But going to the gym just once a week isn't cutting it either, so I limp my way across the parking lot. It's later than I planned but earlier than it could've been. The gym isn't very crowded and I'm glad that there's no one on any of the Precor elliptical machines. Actually, that's kind of surprising.
I did pass one regular as I entered and he was leaving. Wind Breaker shows up 10-15 minutes after I do. I'm not pedaling very fast because every step throbs up from my right foot through a clenched calve and lands like a kick on my right glute. I've been to the dog park every morning and trudging up and down and across the steep hill (while trying to corral the one dog who never wants to leave) has been quite painful.
My dad, who I resemble in more ways (20/20 vision, not much gray hair, ability to create and maintain a semblance of fitness) than my mom (glaucoma, short stature, genetic dry skin and "poor circulation", food dysfunction) used to be decently athletic and trekked all over the city. Until he couldn't. The diagnosis? Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the vertebral canal that holds the spinal nerves.
He told me how frustrating this pain in his calf was because it limited his ability to take long strolls. Ever vain, he never allowed himself to get fat and out of shape. He wanted to always fit into his nice clothes, and I admired his resolve. It's what I need to do cuz I'm starting not to fit my nice clothes. You hit your mid-60s and the body decides it's going to do whatever the hell it wants. In many ways, I think my sciatica is potentially a result of spinal stenosis. Gee, thanks dad.
Today, I don't even make it to 2.7 but at least I showed up. And I got my 2 sets of pull-ups, without any kipping. Especially since any sort of body assist actually makes the sciatic pain so much worse. Standing in the Stretch Cage with the leading foot, the right foot all numb and tingly is not a great feeling, especially since I need to push off it to reach up and grab the overhead bars. But I got it done. Steps weren't any easier, and I didn't slow the speed although it was an option if Speed 5 was too much. It was bearable. I also did not pedal very fast on the cross-trainer, knowing it was going to exacerbate the numbness in my feet anyway.
I kept alternating between "This is okay" and "Wow, this sucks." Push-ups were okay, air squats were sort of okay. And cat/camel and fire hydrants were fine. Bird Dogs suck and I'm not doing them again until I'm more recovered. Dead Bugs were mostly okay, but started to suck as I approached the 90th rep.
I am relieved by the fact that even big, strong, and much younger people also suffer from such indignities. Recently I watched a Buff Dudes YouTube post where the younger, bigger Brandon finds himself afflicted with lower back pain and a potential disc problem. His older brother Hudson is, of course, very supportive. Hudson had also previously posted his attempts at following a natural bodybuilding routine, impressively got his body fat down to 4% (I don't remember exactly but it was really low), competed against other older fellows, and scored several victories. They're fun to watch, especially when they get their entire family involved (Buff Dad and Buff Mom)...
Other than the requisite morning dog park, I have no plans to do anything strenuous, except enjoy going to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show tomorrow night. It's the 50th anniversary, there will be a shadow cast, and we bought prop bags. That should be fun! If nothing else, I'll be singing along. Yes, I know all the words...
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