Triathlons & Chiropractic
So what kind of hobbies do you have that you love, that are also good for you? I love triathlons, and this year is my 30th year in the sport! Isn’t that crazy?!? Some of you reading this are not even 30 years old, yet my first triathlon was in 1986, a sprint distance race in Cape Cod, MA. I signed up with a friend; I swam along side her, left to change clothes in the bathroom (not allowed these days in a triathlon); then rode my bike wearing a borrowed helmet and running shorts, and then did the 3 mile run. I’m not sure how long it took, but it obviously was enough fun that I kept on doing them. Sure there have been some years since then that I have not raced at all, but in general, I have completed more than 100 triathlons, from the shorter sprint distance races to the longer Ironman distance races. I think my favorite is the Olympic distance race (0.9 mile swim; 26 mile bike and 6.2 mile run).
I have been blessed with some good fortune in these races as well. The highest I have ever finished was 5th overall and I have had numerous age group wins and have qualified for the age group national championships several times. The feeling of being fit and doing well are two of the things that keep me going. It’s always a challenge to do a race, wondering if I’ve trained enough and wondering who else will show up and how I will finish. Just this past weekend I competed in a triathlon, finishing 3rd in my age group. I raced five triathlons this season, getting 2nd and 3rd place in four of them, which of course makes me happy. I’m always thankful that the other super fast women don’t show up on those days!
While the competitive drive in me keeps me going, it is chiropractic care that really keeps me going. Without weekly adjustments, I’m not sure I could be competing this often or this intense. I have a friend that I trade adjustments with, either weekly or every other week, and it ensures that my nervous system is working well, that my joints and spine are in alignment and that I’m as healthy as I can be. Without these adjustments, I’m pretty sure I’d be injured more. But because everything is working well, I’m able to work out often and avoid injury. If I feel an overuse injury coming on, I rest my body, get an extra adjustment, get a massage, stretch more, or all of those things. The adjustments keep my body in line, keeps my nervous system working at its best, and I stay healthy.
When was your last adjustment? Are you getting adjusted to get out of pain, or to ensure that you can perform at your best? Are you getting adjusted to help keep your body healthy? Are you getting your kids adjusted, ensuring that they don’t grow up with vertebral subluxations that could interfere with their overall health and potential? I know that chiropractic adjustments can help everyone be healthy and function well. I know that you can enjoy your hobbies better if your body isn’t subluxated. Chiropractic care has kept me going, and I know it can help you too.