From the learn-something-new-every-day department, I was reading over at Junky's RD one day last week, and she was singing the praises of her foam roller. I wondered. Aren't foam rollers the pink squishy things our moms put in their hair?
So... I googled away. How did we survive before google?
And I learned that foam rollers aren't for hair at all! I learned that "This form of stretching utilizes the concept of autogenic inhibition to improve soft tissue extensibility, thus relaxing the muscle and allowing the activation of the antagonist muscle"
Okay, actually, that sentence didn't teach me a whole lot. What??
Thank goodness for video!
After reading Junky's experience and googling and watching video, I was ready to try one out. I picked one up while I was out and about one day last week. I rolled around on the floor for a while with my new friend. Gawd, I think the earth moved~
Magnum, who has been doing the physical therapy for the bum knee, came home later that day. Coincidentally, he said he was using a foam roller - a.k.a meat grinder - in his therapy sessions and that we should get one.
"Abracadabra!", as I made one suddenly appear!
They're (relative to a masseuse) inexpensive, easy to store, and pretty darn simple to use. There are a few guidelines, but nothing a kindergartner can't understand.
So as I was enjoying a good roll this morning before my run, I was thinking about things I've learned from blog friends. Agg79 just finished yet another half-marathon and mentioned his "speed shell" in his post-race press conference.
This also sounded like a wonderful item I'd never heard of, so I did a little digging. I was unable to come up with what I think he has. I looked up "disposable jacket" and mostly just found chemical spill gear.
Hmm... that might make an interesting fashion statement at the next race.
In what ways has blogging been enlightening/educational?
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20 comments:
I LOVE my blue rolly thing - or more techinically, the foam roller.
I got mine before the new shooz, thinking that it would help my hamstrings. It definitely did, but I still give credit to the shooz for fixing the situation.
Anyway, I still use it after long runs especially, and it really does make the earth move. So glad you're loving yours!
(I've been googling Agg's speed shell as well. Never heard of 'em.)
Whenever you mentioned your rolly thing, I thought you meant something more like "The Stick". Foam rollers - who knew? But yeah, the shooz!!
I have a little foam roller. I bought it from the chiropractor for foot pain (which was later resolved with new shoes.) I didn't know there were BIG foam rollers. I have this lingering hamstring tightness/ache. When she talked about her rolly thing, I never realized ShadowRun was talking about something for hamstrings. Look how much I've learned already today!
I learn SO much from blogging. I try a lot of new recipes based on my blog travels.
Glad you like your roller! We've had one in the house for at least a year before I decided to use it. Man, didn't know what I was missing!
I shoulda been more specific. :) It's a big foam roller and gives an awesome deep massage - although you know that by now.
Did I tell you I got my second pair of shooz?
Terri, you gotta get one. Available at my favorite (not really) department store in the fitness aisle. Feels so good on the hamstrings. :)
Better late than never! And I'm on my second pair of the shooz too - some kind of berry color.
Yeah, get one! They're pretty easy to find - by the big balls and yoga mats. And yes, recipes. You've reminded me it's a good week for crock pot burgers.
I'd never heard of them, thanks for the recommend!
Hah, I suddenly and a vision of you running in a biological warfare suit! Probably not recommended...
After you and SR300 have recommended, I may just have to get one. My son has a roller that he has been using for a year or so. I may borrow his on his next visit to see if it helps.
And sorry about misdirection on the jacket. It's actually called a Sheddable Shell. Works really nice when waiting on those early morning runs.
What? I totally thought foam rollers we for curling your hair too!
And now I am seriously picturing Agg wearing a hazmat suit in his next race!
I dunno, could throw off the competition?!
There's an image!
Mine's 30" long with a 6" diameter. About $40 for compressed foam. Someone's making some money.
I have roller envy. Mine's only 18" long, but the same diameter. I may have paid a little less, but still. Someone IS making money. Whatever, though. It's worth it!
Oh... uhm... that's a bit short, but that nice girth should keep you happy!
I'm supposed to be getting stuff out of my house instead of bringing more in, however, I might need this little (or big) apparatus. Hmmm...
I'll Google image it later, but I think I saw Michael of "Kelly and Michael" fame using one as I ate breakfast a few days ago.
Too many enlightening and educational things to list that I've learned from blogging. You all (my fellow bloggers) are good teachers and entertainers.
Purge 2 things, then get your roller. No guilt!
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