Tailgating is Not Okay

Today, I replaced Cardio Plus Friday with Whack the Machine Day. One machine still works so I figure I'd get my licks in while I could. It's been about three weeks since my last bout with the finicky equipment. The left machine is still down, due to a dead screen, and the right one still has a dead sensor in the Power Dig, and occasionally the screen goes black for several seconds. At least I didn't get any Hitting Too Hard Warnings.

I felt pretty good after all 15 rounds, and once I unwrapped my hands, I managed to get a set of pull-ups. Granted, I was so tired that the last few reps were a bit of a struggle. I also did some stretching because lately, my left shoulder has been knotting up. It's very unpleasant. I had a bunch of errands to do afterward so I drank my max-protein Ensure in the car with vitamins. I was excited to find a new flavor, Mixed Berry, offered in the 30-grams of protein beverage. (I'm liking the grocery store expansion because it means more room for more diverse products and a better variety of flavors!)

What I don't like are weirdos who don't understand basic etiquette. There's grocery-store etiquette, such as no suddenly stopping with your cart in an aisle; pull over to the side like you would do with a car. And no tailgating, not with your cart or while you are in line waiting for the cashier. A few days ago, a guy (probably my age) got in line behind me. He had a few items in his cart. There were other checkout lines available. He might be someone who goes to my gym, but I don't know him, and I don't really care.

I wait until the lady in front of me got her groceries all scanned and into the bagging area before I put my groceries on the conveyor. The guy starts putting his groceries on the conveyor as well. What a jerk. I toss the plastic divider bar on the conveyor but I'm not done unloading my cart. He's supposed to wait until I'm done. Instead, I'm forced to literally throw his items back at him. I'm really irritated because he's crowding me for no apparent reason. I'm a native New Yorker; we like our personal space. He says, "Thank you" when I move his groceries back. I just glare at him because if I were to speak, nothing civil would come out of my mouth.

A few days later, I'm putting things in my car and I notice another car the same color and model as mine, but a few spaces over. I'm focused on rearranging items in a shopping bag when I hear someone call out, "Good morning." What? At first, I don't look up because I don't think anyone is talking to me, especially from a distance. He persists and says a few other things that don't quite register with me. It's that same jerk from the supermarket. Ugh. I'm not friendly to people who accost me in parking lots, especially strange men who might know me from the gym. My hostility is automatic. Given the choice between Fight or Flight, I go into Rage mode. It's just the way I am. You just can't take the City out of the gal. It's a good thing I spent today wailing on the kickboxing machine.

Whacking Friday

10 min x-trainer
Calories 95
Miles 0.84
HR 153-183 (86)

T, Y & I Raises
5lbs x 15 x 2

Mid Band Pulls 15
High Band Pulls 15

Nexersys FM
Beginner 7r
Intermediate 5r
Advance 3r

Cage Stretch
HGPU 22

Quick Mat Stretch

Whack Whack Whack

I almost overslept this morning because unseasonably cool temps make great sleeping weather. I wake up just in time to get my son up so he doesn't miss the school bus. It's 46°F outside! It was 82 yesterday. The weather is absolutely crazy.

Still, it takes me forever to get to the gym. I get distracted too easily by all the things I need to do at some point, and while I'm thinking of it, well, might as well do it. Like dishes and laundry. And the dog is not feeling well. He has days where he just looks unhappy, and doesn't touch his food. His tummy is quiet and he's not searching for grass to nibble. He is 14 and a half so I'll give him a day before I really start to worry.

I get to the gym at noon. It's mostly empty. Because it's Friday. And it's actually sunny and fairly nice, except for the wind. I see Gym Owner with a screw driver and a can of WD-40. He's doing some maintenance on the treadmills. I wonder if he's had a chance to look at the Life Fitness cross-trainer with the wonky flywheel? I use the Precor elliptical for 10 minutes, then do my baby bell shoulder movements, followed by band pulls. Now I'm ready to whack the machine.

I got new Bluetooth earbuds from Amazon. The prices have dropped dramatically, and I don't recognize any brand names so I make my selection purely by the number of good reviews. I choose the All Cart Bluetooth Noise Cancelling In-Ear Sports Earbuds for under $20. They work well, and, although a bit clunky, are decently comfortable. The only difficulty I'm having is getting used to the controls which don't feel intuitive, and are hard to use with my left hand. It is nice not having to worry about the sweat flap, because there is no sweat flap. The charging port is actually on the right earbud! (Still, I keep my old pair of Parasom earbuds in my gear bag just in case. These are the earbuds that are very comfortable because they're so tiny, but the sweat flap was designed to impede the charging cable so I eventually just ripped it off. Eventually, sweat is going to destroy those earbuds too. I'm pretty sure that's what happened to my last two pairs of Bluetooth earbuds.)

I do 8 rounds Beginner, and 7 rounds Intermediate. I'm not really tired when I'm done, but I am sweaty. Still, I have a hard time finishing my reps for hammer grip pull ups. But that's all I'm doing today. I have had a picnic pork shoulder in a low heat (225F) oven since 10:15 this morning, lightly rubbed with liquid smoke and salt. Kahlua pork for supper!

Left: Sport Knit Pants  Right: Starfish Pants
Both pants are size Petite XS in black

 

 

I also get my Lands End order of pants. After trying them on, I have to return 2 out of 3 of them. And I'm not 100% happy with the item I'm actually keeping, if only because it doesn't really have pockets. But I knew that when I ordered it. It does have a semi-useful zippered credit card pocket just under the waistband over the front right hip. Why can't these comfy pants actually have front slash pockets? Then they'd be useful. The pants going back have nice big pockets, and are made of super soft comfy fabric. But the narrow elastic waistband is uncomfortably tight, and the pants are clownishly big in the hips. Who the heck are these pants made for? Granted, I'm not a wasp-waist woman, but this is ridiculous...

Friday

10 elliptical
Calories 94
Miles 0.83

T, Y & I Raises
3lbs x 15
5lbs x 15

Mid Band Pulls 15
High Band Pulls 15

Nexersys Follow Me
8r Beginner
7r Intermediate

HGPU 26

Stamina

The Jewish High Holy Days means there's been no school for 2 days. Just as well. My son can use all the sleep he can get. I'm a tad concerned about the low-dose antibiotic he's been taking to clear up his acne. He feels fine, and his skin is loads better. But he's also dropped weight. I'm not unhappy about that, but I worry that maybe this is unhealthy. He's not underweight by any means. I might mention this at his next pediatrician appointment next month for a flu shot. I've given up on flu shots for myself for the moment, but since my son is in school — a virtual hotbed of germs — annual flu shots are a wise precaution.

I get to the gym near noon. The gym's not crowded. It never is on a beautiful Friday. I do my warm up cardio, then baby bells and pull bands. A few stretches and I'm ready! In the middle of my 8 Beginner rounds, a very tall but young fellow starts wailing on the adjacent machine. He does 2 rounds and walks away. Figures. Most people I've seen at these machines can go about 2 rounds. I'm not sure what program they're running. Probably just Sparring since there's never any kicking or sweeps. It's always a flurry of crosses and jabs. And then they're done. Burnt out. Or bored. No stamina whatsoever. That's what Conor McGregor claims was his downfall in fighting Floyd Mayweather: not enough stamina.

Stamina is actually one of the reasons I go so many rounds at the Nexersys machine. It's also why I do so much cardio. And why I do it before I lift weights. To build up stamina. It's great to be strong, and flexible. But not if you're out of breath after 15 minutes. And I'd like to deliver as strong a Cross or Jab during round 15 as I did during the first round. Of course, the machine's not hitting back. Getting punched and kicked definitely sucks energy away from you. I do 7 more rounds Intermediate level, and then I squeeze out 26 hammer grip pull ups. I remember a day when I could do more, but that seems like such a long time ago. Ugh.

I plan to hit the gym next Monday, but sadly, I have too many appointments scheduled for Tuesday. So I'm making Hay while the Sun Shines! Today is the Autumnal Equinox. It's also my mother's birthday. I don't really miss her. I suppose that makes me a bad daughter. My sister posted about missing my mother a few days ago, on my mother's death anniversary. She had a different relationship with her. Still, I find it ironic that my sister, who couldn't bear to visit my mom during the 6 months she was dramatically ill, should write about that. But of course, she was my mother's favorite child. She claims she was too emotional to offer any help. Uh, okay.

So, I have fond memories of my grandmother, and not so fond memories of my mother. And my sister has barely any memories of my grandmother, but misses my mother dearly. My father's birthday is in two days. And although I had a tempestuous relationship with him as a child and young adult, he had mellowed by the time he passed away. So I miss him. But my sister, who had stopped speaking to my dad after my mom passed, does not. Oh well. Neither of us really speaks to our brother either. I guess that's just how families are, especially dramatic Asian ones. (Have you ever watch a Korean soap opera? The melodrama is real!)

Friday

10 elliptical
Calories 94
Miles 0.83

T, Y & I Raises
3lbs x 15
5lbs x 15

Mid Band Pulls x 15
High Band Pulls x 15

Nexersys Follow Me
8r Beginner
7r Intermediate

HGPU 26

Is it Sciatica Again?

My right leg isn't quite right. It doesn't hurt. Well, let me amend that statement. Both my quads are a bit sore today, probably from yesterday's 7.7 mile jaunt on the cardio machines. But the outside of my right ankle feels tight, like string pulled taut up along the outside of my calf. There's a vague sense of discomfort, going through my knee and ending somewhere over my back hip, perhaps just under the kidney. Ugh. My first thought is, "This is the leg that's prone to getting sciatica." My second thought is "I should be doing those piriformis stretches." But I haven't. Yet. It's not true sciatica. It's piriformis syndrome where the muscles deep inside the glute compress the sciatic nerve. So it feels just like sciatica, but relief can be achieved from a simple floor stretch.

Fridays I save for whacking the kickboxing machine. I'm pretty good with maintaining a routine. First warm up on the elliptical for 10 minutes, then warm up the shoulders with baby DBs on a flat bench. Stretch the legs, hips and back. Then use the silicone band to do band pulls to activate those much neglected muscles that run down each side of the spine. My shoulders have been unhappy lately, but mostly when I lay on my side in bed. Because they hate being compressed, and my limbs are prone to going numb in the wrong position. I want to make sure both shoulders are thoroughly warmed up before I attack the Nexersys. Having an existing shoulder injury already sucks. No need to aggravate it needlessly.

I like the idea of doing 15 rounds, so I tap in 8 rounds Beginner, and later, 7 rounds Intermediate. No point in doing the Advance level since the machine defaults to SouthPaw and can't be convinced otherwise at that setting. Of course, if I learn to forget about labels and just whack wherever the Avatar lights up, I might stand a chance at the Advance level. It did use to kick my butt on the other machine though. Today I remember to keep my fists tight so I don't suffer any grievous bruising to my knuckles, although my fingers felt a bit iffy. Between rounds, I note a few regulars like Marine, Maroon, WTC, little R and BigMustache.

My leg doesn't bother me at all during my time whacking the machine. I am really tired though, and I'm only good for 20 pull ups. I have to muscle through the remaining six with my teeth gritted. It doesn't help that even though I ate yogurt for breakfast, I'm absolutely famished before I hit the locker room to shower. I don't even stretch — I things to do! Like buy pastrami, Swiss cheese, rolls and spicy guacamole to make bag lunches for Sunday. The Scouts are doing their annual 5-mile hike up Breakneck Ridge. I did it last year, but I don't want to do it again. Going up was okay. Coming down really sucks for bad knees. A hiker died there just a few months ago. The Scouts will cancel if there's rain. Because slippery rocks suck when they're wet.

Me and my big pink gloves

Friday

10 elliptical
Calories 95
Miles 0.84

T, Y & I Raises
3lbs x 15
5lbs x 15

Band Pulls mid 15
Band Pulls high 15

Nexersys Follow Me
8r Beginner
7r Intermediate

HGPU 26

Keeping a Tight Fist

It took me a while to get out of the house, but I knew I was going to whack the machine no matter what. Luckily the gym's not very crowded mid-morning. For some reason, the gym staff have moved their giant, gold bicycle wheel trophy which sits atop a table, to just behind the first Nexersys machine. People on the Expresso bikes or the cross-trainers by the door don't really get in the way, but someone using that kickboxing machine, the one with the one repaired arm, would worry about stepping backward into the display. I guess it's suppose to be a Call to Arms, trying to entice others to participate in some sort of faux bike race. People compare their 24-hour mileage on the Expresso bikes, and someone wins something. Or so I gather from the sheet of names affixed to the sign up board.

There's always some sort of cardio competition going on here and everyone gets a tacky t-shirt that declares to the world that they are participants. This stuff has never appealed to me. Just like classes don't appeal to me either. I'd rather just do my own thing, dance to my own music and be completely oblivious to everyone else. At least when I'm working out. I hear The Mayor behind me exiting the gym, and calling to the former lady cop with a bad limp. He sounds retarded. "Have a happy fall. Fall, you know. End of summer." Jeeze. Just stop babbling, please.

After warming up, and wrapping my hands, I set the Nexersys for 8 rounds Beginner. By the 3rd round, the first two knuckles of my left hand hurt a bit. Which is odd because I'm pulling my jabs. But I'm not pulling the Lead Dig or Lead Body strikes. And that's my problem. I'm not keeping my fist tight so I'm punching with a "soft" hand, a hand that's a little loose in spite of being taped and wrapped and stuffed into a padded glove. When I make the conscious effort to tighten my fist (the glove has a grip bar attached to the palm), my hand immediately feels better. However, bruised is bruised, and by the end of 15 rounds, my left hand hurts. Once I unwrap, things are better. No scabs, no obvious discoloration. Whew!

I think about one of the summer camp counselors who wore a cast for several weeks, because he had broken his hand boxing. But he'd broken the last metacarpal, i.e. the pinky finger. You don't really punch with that part of your hand. Or at least you're not suppose to. That particular injury is called a Boxer Fracture. I guess it must be fairly common. I've bruised that part of my hand, but the other hand, the right hand, which packs a better wallop. That's why I put a moleskin strip running from pinky knuckle to ring finger knuckle: the bruising inevitably happens between the knuckles!

I had breakfast this morning, but I wasn't as sweaty as yesterday. I was, however, ravenous by the time I got back to the locker room. The good thing about hunger, though, is that if you ignore it long enough, it passes. I wind up scarfing down a key lime yogurt when I get home. I love these dessert flavors! But I'll probably be hungry in just a few hours again. Oh well...

Friday

10 elliptical
Calories 91
Miles 0.82

T, Y & I Raises
15 x 3 lbs, 5 lbs

Mid & High Band Pulls x 15

Nexersys Follow Me
8r Beginner
7r Intermediate

HGPU 31