It’s a “wheel” workout

Aug24
by Duf on August 24, 2016 at 5:24 pm
Posted In: Daily Workouts, Endurance activities, Ninebot One

13620771_10154678705032841_2304125580242232058_nSo I planned to do a run/ride brick yesterday at the gym but totally forgot to bring my gear to do it so I did a lower body weight training session instead.  It was a very unimpressive session but it was leg work regardless.  I decided to do the brick today, doing it the day after leg day makes things a bit more challenging.  To add to the challenge, I also rode almost 8 miles last night on my Ninebot One.

So to the casual observer, riding an electric unicycle might at first glance seem like something that is not very physically demanding.  You just stand on the pedals and roll around, right?  Well perhaps if you tried this experiment you might understand better.  Take a round foam roller or even one of those pool noodles and lay it on the ground.  Then take a 12-18 inch piece of 2″ x 6″ wood and lay it across the top of roller perpendicularly.  Ok, now balance on it, for an hour.

The physics involved in riding the Ninebot are a little different but I can tell you after every ride my shirt is soaked and my lower body and core feel thoroughly spent.  Plus it’s a lot more fun than standing on a foam roller.

Today’s Workout

Run/Ride Brick

20 minute run – 2.15 miles

10 minute stationary bike – 3.15 miles

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Some days you are the nail

Aug23
by Duf on August 23, 2016 at 5:26 pm
Posted In: Daily Workouts, Failure, Injuries

hammer-and-nail-e1397074407161[1]Some days you just don’t feel like being at the gym.  It sort of is like the hammer and nail analogy.  Most of the time you are the hammer, driving your fitness progress forward through hard work and determination.  Other days you are the one that feels hammered.  Today was such a day for me.

There are various reasons I felt so lousy at the gym.  My experience dealing with the medical profession since my ear problem popped up has been frustrating to say the least.  I had an 8:30 appointment this morning that I simply walked out of when it was 9:40 am and still had not seen the PA.  Every single visit I have had has involved much longer than should be acceptable wait times with very little substance when it comes to answers.

At this point between online research and what I have been told I am betting I have a “fistula” which is a small tear between a membrane separating the inner and middle ear.  One of the ways it can be caused is from over exertion or lifting heavy weight, BINGO.  The bad news is it may or may not heal on it’s own and a period of two weeks of no over exertion is recommended.  Well I already blew that portion of the treatment plan out of the water as I have been doing close to my normal fitness routine since the injury.

I am scheduled to have an ear MRI tomorrow to rule out anything more serious going on in my head.  It seems like overkill but it is the last hoop I will be jumping through.  After that I guess I will just hope mother nature takes care of me.

I also have various things going on at work that are stressful, something exercise normally helps with.  In this case it seems to be preoccupying me.  Finally, the prednisone I have been taking certainly doesn’t seem to have the side effect you would expect of greater strength gains.  If anything I have felt weaker since I started roiding, plus now I am paranoid about pushing myself too hard because of the ear issue.  Anyway it all added up to a blah gym experience with strength numbers across the board that were significantly sub par.

Today’s Workout

5 minutes cardio/stretching

16 pull ups

Barbell squat – 135lbs x 10, 185lbs x 5, 185lbs x 5, 135lbs x 10

Seated leg extension – 115lbs x 10, 130lbs x 10

Prone leg curl – 90lbs x 10, 110lbs x 10

One leg standing calf raise x 12 x 2

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No roid effect

Aug22
by Duf on August 22, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Posted In: Daily Workouts, Endurance activities

I am now on my fifth day of steroids for my ear issue which have not helped so far.  I was hoping they could at least help my bench press numbers.  They seemed to fall short of that goal as well.  My bench press buddy wasn’t there today so I went at it alone.  I struggled to get 225lbs for one rep which is fine.  Technically I’m not supposed to be doing any strenuous activity anyway.

13775500_1235633859783199_5403027684890390248_nOver the weekend I got a four mile run in as well as riding over 13 miles in between my Segway Minipro and Ninebot One.  Although your initial impression would be riding these personal transportation devices does not have much physical benefit I can tell you from experience the constant adjustments you are doing for balance and control definitely engages your lower body and core in a meaningful way.

Today’s Workout

5 minutes cardio/stretching

20 pull ups

Barbell bench press – 135lbs x 10, 185lbs x 5, 225lbs x 1, 205lbs x 4, 185lbs x 7, 135lbs x 15

Pec dec – 130lbs x 12, 175lbs x 10, 220lbs x 5

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Combined

Aug19
by Duf on August 19, 2016 at 5:26 pm
Posted In: Daily Workouts, Injuries

Due to the short gym week I once again combined more body parts than normal into my Friday workout combining core, chest, back, and shoulders.  Since I am supposed to not to be doing anything overly strenuous I didn’t push anything to the limit but at least got some work in.

model-d-updated[1]On the home exercise front we should be adding a Concept 2 rower to our collection.  A friend of ours is selling his.  It should find a home right in front of our bedroom window.  I’m hoping my dead legs feel better this weekend so I can run and get some decent time in on both the Ninebot One and Minipro.

So far my two days of being on steroids have not turned me into the Incredible Hulk, unfortunately.  Today is the one week anniversary of my right ear popping and then closing/ringing after doing skin the cat.  It’s still closed and ringing.

Today’s Workout

5 minutes cardio/stretching

20 pull ups

50 push ups

Hanging knee raises x 25

Cybex seated overhead press – 90lbs x 12

Cybex low row – 130lbs x 12

Hanging knee raises x 25

Cybex seated overhead press – 110lbs x 10

Cybex low row – 170lbs x 10

Hanging knee raises x 25

Cybex seated overhead press – 130lbs x 8

Cybex low row – 210lbs x 6

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On Roids

Aug18
by Duf on August 18, 2016 at 5:57 pm
Posted In: Daily Workouts, Injuries

steroids1[1]So today I started the prednisone that was prescribed to me to hopefully reduce the inflammation, if that is the problem, that is causing my right ear to feel closed and ring.  Having never taken oral steroids before I was surprised by the heavy front end dosing.  For the first 4 days you take three pills per day, and then step down the amount every subsequent four days.

I was also told to avoid strenuous exercise but that just isn’t reasonable.  The ear is already closed, I don’t see how lifting will make it close more.  Sure I will avoid skin the cats but otherwise I plan to keep up a more or less normal exercise routine.  I need to take advantage of my roid rage.

Yesterday just for the hell of it I did a 60 second wall handstand in my office hoping somehow it could magically undo whatever happened last Friday.  Unfortunately it had little effect, positive or negative.

Today’s Workout

5 minutes cardio/stretching

20 pull ups

Bodyweight dips x 20

Seated dumbbell curls – 25lbs x 12

Seated leg extension – 115lbs x 10

Bodyweight dips x 20

Seated dumbbell curls – 40lbs x 8

Seated leg extension – 130lbs x 10

Seated leg curl – 115lbs x 10

Bodyweight dips x 20

Seated dumbbell curls – 50lbs x 4

Seated leg extension – 145lbs x 10

Seated leg curl – 130lbs x 10

15 pull ups

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