@Midwest67 I am afraid that being older does have something to do with it. And the idea that the connective tissue maybe doesn’t adjust as fast as the muscles makes sense with my experience so far. I know when I started trying to run a bit (still not much of a runner, but I do run for a few minutes at a time on my walks now) it seemed like all the connective tissue and strange little parts needed to “harden up” more than anything else.
My elbow pain does seem like golfer’s elbow rather than tennis elbow and it is just a twinge, not worthy of advil at this point. It was uncomfortable two years ago after trying some new things and yanking suitcases around on a trip, but then it subsided with rest. Now I feel it sometimes if I try doing more exercises with weights or pushups but it never comes on immediately so I haven’t narrowed down exactly what is provoking it. Rowing seems fine. When we still went to gyms, I was doing fine with a class that incorporated some TRX and some weights, but maybe that’s because the teacher kept coming around and correcting me. I think the first thing that set it off this time was trying to do pushups, actually.
However, even if it is age-related, I intend to figure out a way around it. I am enjoying being in better shape “for my age” than I ever was before. Somehow before I always did a little of this and a little of that without ever getting too inspired. For some reason, once I tried the indoor rowing class, I really got hooked, so that’s the main thing I do.
@sushiritto We are having half of our steak from last night today as well. I also have red meat fairly infrequently but then sometimes it really hits the spot.
@orangepurple There’s only so much chicken, turkey, tofu and salmon that I can eat. I won’t eat hamburgers, or hot dogs for that matter, but a nice lean steak, maybe 2-3x a year is really a treat for me.
Also, if rowing happens to be the only exercise that one can do, then IMO, it’s a fantastic all-around workout. I grabbed this from Internet:
One thing that might be making a difference with your pain is that rowing is a pulling exercise and your elbows have no body weight pressure (in one position). And push-ups (or bench press) is obviously a pushing exercise. I’m not a medical professional or trainer extraordinaire, but that might have something to do with it.
Instead of push-ups, which isn’t the “be all end all” (some argue useless) of exercises, why not try using DB’s flat on a bench? The DB’s will put less pressure on your elbow, since you can rotate the DB into a neutral (parallel with your body) position.
And we are back to Monday. The heat index was already in the mid 80s on my way to work. Speaking of which, when I got here the air conditioner was out. Joy!
Yes, my mood is typical for this time of year. I just concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. If i keep moving forward, eventually I will get to the other side of h*ll. Lifting video was chest & tris circuit style. It kicked my tail. He moves very fast through the 4 exercises - 3 sets of 10 reps each, and there are two 4 exercise groupings. I use big weights (for me) so I’m slow hiking up those DBs. I wasn’t careful once and pinched another vein in my finger. Seems I almost always have one healing nowadays. And then the burnout was a killer (3 sets of 30 sec wide push-ups/30 sec tricep push-ups with 30 sec rest), but it’s always a killer if you push yourself through the circuit. The core portion was the vacation of the morning.
On the very bright side, I am only working until 11! We are driving to meet older S mid-way. He left a few things here. A few things of his were delivered here. And he has some of younger S’ clothes. We were planning on doing a short hike in a park, but with the weather we may be hiking in Target and Kohls instead.
4.6 miles this morning- the usual awful weather, but I managed OK. Had some new tunes on the iPod. Almost 84% of the way across Tennessee! Once I get to the finish line I should probably have the top of my foot looked at. I don’t want to do it yet because I don’t want to be told to stop running before I finish this thing. Running doesn’t seem to make it worse, although I’m sure it isn’t helping- whatever it is. THC cream and icing helps.
@MomofWildChild - I know what you mean about not wanting to be told to stop running. I felt the same way last year with my ankle b/c I was training for the 10 miler…
But take care, glad the cream and icing help.
@ClassicMom98 - I hear you on the hot and humid. Heat index here of 107 today…I am the one who wishes fall weather would start after July 4th. Seriously. Enjoy seeing your S.
Today I am thankful for having a treadmill and an air conditioned basement for it to live in. Ran 5 miles indoors.
I broke down a year or two ago and got the paid Strava subscription. I don’t do the leaderboards, but I really like a lot of the Strava features. My main log is on runningahead.com, though.
@sushiritto I will try that. I have heard pushups recommended because that pushing motion is really the only thing that is not getting worked during rowing, but I find pushups awkward and too hard.
I will try using db on bench and paying attention to aligning it parallel to see how that feels on the elbow.
@orangepurple A lot folks that I see do a push-up, do them incorrectly. One of the issues that I see is that their elbows get too wide (away from the body) rather than the elbows preferably getting closer to the hips. Elbows should stay close to the body and pointing more to your feet.
But in any case the DB’s allow for flexibility in positioning your elbows hopefully for more comfort.
Oops. I did get a workout done today. I went with the “short program” today. A little tired.
I began with a ladder of cleans and then transitioned to achieving a heavy front squat. My first HIIT was 30 cleans for time, which was timed at 2:45. The 2nd HIIT was 5 rounds of rope climbs and wall balls at 9:20. And I finished up with 50 GHD sit-ups.
Pretty good attitude, but felt rough. I wanted it to be good, and tried really hard for it to be good. But it was rough. Ran to the gym. 30 min stairmosnter (where I died!) run/walk home. I wound up walking most of the hill. Boo, but I was drained. I left most of it on the gym. I confess that the one person I most liked to watch showed up this morning! It’s been over 4 months. 125 days to be exact. That might have had something to do with the effort. I was happy that he wore his mask the whole time too. Video of the day was back & bis 50/50. I did my best with what i had left. Not much. Finished with core.
Yesterday was nice seeing S. We skipped the hike and walked through Target and Kohls instead. I spent $100 mostly only older S, but we all got something. Then we tried to get dinner. Went to a pizza place that was closed. And then… my car wouldn’t start. Did I mention my car was reading 102* (not counting heat index!!!) for most of the day? Ugh. H is HORRIBLE with emergencies. I couldn’t take 30 sec of him before I sent him and the kids (in S’ car) to find some food for themselves while I called AAA. It was just the battery. It’s 5 years old. I knew it would need it soon - and now sooner vs later. They jumped it and we went home. Guess I’ll get that taken care of at lunch today. Crossing fingers it starts again. It did this morning, but not well.
4.8 miles. Got myself out a little earlier, which helped a lot. Had a few clouds. 3rd run in new Hoka Clifton Edge shoes which have sort of a tail out the back of the shoe. Really nice, soft landing. I like them. They have a Clifton feel but a little more firm. "My name is ____ and I have a running shoe addiction. "
I FINALLY pressed 75# overhead. And, for 2 triples.
When I started? 75# seemed almost impossible. And if possible, so so far in the distance I could not imagine getting there. BIG DAY!
As encouragement to others, no matter the sport, I am definitely a “civilian”, a member of the “general population”, NOT an athlete. You can surprise yourself too! Haha!
This week, I took inspiration from a couple female lifters on IG. One recommended to focus on a close bar path – it will make a big difference. Mis-grooving a heavy press will kill it. Seriously, I visualize her IG videos lifting that heavy barbell like it’s nothing. Another lifter reminded us all to attack the bar. Walk up, grab the bar, step back, step back, take a breath and GO. She said too much pausing is leaking energy.
I’m also a “civilian”. If you had told me just a few years ago that I would be able to do some of the things I do now - I would have said no way. And though I am a runner and I’m running farther than I ever thought I would, I am not fast. I just do my thing.
That’s my new tag line. The story of my life in the gym. :lol: Congrats on the PR.
First, I began with a combo of handstand push-ups and ring dips in about 8 minutes. Then sets of banded deadlifts. My HIIT was a 5 round combo of air bike, toes to bar, push press and more banded deadlifts. Time = 22 minutes. And I finished with a 1 mile run.
@Midwest67 Congrats to you! I love your enthusiasm. Maybe I should try to read your stuff BEFORE I work out. But yes, thinking about what you are trying to do is always a killer for me. “Don’t think. Just Do.”
Today was better energy wise. I went to the gym again to ride the bike. I know I said 2xweek, but the heat is just killing me. Run to the gym/45 min hard bike/run back. I actually wore my mask for the final 15 min of the bike. A lady got on an elliptical 2 machines down from me. It was probably right at 6 feet, but that was too close for me. Most of the time I am probably 20-50 feet from the nearest person. I didn’t love wearing it for the bike, but I probably could deal with it. Definitely not on the stairmonster though. I work too hard on that thing.
Then the Week 2 Barre Blend Total Body. This is definitely NOT my favorite program. She keeps saying “Just be you. You be yourself.” blah blah blah blah. I look like a complete idiot and nothing like the cast, so I guess that is me. But my shoulders and butt are dying throughout and I often have to stop for a sec to give them a break, so I suppose it is doing something.
Haha! Maybe I’m an enthusiastic poster but not really an enthusiastic lifter.
Example: DREADING today. Heavy squats. Programmed to do 173# for two triples.
That jerk in my head is already commenting that it’s going to feel awful, so heavy, you’re not going to be able to do it, how about skipping & just not trying because that is so much better than trying & missing reps!
What a jerk!
It’s only one pound more than I did last week, but, ugh, the dread.
That might have had something to do with the effort. I was happy that he wore his mask the whole time too. Video of the day was back & bis 50/50. I did my best with what i had left. Not much. Finished with core.