10-13-07 Splish Splash

Today was my first day swimming - I figure I'll swim on Saturdays until I can run again, then I'll re-evaluate.

I did 11 laps (don't know why I did #11, just seemed like the thing to do). Swimming is going to take some getting used to. I am worn out. The pool at the sportsplex is 25 meters long, so (11 laps x 25 m = 275 m) I did 275 meters. That distance included LOTS of resting breaks. I rested at the end of each lap, and by the last 3 laps, I was pretty tired. It's just a constant pull on the body, and the water is more resistance than you would think. The triathlon I'm targeting is a 500 meter swim. By the time of the race, I'd like to be swimming at least 1 Km in training (even with rests).

10-12-07 Cut short

Friday was weights/circuit again, but I didn't get to finish all the sets again. They close the Sportsplex @ 6:30 (didn't know that) - and the kind of asked me to leave before I was done. I guess I'll have to change my weight days to Monday and Thursday instead of Tuesday and Friday.

I was able to get through 2 circuits, and about half of the 3rd (after a 5 minute warmup on the elliptical).

I find it interesting that no one seems to talk in the excercise room (granted, I'm wearing headphones). Everyone seems to be like me (in headphones), or glued to the television, or just afraid to make eye contact. I guess that's good for me, because it equates to less distractions, but it's still interesting.

My abs are still a little tender, so I went easier on them - but they're getting used to the routine. The rest of me seems to be adjusting - the soreness is leaving.

10-11-07 Oww, Ow, Owww

Yeah..that's a little sore there. So Tuesday was circuit training day - good, right? Weights and sit-ups. Thursday is to be cardio day - and sit-ups. When I went in last night, my abs had been tender all day Wednesday, and off an on during the day on Thursday. I got on the eliptical and started when I remembered -- "ooh, situps". So I went to the rack and started doing my hanging crunches - - that hurts, the muscles in my mid section are tender from all the sit-ups/hanging crunches from Tuesday - even on my sides. This is a good thing. It means I'm hitting the right areas, but it's going to take a little time to condition to the new workout. The workout looked like this:

• Hanging crunches x10
• incline sit-ups x10
• Hanging crunches x10
• incline sit-ups x10
• 45 minutes on elliptical
• Hanging crunches 2x10

The elliptical was interesting. I'm still investigating all the workout routines programmed in the trainer. Last night I did the 'Cross Training' program, and I had to pedal backwards for extended periods - odd. I was also playing with my new Zune during the workout and tried to watch some video while I was on the elliptical - that may have been distracting me from working out as hard - more trial and error needed there.

10-9-07 Circuit

Today was the first day on the circuit routine at the gym - - - WOW - it wears on you quickly. I was able to complete 2 circuits, and most of the 3rd. I over expended myself, and had to stop near the end because I didn't want to collapse or hurl in the presence of strangers. I took about an hour to do (including warm up and stretching afterwards). I've got to remember to take a water bottle with me, and hit it often. The general pattern of the circuit is 10 reps on each machine, and 3 circuits. The workout today looked like this:

• 5 minutes on the elliptical (level 4 resistance) to get my heart rate up a little.
• Hanging crunches (4 sets of 10 on the first circuit, just 10 on the next 2 circuits
• Bench press
• Lat pull
• Tricep pushes
• Incline bench press
• Incline Sit ups
  
• Upright overhead press
• Leg curls
• Leg lifts
• Squats
• Toe squats
• Resistance ab crunches (front, then each side)
• Full arm curls
• Thigh compressions
• Thigh expansions

I made it through 2 full circuits, but I had to stop after the resistance ab crunches. I felt like I was overheating, and overworking. I took some time to lie down and stretch before I left the gym. I was tired/exhausted, and most of me was twitching when I left, but it was a good workout.

I'll rest tomorrow and do cardio on Thursday.

10-8-07 On the Road to Recovery

Boy, that heading sounds like the start of an AA meeting, doesn't it?

I've grounded myself for 3 weeks. I'm not going to run during that time - I need to take care of my knees, and I don't want to stupidly push through an injury. I hate it. The weather is getting cooler, and I'm DYING to get out and run in the cool air. I want to start hills and speed workouts at the high school track - but no luck. I have to make sure I'm in shape for being out of town for a week in December - I want to be able to enjoy running while we're in the mountains for Christmas.

Anyway - November 1 will be my day to start running again. I've already set a reminder in my Google calendar. Until then, I'll be gym-ing it. I figure I'll do the following schedule until Nov.

Mon - Cardio - elliptical or stationary bike, and abs.
Tues - Strength training (5 minutes on elliptical for warm up, and abs).
Wed - rest.
Thurs - Cardio - elliptical or stationary bike, and abs.
Fri - Strength training and abs.
Sat - Don't know - maybe swim (depending on the schedule at the pool).

Last night, I went to gym and did 45 minutes on the elliptical - the 'cross country' routine/program is brutal. It kept my heart rate about 150-160 through most of the routine. I also did 4 sets of hanging crunches. Mike posted the video below on his blog, and I may try tind a way to incorporate this exercise into my workout. I probably need to find some ab specific routines if I'm to get to my goal.


Video: situps