Two is too hard

Dec14
by Duf on December 14, 2016 at 6:33 pm
Posted In: Daily Workouts, Endurance activities

Most Sunday’s I am out early at the track getting my weekly “long” run in of a little more than four miles.  I have been covering that distance for awhile.  What I don’t understand is why if I can run four miles on a Sunday, why do two miles on the treadmill on a Wednesday feel nearly as difficult?  The 2.25 miles I covered today as part of my brick just felt uncomfortable the entire time.

Today’s Workout 

Run/Ride Brick

20 minute run – 2.25 miles

10 minute stationary bike – 3.13 miles

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At least got there

Dec13
by Duf on December 13, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Posted In: Daily Workouts

After missing the gym Monday due to an issue at work I got there today and put in a solo bench press session.  I was conservative with my top end, not wanting to enlist anyone other than my trusted bench press partner for a spot.  The exertion level overall was good considering it was spot-less.

Today’s Workout

5 minutes cardio/stretching

Barbell bench press – 135lbs x 10, 185lbs x 5, 215lbs x 1, 220lbs x 1, 220lbs x 1, 250lbs x 3, 185lbs x 8, 135lbs x 12

Cybex pec dec – 110lbs x 10

10 pull ups

Cybex pec dec – 150lbs x 10

10 pull ups

Cybex pec dec – 190lbs x 6

10 pull ups

 

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A tragic gym first

Dec08
by Duf on December 8, 2016 at 6:47 pm
Posted In: Daily Workouts, Today at the Gym

So shortly after I got to the gym I was talking to my buddy Jim who just happened to just get engaged which I congratulated him on.  After thanking me he told me a very shocking story.  Earlier in the week I guy I have known from the gym for a long time and a co-worker of Jim’s was in the gym working out in the morning.  He had just finished a strenuous set on the smith machine and suddenly dropped, hard, hitting his head on the way down.  He was rushed to the hospital but died the following day. Jim said the guy had a brain aneurysm.  He was only 49 years old, the age I will be in 8 days, wow.

The news struck me hard.  Although my interaction with the guy was minimal, never extending beyond a hi, smile, or nod, I knew him for a long time, six or seven years if I were to guess. He very much kept to himself at the gym, hardly speaking a word while jamming to whatever music was on his headphones.  He did a lot of short, heavy movements and a lot of them were on that same smith machine that he dropped at.  Despite our lack of meaningful communication, he worked out consistently and hard, two things I always admire.

The rest of my workout had the news hanging over me like a dark cloud.  The way he died and his age coinciding with mine was a very sobering combination.

Today’s Workout

Who cares…..

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No Hinge

Dec07
by Duf on December 7, 2016 at 6:32 pm
Posted In: Daily Workouts

One week ago I hurt my right elbow doing tricep extensions.  Today I was very careful to not do anything tricep-wise that used the joint as a flimsy hinge.  I felt ok as long as I was doing tricep pressing exercises where the elbow is sharing the load instead of bearing the brunt of it.

Today’s Workout

5 minutes cardio/stretching

20 pull ups

Seated alternating dumbbell curls – 25lbs x 10

Neutral grip dumbbell flat bench tricep press – 40lbs x 10

Seated alternating dumbbell curls – 40lbs x 8

Neutral grip dumbbell flat bench tricep press – 50lbs x 10

Seated alternating dumbbell curls – 50lbs x 3

Neutral grip dumbbell flat bench tricep press – 60lbs x 8

Standing one arm preacher curl – 25lbs x 10

Bodyweight dips x 15

Standing one arm preacher curl – 30lbs x 8

Bodyweight dips x 15

Standing one arm preacher curl – 35lbs x 5

Bodyweight dips x 15

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Where’s Jimmy, Unfun 5K

Dec06
by Duf on December 6, 2016 at 7:05 pm
Posted In: Daily Workouts, Endurance activities, Injuries

I often will comment here about the various individuals at the gym that annoy me for some reason or another.  Of course there are many people I enjoy talking to as well.  One of them is named Jimmy.  I think I have talked about Jimmy once or twice before.  He is a very strong man, lumberjack/farmer kind of strong.  He is in his early 60’s and snowbirds from Pennsylvania. Our shared rooting interest in Philadelphia sports teams is what got us talking in the first place.

I always got a kick out of the “lifting gloves” Jimmy used when he was pushing and pulling amounts of weight I could never touch.  He wore standard leather work gloves.  He said he just liked the way they felt.  I also found it amusing that Jimmy, who if I were to guess was 6’2″ and 230 pounds drove a new Prius.  He said he loved the gas mileage, boasting of getting 55mpg on his trips down from PA.

I just found him to be very engaging to talk to.  You could tell he was one of those type of people that really listened to what you said and cared.  Well I met Jimmy during my first go round with Retro which started some 5 years ago or more.  After they closed the business, sold it and reopened under new ownership, prompting my return, I have been hoping Jimmy would reappear as well.  It hasn’t happened yet.

Since I missed my Sunday long run for the first time in a few months due to illness I felt like I needed to make today’s cardio session nothing but running, putting in a full 30 minutes on the treadmill.  It was not a pleasant experience, feeling very difficult to complete.  My energy/stamina is surely below normal from the now week long, slow moving illness so I assume that is part of it.  Just running for a half hour on a treadmill can be tedious enough, playing mind tricks on you.

Anyway I endured the discomfort to travel just over 5k distance during that time.  It felt good to endure.

Today’s Workout

30 minutes treadmill – 3.14 miles

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