This is the 7th blog in the Clinical Pilates 4-week challenge.
1/9/15, by Jess Davies
Let me start with my final session with Jeremy before the big race. I was fortunate enough to have him all to myself for my pilates class, however I soon discovered that having Jeremy’s undivided attention is a little dangerous.
Over the last few weeks my stiff back and thigh muscles have become a frustration for Jeremy as they refuse to budge due to years of hard labour and poor ownership. After a few gentle exercises, they still weren’t responding as Jeremy wanted them to. So enough was enough and he decided to try a new tactic to loosen my limbs.
“Have you ever had dry needling before?” he asked. Oh no.
Fact #375: I hate needles. And I particularly dislike them when they are stuck into my bum and wiggled around so that my muscles spasm. However I had to admit that my muscles had received the wake up call they needed. The next day I could still feel where Jeremy had prodded me, but I can see the muscle-relaxing benefit of dry needling. It definitely provides an immediate result!
Fact #375: I hate needles…However I had to admit that my muscles had received the wake up call they needed.
I would like to point out that while my personal experience of both dry needling and foam rollers resulted in involuntary swearing, I know that this is purely based on the fact that my muscles are so ridiculously tight. Everyone will have a different experience, depending on their body, so don’t let my account affect whether or not you give it a go.
I left my last session at Wisdom Physiotherapy feeling very well looked after. While Jeremy did stick sharp needles in me, he also strapped my back so that I wouldn’t slouch for the days leading up to the marathon and he took great care in preparing my body as much as possible for the big race. It is this attention to my personal needs that really impressed me throughout this entire experience, and while some additional time with Jeremy would have helped me be more prepared for the marathon, I left feeling confident and far more knowledgeable about how my body moves.
Running the marathon
I was feeling really good starting this marathon – much better than the previous two that I had done. I was fitter and stronger than I had ever been before and I had newfound knowledge about how my muscles work and what bits of my body I should be using while running.
I was fitter and stronger than I had ever been before and I had newfound knowledge about how my muscles work and what bits of my body I should be using while running.
The good news is that I crossed the finish line and I completed the City to Surf Marathon. The great news is that I entered expecting to complete it in 4 hours and 30 minutes but managed to do it in 4:02.
There were a lot more hills that I had hoped for throughout the course including some slow and steady inclines in Kings Park and the evil climb of Underwood Avenue. My thighs burned and cursed me as I struggled up these and I could feel my glutes getting into it too. But despite the pain I managed to finish in a time that completely shocked me. I’m a little bit proud.
I am writing this two days after the marathon and I am hobbling around the house and saying “OWWWW!” a lot. Walking down stairs is always hard as my thigh muscles have contracted and I have ‘snap back’ legs as my fellow-runner cousin likes to call them. Every now and then my legs refuse to extend forward in their normal walking motion and I trip over my own feet. It must be hilarious to watch.
I had a massage today and that has loosened me up 
however I think my recovery procedures are about as lacking as my normal preparation. I was very lucky that Jeremy and Wisdom Physiotherapy challenged me to take this opportunity, because it definitely made me more prepared than I would normally have been.
…it definitely made me more prepared than I would normally have been.
I am leaving this experience with a new interest in clinical pilates and I will definitely be including it in my exercise routine in the future. I am moving to England later this week so sadly it will not be with Wisdom, however thanks to Jeremy and Elle, I now have a completely different outlook on pilates and highly recommend it to anyone who is contemplating giving it a go.
To try Clinical Pilates yourself, simply make an initial assessment appointment with Jeremy, Sandrine or Jane through our website booking system or call us on (08) 6389 2947.
To learn more about our Physiotherapy or Clinical Pilates services, simply click here.
