Been A Snowy Week

My car

I haven't been to the gym since last week. But that doesn't mean I haven't been active. What with the blizzard and having to shovel all that snow. It's definitely not the worst snowstorm we've ever had, but since we still had snow from the last storm, this was definitely unwelcome. The snow is definitely deep and I'm more inclined than ever to research a battery-powered snow thrower for next winter. It wasn't just my car, walkway and driveway that needed clearing. 

Dog park gate

Although the parking lot was plowed, all the gates to the dog park and inside the park also needed to be shoveled just to be usable. It was a lot of shoveling. While my back got tired, there was no residual aching. It was my forearms and the weight of the snow-laden shovel that made me sore for more than a day. It made me worry that it'd make pull-ups impossible. But that's me getting in my own way.

Cardio was decent considering it's been a week. I think not coming to the gym was actually beneficial for my sciatica. While I did a lot of shoveling and wading/trudging in knee deep snow, I didn't do much else. Pull-ups felt very decent and I was so surprised that I stopped at 15 reps because that's what I had expected, not that 15 was all I could do. Just got in my own damn way. While the sciatica did get aggravated during the last few reps, it wasn't nearly as painful as previous attempts. Meaning I didn't limp off the Stretch Cage when I was done. But I did do 10 minutes on the Step Machine, still at the lesser level 4 speed. 

Then off to the Aerobics Room for most of my standard routine. Since there were several individuals doing their own thing all over the room, I opted to do standard Lunges instead of Walking Lunges. I'll probably regret it tomorrow but it's good to switch things up every now and then, and I'm getting bored with basic Air Squats. Lunges didn't hurt so I'm hopeful. 

Actually, taking a week off has made my sciatica feel better. My foot still goes numb and tingly when I get out of the car and walk across the parking lot, but my glute aches a lot less lately when I'm standing in line. Maybe wbat my sciatic nerve needs is just enough down time to recuperate without anything aggravating it. Of course, being a total slug isn't in the cards since dogs need walking at least twice a day. 

Started watching an old favorite TV show, Supernatural, from the beginning: Season 1 episode 1. It runs for 15 seasons and I intend to rewatch it in its entirety because its still extremely enjoyable. Meanwhile, I'm a bit shocked to see Ryan Eggold, the hero doc Max Goodwin from New Amsterdam, transformed into a scary psychotic serial killer in Cross, a version of the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. The character Alex Cross is played by another familiar face Aldis Hodge, from the 2008-2012 TV series Leverage, and its subsequent sequel almost 10 years later, Leverage Redemption (2021). 

Meanwhile, I'm still watching episodes of NCIS (season 18). I appreciate shows that are still written to convey messages of morality and patriotism instead of just trying to mind fuck the audience. Watching actors like Mark Harmon and Joe Spano (Hill Street Blues, what a great show!) as they age on screen is reassuring, making it easier to accept that none of us are getting younger. It's a lot of effort just to stay in place! Yes, I still get a kick out of seeing Robert Wagner show up as Tony DiNozzo's dad cuz I remember watching him as Alexander Mundy in a show called It Takes A Thief. It's funny what you remember from your childhood. 

25 February 2026 1:23-3:04

Late Wednesday Post Blizzard

Sore forearms from shoveling

Precor elliptical #1 (2:02)

Program 1

Time: 30+5 (5344)

Distance: 2.76

Cal: 302

Precor HR: 144, 205-76

Fitbit: 45-139

HGPU 15 (could’ve done another rep or 2)

Matrix StairMaster (R fixed)

Manual timer 8 + 2 cool down

Speed 4 (40-49) / 2 (33-29) / 1 (21-24)

Steps 402

Floors 25

Cal 61

Hr 110

20 Piriformis/Hip flex

10 Hamstring stretches

DeadBugs 20 x 5 

10 Piriformis stretches

Child’s Pose

Cat/Cow stretch 12

Child’s Pose

Fire Hydrants 30 x 2

Bird Dog Planks 60s x 2 (numb foot)

Arm rotations 20

Push-Ups 30 (legs shoulder width)

Lunges 12 each side

   alt with Air Squats 25

Neck Stretch / eye yoga