Friday, March 20, 2026

Happy Vernal Equinox

I didn't realize that today was the Vernal Equinox until I was informed at the dog park by the only other person with a pup. My dogs were quite ecstatic to have someone to zoomie with considering we've been "solo" for the entire week. Temps have risen to a pleasant mid-50s, and much nicer than the scorching heatwave engulfing the US southwest. It's likely that the area is on fire. Summer will certainly be interesting. 

I got to the gym late but it wasn't crowded so I was quite happy. But by 2:30, the HS kids had all arrived along with early shift adults. I got a decent "run" on the elliptical although my sciatica has been quite annoying. It didn't impede the pull-ups though, so that was good. I even got a second set in! And I added a minute to the Stair Master. It wasn't very noticeable which is promising. Guess I'll add another minute the next session. I still don't quite understand how the machine calculates the cool-down. I set the machine to show me time remaining and when the cool-down initiates, the console displays 2:12. Two minutes and twelve seconds. Isn't that weird?

The second set of pull-ups was slightly less than the first set but I expected that. Then off to the icy cold Aerobics Room. Other people wander in to do some quick stretches or a few DB curls. But no one ever puts their equipment away. It's rude and annoying. My sciatica is back to aggravation level during Dead Bugs and Bird Dog Planks. I do push-ups painfully slow so I can correct my form as I watch myself in profile in the wall mirror. I'm tired and only get to 25 reps. Good enough. But Air Squats were super easy. It was probably a mistake to add a simple runner's stretch to my routine. That's probably what's triggered the sciatica flare-up. Now it'll be weeks again before everything calms down. Ugh. Stupid, simple things like that wind up causing me a lot of pain. I should know better by now... 

20 March 2026 1:42-3:24
Vernal Equinox Friday
Basics w numb toes sciatica

Precor elliptical #1 (2:19)
Program 3
Time: 30 + 5 (5370)
Distance: 2.77
Cal: 304
Precor HR: 140, 184-75
Fitbit: 42-138

HGPU 18

Matrix StairMaster (L) (2:33-2:46)
Manual timer 11 + 2:12
Speed 5 (45) / 2 (36) / 1 (29)
Steps 580
Floors 36
Cal 87
Hr 116

HGPU 16

20 Piriformis/Hip flex
10 Hamstring stretches
DeadBugs 20 x 5 (sciatica!!!)
10 Piriformis stretches
Child’s Pose
Cat/Cow stretch 12
Child’s Pose
Fire Hydrants 30 x 2
Bird Dog Planks 60s x 2
Arm rotations 20
Push-Ups 25 (legs shoulder width while staring at side mirror)
Air Squats 25
Neck Stretch / eye yoga



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Happy Vernal Equinox

I didn't realize that today was the Vernal Equinox until I was informed at the dog park by the only other person with a pup. My dogs wer...