Learning to Adapt

Face still puffy!

My elbows woke me repeatedly last night, as did the spider bite on my foot. The sun poked me in the eye way too early, and I got to the gym grumpy and disheveled. I suspect that my exuberant pull ups and chin ups have finally caught up to the frailties of my tiny joints. I'll have to modify my workouts to accommodate my injuries because I certainly don't want to stop working out! Chin ups are off the list! And I'll have to cut back on Pull Ups.

The gym is crowded today but once I'm plugged in, I'm oblivious to the chattering din. Headphones and iPod Nanos are truly a godsend. I'm tired so no matter how hard I push, I can't maintain a 200 SPM pace on the Precor. I don't make my quota and it's a bit of a bummer, but I console myself with the fact that tomorrow's Leg Day, and hopefully I'll make that quota.

Today's 1st Pull Day Workout (modified due to elbow tendinitis)
35 min cardio = 3.93 miles (Bleah!)
Seated Cable Rows: 12 @ 90 lbs / 10 @ 105 / 8 @ 120 / 3 x 6 @ 135 lbs
My left elbow complains at first but I modify the angle of my grip to lessen pressure on the brachioradialis (top forearm near elbow). The flexor muscles beneath my elbow are horribly tender and I need to protect them from further injury.
Smith Rack Pull Ups (I only do 2 sets today and note how bad my forearms hurt from this movement): 12+2 / 12
Cage Stretch & Kicks
Reverse Grip BB Rows: 6 x 15 @ 95 lbs
These feel awfully heavy in my palms and my hands throb afterwards. 
Seated Alternating DB Curls: 3 x 12 @ 25 lbs
My left arm twinges horribly at the first rep so I modify the twisting up motion and there's no pain. It's not pretty, but at least I'm working both arms reasonably.
Lower Back Extensions: 2 x 25 @ 97.5 lbs (too chicken to attempt 105 lbs today)
Ab Crunch Station: 100
Flat Bench Twisting Sit Ups: 125
BB Curls: 3 x 15 @ 45 lbs (I find myself leaning forward slightly which seems to alleviate pressure on my forearm as I curl)
Reverse Grip BB Curls (for forearms): 3 x 20 @ 40 lbs
Mat Stretch

There appears to be a shift change near noon and the gym becomes a ghost town. The Mayor, M, B, Fish Guy, 5'oclock, Tall Pace, Short Pace and Hannibal Baggy Knees have all come and gone. Other regulars pop in. As I run through my Mat Stretch routine, I see R, Ranger Rick and the only two HS boys (out of an entire gaggle during the holidays) who have managed to come on a regular basis. They don't really know what they're doing yet. Still.

Biceps looks good!

I'm relieved that the scale reads 110.6 lbs because a loss of 2 lbs in a day is definitely water weight. My face is still puffy, but less than before. Before I shower, I manage to snap a few photos with my cell as I try to catch a glimpse of what my right side really looks like. For some reason, it's harder to snap that side and it's not because the phone is for right-handed people the way my Canon Rebel is set up. It's damn near impossible to snap a photo with that camera with my left hand!

On my way home, I buy a jar of DMSO at Mrs. Green's Natural Market. I could buy it online but then I'd have to wait for it, and pay shipping and handling. The pleasantly scented Penetrex cream I purchased a few months earlier works okay, but I'm not used to having injuries wake me at night. I need something stronger. I apply a small amount inside and around both elbows and immediately taste and smell the familiar "garlic, oyster-sauce" characteristics that can't be replicated by anything else. The chemical is absorbed almost instantly into the body and can always be identified by that tell-tale smell/taste effect on the human tongue. I'm hopeful. Besides, tomorrow's Leg Day, and I love love love Leg Day!