#DadBlog: Setting Up A Routine

By: Mike Caterini

Ahhh Gaad…I can’t take it anymore…please …must you be so brutal? “I’m sorry sir, but did you think that undoing 30 years of physical neglect and abuse would be that easy. I’m trying to be as gentle as possible. But you’re tighter than an 80 year old man.” “Well 80 is the new 30, so treat me with more respect”, I shot back to my massage therapist, who was raking my thighs with her bare knuckles. “Sir, your fascia, the connective tissue that supports and wraps muscle, is restricted and twisted due to inactivity, bad posture and injuries. This myofascial release therapy will stretch and loosen the fascia so that it and the muscles it binds can move more freely. Be patient, results will take time, but you’re responding much better today than on your first visit.”. How did I get to this state? BIame it all on my daughter. ‘ I’ll take you back to last weekend’.

“Hi Dad. Have you committed to your new training regimen? How were your workouts last weekend?” “Well, I didn’t start anything Saturday because of work. Sunday was -15 F and I had a head cold, so I didn’t risk running outside. On Monday I had every intention to workout, but the gym was closed for the Family Day holiday, so I did leg exercises at home.“ “At least that’s a start Dad. Did you do any cardio?” she enquired. “Well, on Tuesday I ran on the treadmill, but I had to pull up after 20 minutes due to hamstring tightness.” “Sounds like #dadblog is becoming more like #excuseblog” she said. “Hey, one can never be too careful when dealing with pain”, I responded in my defense. “I wouldn’t want to get injured just as I get out of the blocks” I did a couple workouts over the next few days although my body felt tight and somewhat twisted and my legs were like lead.

“Dad, some discomfort is to be expected when starting an exercise routine. You could definitely benefit from a foam roller and myofascial release therapy. Go to a running store and also make an appointment with a therapist ASAP”, she advised. So I went to the running store and asked the owner for his best foam roller. The owner handed me something that was not foam at all, but hard plastic with all these one inch nodules sticking out! It resembled some torture device from a dungeon in Game of Thrones. “You surely must be mistaken?” I said. “No I’m not. This is the best there is. Give it a try and feel improvements over the next few weeks” he responded with conviction. “Next time you’re in, you’ll be feeling so good you’ll buy a new pair of shoes”.

A few more days have since passed and guess what? I’m feeling looser and less fatigued. It’s a Family Day miracle!