I was going to be Spud Webb-

Seriously, at age 8 and 4-foot nothing, I truly believed I was going to be the female version of Spud Webb. I could look up to him because at 5'6" he possessed elfin magic compared to his 6'5" counterparts. I was short but I loved basketball and could picture myself playing hoops in college wearing the Auburn orange and blue. This was not just a dream, in my little mind this was my destiny. In 7th grade I played b-ball for Troy on the "A" team but was the worst of the best. I was only good at stealing the ball but had no skills what so ever after that. I could steal because I was short and could get in at angles and pop the ball away. I played in 8th grade as well but had accepted the fact that super-star basketball maven would not appear in my biography. This was apparent to me since I lacked the natural skills, height, and most of all "ups" of players like the honorable Spud Web.

This lack of "ups" has been a crushing joke to me since the painful day evil Coach Villerale asked me in the 7th grade locker room what my vertical number was since she forgot to write it down during the testing. When I said it out loud, she responded with a laugh and a "No, really.... Wait, you are serious?". A sheepish yes came out of my mouth and all hopes of huddles, triple jump, and of course high jump stardom were left in between the cinder block locker room walls then and there. But don't cry for me or take this as sadness. I had a very successful time at being setter in volleyball, pulling out killer stunts in cheerleading, running the long distances in track, and who ever heard of a tennis player that needed to jump high?

This all brings me to my recent workout of plyometrics. Since I lack the jump ability, I was a bit nervous about doing a plyo workout. Here's the quick wikipedia definition of plyometrics:

"Plyometrics is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in a specific sport. Plyometric movements, in which a muscle is loaded and then contracted in rapid sequence, use the strength, elasticity and innervation of muscle and as it was supposed to be surrounding tissues to jump higher, run faster, throw farther, or hit harder, depending on the desired training goal. Plyometrics is used to increase the speed or force of muscular contractions, often with the goal of increasing the height of a jump or the speed of a punch or throw."


I did a great plyo workout from a video that I also counted as one of my HIT workouts. I survived. It was tough and I really enjoyed it. I did do it by myself in the privacy of my own home. If someone had been watching me, like my wonderful boyfriend, they would have probably laughed at my leaps and jumps but hey, I'm working on it. I'm planning to add this type of training once a week to my schedule. Don't know how exactly it will help me with running, biking, or swimming but I know it will.

It is funny, as I read over this post I feel there is more I should put regarding the plyo workout but after writing for a while, I'm worn with typing and feel like riding. I'm off then to get on two wheels...

Peace to ya'll, ride blessed, and be good to each other.