Born Again Gym Rat: Slow Out of the Gate

Friday, May 30, 2014

Slow Out of the Gate

The alarm went off and I rolled over to hit the snooze. Then I had to wait for my head to catch up with my brains sloshing about inside. Or at least that's how it felt. Vertigo and inner ear problems seem to be a familial issue. It's most-likely caused by extreme sensitivity to fragrances and allergies, and the subsequent effects on sinuses and the human equilibrium. Since I didn't have any other symptoms, like congestion or a cough, I was perplexed. I get vertigo a few times a year but usually in conjunction with a sinus infection or head cold. I've been lucky for the past two years, ever since I skipped the annual flu shot. Go figure.

Vertigo makes dressing difficult this morning, but I manage to get my son and the dog fed, my son off to school and the dog walked before I head out to the gym. I figure it's either going to make it better, or worse. I feel better outside and driving to the gym poses no problems. My head feels oddly heavy so I wonder if I'm just mildly allergic to something in the air. I sip my water before and after my cardio warm up. Today I do 3 miles to start but because I don't have my hoodie on over my head, it takes me a long time to warm up. But my heart rate is erratically all over the place, peaking at 202 even though I'm at a steady 150 SPM pace. I can't explain it. My hair is annoying as it sticks to my face and neck.

Maybe I'm dehydrated? The more water I drink, the better I feel. The free weight area is oddly empty, but not only is it Friday, it's also nice outside. I'm a bit tired so I'm not completely assured of making all my reps or sets on all my weights. I do it though. Even the 3 sets of Smith SLDLs at 160. Again, it's my grip that starts to fail on the 8th rep. But then it's done. I do a quick Cage Stretch, and just for fun, I grab the inside top of the Cage to see if I can still do a few Pull Ups. My hands are close, facing each other in a neutral grip position. I do 10 easily. I could struggle for two more but I worry about damaging my already fragile elbows and wrists.

Three sets at the Seated Leg Extension and then I look around to see if I can use the Lat Pull Down station (there are two). I grab a bosu and set myself up for those peculiar Glute-Ham Raises, making sure to move slowly and deliberately. I'm wearing shorts but they look like black sweatpants cut off just above the knees. Not terribly flattering, but very comfy. I see R doing Tricep Push Downs so I say Hi to him. He's says he's crazy busy with work, but he and his wife plan to take a week to vacation at a resort in Mexico as a combination Mother's Day / Father's Day get-away. "You're not taking the baby, are you?" I ask. "Oh no, but it's so hard to leave him," he tells me. His in-laws will baby-sit. I'm jealous. I'd like to go on vacation every year, but we don't. Instead, we might go to Florida for a week in October, to visit my ailing Mother-In-Law but also to take my son to Universal Studios. Harry Potter World has a new attraction.

I do 2 more miles on the elliptical, and then a full Mat Stretch because my left shoulder and lat felt odd while I was Squatting. Stretching helps me recover better. I have a lot more energy now and I literally bounce into my splits and stretches. It's worth noting that while I may not bust much of a sweat pedaling on the elliptical, I'm always breathless and sweaty during my stretch routines. Again, I incorporate a knee to elbow movement for the last 30 seconds of the 1-minute plank. It definitely makes the time go faster. My vertigo is gone as well.

The gym scale reads 112.4 lbs. My home scale says I'm 111.2 lbs but still 20.5% BF. However, I can see tiny and subtle changes so I'll stick to this routine for now. Until my son goes to camp, then I'll have to figure out how to incorporate two shorter workouts into my program.

Friday Leg Workout

Workout Logs

Exercise Name

1 RM

Lifting Logs