My eldest has me doing a 2 week core workout with her. We’ve finished 3 days. Got the family out hiking 4-5 miles in the redwoods today–it was beautiful (even if one kid got grumpy bc we didn’t have breakfast before going–oops). My take home messages: get kids food before you hike and that I need to practice more hills!
@abasket --masks are required here for all indoor activities, and are required if you can’t socially distance outside, with an exception for exercise. Practically, most of us bring a mask even if outside and put it on if we can’t socially distance, but I’ve gotten quite adept at criss-crossing streets to avoid people.
Well, I made it to Sunday. I’m doing zippo tomorrow. And I’m not even “leaking oil” at the finish. 
Long day at the gym today. I got within a few lbs of my max bench press. I didn’t push any more weight, because someone wanted my bench, which is kinda rare. There are three benches and one of them has bad glare from the skylight. Anyway, I did combo pulling sets (10-12) of muscleups and deadlifts. Magically, somehow I pulled a 10 lb “recent” deadlift PR, but 20 lbs away from my all-time PR. I could have went another 5-10 lbs, but decided to quit while I was “on top.”
A 2-mile treadmill run followed by a 3x10 of glute ham raises to finish. No burpees today. I was toast anyway.
One of the new gym members is an ICU nurse and she was squatting 5-rep working sets of 225 lbs, which was really impressive.
Good workout @sushiritto ! Enjoy your rest day.
5.1 miles this morning. 67.5% finished with my Race Across Tennessee. It’s quite hot here…
That’s been the rule in our city for the last couple of months, and now the rule for the whole state (CA).
Fortunately, we’re in the 'burbs so running is still doable without a mask as there is plenty of width on my normal trails to SD. (I went to HD yesterday for some bags of mulch and just loading them into the car with a mask on was a PIA as it was hot and sweaty.)
Any idea what the squatting RN weighs? Height? Age?
The coach I saw for a form check insists I can eventually squat over 200#.
I can’t imagine.
One of my podcasts said it’s easy to feel beat up all the time from lifting, especially as one ages. Connective tissue is not what it used to be. But the coaches say it’s possible to make progress while also feeling good outside the gym.
I was thinking of that bc I’m feeling pretty beat up today.
@Midwest67 I have been taking Yin Yoga off and on for several years–it’s billed as yoga that helps increase blood circulation to connective tissue and reduce soreness. It’s a static type of yoga where you hold postures for 3-5 minutes. Most yoga studios don’t offer Yin. At one of my studios, there is an instructor who only teaches Yin. He’s a real advocate of it. He studied with Paul Grilley. If you check YouTube, Grilley has many videos with poses and instructions. He also explains the benefits of Yin much better than I did.
@Midwest67 I am not a great guesser of age weight, but she was a tallish large-framed woman maybe in her 30’s? Maybe in the area of 5’8” to 5’10”+. Her glutes were WAY bigger than mine. But she was handling the bar like a pro.
From speaking with her that one time, it sounded like she’s been busy in the ICU (of course) and had let her conditioning and strength go. She expressed disappointment with the working sets of 225 lbs. Nonetheless, I was really impressed. The weight, the way she handled the bar and her form was impeccable. But, until I see someone do an unassisted pull-up, like you, I’ll reserve judgement on all-around strength.
My usual Sunday afternoon yoga class is a yin practice. I enjoy it although it challenges my body in a different way than my other classes which are the more active Vinyasa style yoga.
Taking a no running day today. Did a strength video, joined a facetime coffee chat with some ladies from my larger running group and fixed a few healthy items for this week’s lunches.
I had been doing some Yin videos in the evenings (or just restorative long holds/stretches during TV time) before Covid-19 brought the kids home. I don’t stretch/roll at night near like I used to and I’m sure that’s part of why I don’t feel as snappy.
I finished my week off. In general, my body feels better. My calf, eh… Sometimes it feels OK. Sometimes (usually if I sit and point and flex my foot) it flares up and stays for a few hours. Rolling & massage makes it feel better for a bit and then it flares up for a few hours. It’ll just take some time and babying. Sigh.
Today, I gave it a test. I did a walk/slow plod to the gym in 3-5 min intervals. It’s 2.25 miles there and running takes me ~17 min on average. Walking ~33 min. It took 24 this morning. Calf held up OK, but I wasn’t doing any real toe-off motion either. I wore my mask on my arm (no biggie - surprise) and put it on in the gym. I lasted about 5 seconds on the stairmonster with it. It’s won’t work. I did 30 min pretty strong there. I was happy it felt good in the beginning, but I got tired faster than I would have preferred. (isn’t that always the case?) Did the same walk/run on the return in 23 min. I did not enjoy being there - too paranoid. But it’s probably not that bad. There are ~20 people there. The building footprint is ~30,000 SF with high ceilings, but that includes locker rooms. I did not enjoy the loud talker guy claiming this was all fake news and not a big deal. I told him about my SIL still flat on her back after a month (OK 3 weeks) and he shut up and moved on.
This week I’m doing the video series “Hard Week of Labor.” It’s standard old fashioned lifting - no bouncing, weird moves. It was nice to drag out all the big (for me) weights. happy that 3 sets of 10 of rotating chest press with 40# dumbbells was not a big deal. Finished with some core.
My work day has not started out well and that is clouding my mood. I seem to be in a semi-permanent state of off. Tuesdays are usually better.
Hang in there @ClassicMom98 ! I hope the work day gets better.
Mine actually started out well with the cancellation of my 8:30 meeting! Will walk the dogs instead.
4.8 humid miles done. 68.4% of the way across Tennessee.
2.5 mile run before heading into work today.
I ran down to the hospital gift shop to buy a couple extra masks - they had some lightweight ones I thought I’d try as my current ones are pretty substantial and very flat to my face. Decided to take the stairs (up to 7th floor) - didn’t encounter anyone! BUT I wore my mask and it became real annoying as my breathing increased - like I was sucking my mask in! So I can understand how awkward and uncomfortable it would feel on a machine.
Monday got better. Today hopefully will be OK. My calf/shin was not real thrilled, but it’s a different spot in a different muscle/tendon. As much as I am not a fan of my big calves, it’s easy to see each muscle/tendon and what goes where.
I did a walk/run to the gym, rode the bike, and walk/run home. The bike felt the worst of anything I did. I may have to rethink that. The walk/run home felt the best. It seems to prefer uphill vs downhill. Video of the day was legs. Guess which exercises I skipped? If you guessed calf raises, you would be the big ticket winner. I did boat poses instead. And finished with a 7 min ab workout.
Yesterday I worked up to 90%+ on squat cleans, then a HIIT combo of rope climbs and running, which an AMRAP for 16 minutes. After several mins of rest, I did a 2nd HIIT, a combo of power cleans and toes to bar and finished up with 50 GHD sit-ups.
Today I worked on volume deadlifts and handstand push-ups. The HIIT was a 15-min AMRAP, which consisted of jump rope, rowing and light deadlifts.
Not so good, really not good, but also great this morning. Not so good - my run/walk this morning. It was better than nothing, I suppose. But this will take awhile. Uphill is still definitely best.
Really not good - I needed an emergency pit stop and was right by the gym. I walked across the large shopping center parking lot and cut through a landscaped island. My foot caught on some sharp metal something or other. I tore a big hole in the top of my shoe, in my sock, and even scraped the skin off my toe. It was a very good thing I wasn’t running. I’d probably have broken something. My newest pair of running shoes too! Argh. I’m hoping some duct tape will do the trick.
The great was my workout. H had the power rack set up for benching, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. It’s been at least 2.5 years since I’ve benched with a barbell. I did 45x10, 95x10, 105x10, 115x7, 125x4. That would have a been a pretty darn good day even when I did it regularly. Then the video of the day was core and I also did a range and repair video for my hips.
Oh my goodness, darn on the shoes but glad it wasn’t a worse physical injury!
A glass half full AND half empty day!
We have had several days of 90’s and more to come. I’ve noticed many more people out on the neighborhood trail earlier. I feel like there is a bit of a bond with these people you see daily at 6:30 in the morning! Like, “hey, I see you - you are making a choice to still have some exercise in your day before it gets unbearable!”
Wow @ClassicMom98 I’m glad you weren’t hurt badly! Boo on the shoe. I know folks who would demand reimbursement from the shopping center for having that dangerous condition. Seriously- you should point it out to them at least.
Hot and humid here even early in the am. 4.7 miles yesterday morning with a little more later in the day (treadmill later) and 4.6 miles this morning. Got the dogs walked early today, too.
@ClassicMom98 “Smells like” time for a new pair of shoes. 
Those bench press numbers are very impressive. You and @Midwest67 should have an online competition. :grimace:
Wow @ClassicMom98 - ouch! Glad it wasn’t worse.
Hot and humid here and no end in sight, Got out for 3 miles this morning. Hot already before 7 AM.
Skimmed quickly over your injury description because…urp.
Amazing bench! WTG!
I also laughed when I read it bc in upper body this week I STILL could not press 74 for a triple. Frustrated, I did set after set of doubles.
Afterwards, it wAs time for bench and I had used up the gas in the tank! I was supposed to do sets of 5 at 97 and did 5-3-3-then forget about it.
Haha! Arms were TOAST.
Oldest D is in town for a visit. 
Oh, to be 24 again and have your whole life in front of you!
We might steal away to WI to hike on Friday, depending on the forecast.
Have a great week all!
I was encouraged on the walk/run to/from the gym this morning. Baby steps, but improvement. The stairmonster was rough. My glutes and quads were still dead from Tuesday’s lifting. I hung in there, but it was tough. Video of the day was Shoulder and Arms. Effort was meh. Shoulders are not my favorite part to work.
Since the gym opened, I’ve shifted more of my runs to that part of town to see how many people are there. Good thing. Yesterday, my boss saw a bear a couple of blocks from our office. It ran into a warehouse. Downtown bear sightings aren’t common, but not uncommon either. Usually we get a few in a summer every few summers. H’s school sees them more regularly, but he’s more on the outskirts of town. In any case, I was glad I wasn’t there. I usually DO run downtown!
And one of my co-workers has been clearing his throat/coughing all morning. I don’t think that’s a covid symptom, but ugh. My nerves don’t take “the cough” well even during non-pandemic times. At least he sits in a closet, so he’s sort of separated?