Sciatic Bear Outta Hibernation

It was over 70 degrees two days ago and perfectly summery. I cut down a nasty ailanthus (Tree of Heaven) sapling since it's a spotted lantern fly host and attractant, smells bad, and was growing much too close to my garage. It took me a bit since I was using a hand saw and I left a good three feet because I wasn't going to lay on the ground to do this. I might take a hatchet or axe and split the remainder to make sure this is a permanent removal. It's the tree in a movie (based on a book) my mom loved, called A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Oh well. Too bad it's an invasive species. I'm probably going to have to dig the roots out... 

My sciatica hasn't improved so I don't feel too guilty cutting my gym excursions down to just twice weekly. I almost didn't make it today and got there after 2 pm. Temps have dropped into the 40s, but the wet air makes it feel much colder. I'm surprised that the gym isn't very crowded, but it IS Friday, and the start of Spring Break for the local schools. 

I have a good "run" on the elliptical, and do even better with pull-ups, gaining a rep. I'm thinking I'm doing better cuz it's the afternoon, even though I'm starving. (I am just not a morning person at all.) Throughout all of this, my right glute aches like someone punched me. Thirteen minutes on the step machine and not only does the glute still ache, but the calf is tight and my toes are numb. I manage almost all of my routine in the Aerobics Room but skip the Bird Dog planks. Between the Dead Bugs and the push-ups, I've had enough sciatic pain for the day. Even Air Squats twinged a little. 

I saw an article about Pistol Squats and immediately reminisced about my 50s when I was stronger, lighter, and had fewer injuries. I remember doing a walking version of Pistol Squats when the gym had heavy two-inch thick mats that unfolded to several feet across. I could only do 3 or 4 per leg but it was still impressive, at least to me. I'd try this movement again if I didn't fear aggravating the already aggravated sciatic bundle. There's no way for me to know until I actually make the attempt, and I'm just not willing to take that chance. Yet. I am my own worst enemy. 

On Wednesday, I had a belated birthday lunch with a friend at a British tea shop two towns over. While I was disappointed that the Coronation Chicken (with South African curry spice) did not appear to have any curry spice, the cucumber salad and homemade zucchini walnut bread were delicious. And then I tried a pavlova, because I'd heard of it but never tried one before. Much much too sweet, but fun to nibble. 

27 March 2026 2:22-4:08

Sciatica is a Bear Friday

Basics w calf & toes sciatica

Precor elliptical #1 (3:02)

Program 2

Time: 30 + 5 (5402)

Distance: 2.78

Cal: 306

Precor HR: 1155, 190-77

Fitbit: 43-112

HGPU 19  Yaaay!

Matrix StairMaster (L) (3:20-3:33)

Manual timer 11 + 2:12

Speed 5 (49-45) / 2 (38) / 1 (29)

Steps 575

Floors 35

Cal 87

Hr 125

(Right Glute very sore)

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

    Skip Bird Dog Planks 60s x 2

Arm rotations 20

Push-Ups 25 (legs shoulder width while staring at side mirror—slower & more sciatic pain)

Air Squats 25 (sore glute)

Neck Stretch / eye yoga