their muscles make them look they are carrying a roll of carpet under each arm…they probably could though.  That is not me and not my aim…and apparently it makes things shrink.

Below are the ones I have tried.  I have given them ratings out of 5.

Proof a structured workout plan improves run times

I have published a couple of workouts but wanted to back them up with a bit of credibility and show that a structured plan improves run times…or at least has with me.

I had just completed the Blenheim Palace Sprint Triathlon, my first ever triathlon event. I really enjoyed it but I struggled towards the end.  I really struggled.  My run became my nemesis.

How I chiselled 2 minutes off my 5km PB

To help build up my running I do a routine that leaves my legs exhausted by the end. It is a short routine and doesn’t take too much brain power other than remembering how many sets you have done.

My kettle bell workout routine

I am in full swing for training for my triathlon events and am using the winter months to work on my core and build up strength.

I thought I would share one of my routines with you. I like this one because you can do it at home and you only need a kettle bell.