Day 23 - Middle Splits Challenge
With the same mindset like yesterday's, I was prepped to keep the challenge going.
I was able to attend the gym today and spent some quality time stretching my whole body.
When I got back home, I started the warm-up drills for the splits.
The Training
I started with my regular warm-ups
As I've said before, I like starting with these drills because the first few exercises were done lying down; so, one gradually eases into the session, making it much easier to start.
I also completed some straddle leg lifts
I followed up with some wide leg horse stance, leg swinging, hamstring stretches and even leg lift.
20 mins later, I was ready.
The Experience
Similar to yesterday, I didn't feel any soreness; as a result, my hip flexors responded to the stretches.
I could feel my glutes (oh yeah, I'm learning about the muscles involved now :D) and hamstrings responding as I pushed down.
I made sure not to push down too hard, but to keep pushing while I feel the stretches.
I was sweating profusely!
After the 5th set, I rested for 60 seconds and I started the front splits.
60 seconds on each leg, 60-second rest in between, I completed 2 sets of those.
The front splits isn't a real goal at the moment, but since I'm already working on the middle splits, it makes sense to give the front splits a TLC as well so that when it becomes a goal, I don't have to start from zero.
Once done with front splits, I went into a headstand, with a pillow supporting my head and my back against the wall.
In headstand, I lifted my legs slowly, sometimes straight, other times tucked, working on my stability by engaging my core muscles.
Once I was done, I prepared for work.
Informal Sessions
I did some wide leg horse stance while brushing and throughout the day, strengthening my legs. I don't really push down during horse stance since the main goal is to engage the quads (thigh muscles) to keep the hold while the hip flexors maintain their current stretch; so, it's a warm-up drill.
I completed more headstand sessions throughout the day as well.
7 more days until this challenge is over; without a miracle, there's almost 0% probability that I will complete the middle splits.
But you know what? The most important thing is to keep at it. The muscles are responding to the exercises and I'm keeping fit.
Very soon, my butts will touch the ground with my legs at 180 degrees from each other.