Born Again Gym Rat: Spring Is Such A Tease

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Spring Is Such A Tease

I used a broom to sweep the snow off my steps and walkway, and even swept snow off the driveway. I know the warmer temps meant that the snow would melt in all likelihood, but I live in a cold spot and there's always the chance that the snow will remain, and then freeze overnight as temperatures plummet. I've been meaning to get some vitamin B-complex because I'm tired of feeling tired. But I haven't had time lately. Maybe tomorrow. Today is a mad rush to get my son to his early morning extra gym class and then off to my gym. Then rush off to meet a dear friend for lunch -- it's her birthday and she's been feeling isolated by the miserable winter weather. But can't tarry too long because I need to pick my son up from school and whisk him off to the last chess class at the library.

I seriously contemplated staying in bed when the alarm went off this morning, but there's no denying the dog who needed to be fed and walked, packing a lunch for my son because we both refuse to believe that Tostitos® and ground beef makes a nutritious school lunch. Since I'm up, since I'm in the car anyway, well, might as well go to the gym. 30 minutes on the cross-trainer feels okay. Can I go home now? Kidding. Today is Arm Day so I think I'll try Close-Grip Bench press on the breaker bench. I haven't been on this equipment in quite a long time. Because this is new to me, I only use the bar (45 lbs) and knock out quick sets, bringing the bar down to my chest and my elbows below the bench. I should probably add some weight to this. Next time. This is just serving as a warm up anyway.

I follow my standard routine, supersetting DB curls with one-arm DB tricep extensions. Then using the EZ bar for Rip Skulls superset with BB curls. I add another set just to see if I can and how it will feel. My arms get a monster pump. Even I'm impressed. I'm not ready for the Tricep Cable Push Down so I do some lower ab knee-ins. Eventually I get around to Reverse Grip BB Curls before another 30 minutes of cardio. I see Old Yeller on the mats and make an abrupt about-face. I'd rather hit the Cage Stretch again until he's gone. He's a chatty old guy who's probably going deaf. Which means he's so loud I can hear him above my headphones no matter how high I turn up the volume. I've actually ordered a set of earbuds with earplugs from the Run Hundred website and can't wait to try them out. The idea is that cancelling out external noise helps to preserve your hearing, and makes it less necessary to turn the volume up. I detest the chatty people screaming into their phones or at each other while they're on the bikes, treadmills, ellipticals.

When I finally do get to the mats to stretch out, Soccer Boy is there wearing a Bodybuilding.com T-shirt. He's still cute, even if he's probably a jerk. I don't see Venus today. She reminds me a lot of my favorite Vikings character, Lagertha. I see familiar faces: M, Jude, Big Glasses Dude, Tattoo Tank, Pear Bottom.... Yep, eventually it's going to be Spring, although the forecast for tomorrow is snow. And depending on where the info's coming from, anywhere from 1-6 inches. Which might mean shoveling. Or sweeping.

Thursday Cardio and Arm Workout
(6.51 total miles; 13,115 lbs moved)