This week conspired against my attempts to get to the gym. Monday, my sciatica and blossoming sinus infection had me feeling too tired. Tuesday was Veterans Day and I was waiting for the septic folks to come pump my tank, as they do every two years. They were running a bit late and it was snowing. Wednesday, traipsed into the city and got my steps in. Thursday, the tree company was supposed to come but then they didn't come until Friday. And at the last minute, the Parks & Recreation Dept announced they were closing our local park to repave the road and parking area from 7 AM to 1 PM. Which meant taking the dogs for several walks until after 1 PM when I could pop them into the car and drive to the only fully enclosed area to run my pups. I suppose I could've snuck out to the gym on one of those days, but I didn't.
Today, Saturday my sciatica is as bad as it's been for the past three weeks. But my cold is better, although not completely gone. I'm not nearly as tired so I must've been down with a virus of some sort. I get to the gym really late but since it's Saturday, I'm not worried about the HS kids overrunning the equipment. Indeed, it's not very crowded. Of course, Wind Breaker is pedaling elliptical #3 and all the other machines are free. My pedaling is slow and labored to begin with, mostly because I've received a text from an old coworker who I haven't been in touch with for years. It turns out her partner has just passed away from pancreatic cancer. I've known them since the late 80s, which is like forever.
I get my two sets of pull-ups. My sciatica still really hurts if I curl my body when I get tired, usually as I pass the 12th or 13th rep. Pedaling was okay. Stair climbing was okay. The Aerobics Room is empty and chilly. Hip Bridges are still painful so I skip those. I read about
nerve flossing and try one of the suggested techniques: lay flat on a mat, knees bent with feet flat on the floor, bring the knee of the afflicted leg up to the chest repeatedly. This doesn't do anything for me. There are other techniques but I'm still not sure how nerve flossing is supposed to work to alleviate sciatic pain. I'll have to try a different technique. The piriformis stretch (
see diagram above) helps a little.
It's literally been a whole week since I was last at the gym. Dead Bugs, Push-Ups and Air Squats are surprisingly easy, and I have to remind myself to stop by rep 30 for push-ups. It's been a while since that's happened. I don't have anything on my calendar next week, so maybe I'll manage to exercise more than once. Maybe. Meanwhile, I've fallen down the carnivorous plant rabbit hole, along with my college kid who has a sundew and a pitcher plant, while I have a bunch of supermarket-rescued venus flytraps. It's good to have new hobbies and learn new things...
15 Nov 2025 1:52-3:43
Saturday! Cardio etc
Still Basics w Sciatica & Head Cold 42°F
Precor elliptical #1 (2:29)
Program 2
Time: 30 + 5 (5266)
Distance: 2.74
Cal: 299
Avg Hr: 141, 182-78
New FB: 41-142 (total steps 9,396 / 4.18 miles)
upgraded FB is slow
HGPU 16+2/2! — no kipping after 12 right foot numb & throbbing
Matrix StairMaster (R) (2:42-2:52)
Manual timer 8+2 cool down
Speed 5? (48-45) / 2 (36) / 1 (29)
Steps 443
Floors 27
Cal 66
Hr 116
HGPU 16.5 right foot aching
Skip Hip Bridges
20 Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
DeadBugs 20 x 5
10 Piriformis stretches
Skip hip bridges
Child’s Pose
Cat/Cow stretch 12
Child’s Pose
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Skip Bird Dog Planks 60s x 2
Push-Ups 30
Arm rotations 20
Air Squats 25
Stretch / eye yoga
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