Monday, April 21, 2025

And Now It's Part of the Routine

I had to talk myself out of waffling out of coming to the gym today. Because it's so easy to make excuses like the weather is miserable and I'm tired. I did go to bed earlier but then spent a good 20 minutes watching a YouTube video about how doodle dogs (a dog who is half standard poodle) are not actual breeds and are usually exactly not what people expect them to be. Because you can't predict which traits will be expressed in a backyard breeder's mix, even if both parent dogs are "pure breeds." 

I know someone with a first gen golden doodle and this dog is a large, pushy, slightly dangerous and aggressive 90+ lbs of not hypoallergenic canine. (We leave the dog park when he arrives to avoid dog fights.) The owner thinks he made the mistake of getting a first gen instead of a second gen, because he was assured that THOSE are hypoallergenic. But, actually, they're not. Click here if you're interested in the doodle video.

I got to the gym around noonish and it was more crowded than I expected. Probably because it's the day after a traditional feast day. Since my husband and I don't really celebrate (our kid is at school and too grown for the Easter bunny) so we basically had a normal chicken dinner with asparagus and brussel sprouts (with garlic and bits of bacon) for supper.

I got on the elliptical that I favor and pedaled program #1 because that's what's on my list. Started off struggling a bit but pushed enough to squeeze past 2.8 but just barely. I'm annoyed with my right foot because the fifth metatarsal first joint (base of the pinky toe) is sore and makes the sneaker feel like its too tight just in that area. It's either that or the sneaker, right? That's the same issue I have with my bright green Saucony trainers, but not other Saucony running shoes...

It's a cardio day because it's the first exercise day of the week. Once I knock out cardio, I feel free to mix and match the rest of my routines for whichever day(s) I attend. I get my three sets of pull-ups, although the last set is a bit of a bummer because it was rushed. I had literally just stepped into the cage right before some elderly woman did. I told her I'd be about two minutes, and I was. I can't trust the elderly to be in and out of a station, and I hate waiting around. Obviously I don't consider myself elderly even though I hit that mid-60 mark last month. (Did you hear about that phenomenal 77 year old runner, Jeannie Rice who has the cardio efficiency of a 25 year old? Click here to read about her.) Nonetheless, I felt rushed and my third set is always at the end of my energy stores for the moment. Meaning that by the time I get to the Aerobics Room, I don't have any problems with push-ups or air squats.

And because I like to push myself, I slid into increasing the push-up count more-or-less permanently, because it was easy. Maybe too easy? Count to 20, then restart the count again. I actually have to stop myself from bouncing past the second set of 20. Maybe I shouldn't? Of course, my glaucoma doc would prefer I keep my reps down at 25, and on DB Shoulder days, that does seem a skosh hard, but in general it's kinda easy... I haven't done a Reps to Failure in a really long time. Those usually result in some soreness the next day. Not sure if I'm doing gym time tomorrow or not... I guess I'll know tomorrow.

21 April 2025 12:09-2:18
Monday — All Cardio
Overcast Cool 52°F

Precor elliptical #1
Program 1
Time: 30 + 5 (5522)
Distance: 2.81
Cal: 311
Avg Hr: 150, 176-72
New FB: 41-150!
(12:47)

HGPU 18

Matrix StairMaster (R) 1:00-1:10
Manual timer 8+2 cool down
Minimum 5 minutes
Speed 5 (50-45) / 2 (33-36) / 1 (29)
Steps 453
Floors 28
Cal 67
Hr 117

HGPU 18.5

Life Fitness X-Trainer #3 (1:22-1:37)
Program Manual L1
Time: 12 (+3 min cool down) = 15
Distance: 1.32
Cal: 113
Avg Hr: 123-126

HGPU 15.5

20 Hip Bridges
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
DeadBugs 20 x 5
Piriformis stretches
Child’s Pose
Cat/Cow stretch 12
Child’s Pose
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dog Planks 60s x 2
Push-Ups 40 (counted to 20 twice)
Arm rotations 20
Air Squats 25
Side Lunges 10 each side (better)
Neck stretch / Eye yoga


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