FazerFX’s BodyBlog

Took it easy on myself today, not getting out of bed until 8:45 in the morn and only working out once. Did at least hit legs, which was pretty challenging with my hernia. Leg press maxed out at two plates per side for ten reps, my right thigh hurting and sending the signal to shut things down before I really blew a gasket. Was pretty happy to be able to do a light shoulder workout (lat raises supersetted with front raises) without upsetting my abdominal tear. Ab work definitely aggravated the wound, but I had less trouble today than last Monday/Tuesday. DK if this is because I ripped things a bit yesterday while paddling or if things have healed up in the five day abdominal layoff.

     Well, time to hit the sack and dream about BECOMING!

Got up early today (6:40AM), which is downright disgusting for a Saturday! Made good use of the extra hours by taking a 5 mile spin on my roadbike (1/2 hour) and then getting some photos done for my Bodyspace. Had planned on working back today, even though it’s obvious that getting my hands away from my body (stretching my torso) and pulling causes the hernia to hurt more. Ended up passing on both the gym and an evening bike ride, but went KAYAKING instead!

     Awesome time on Town Lake with a Pamlico 100 (recreational sit-in yak) and a friend. Started out a bit timid, trying to feel the limits afforded me by my "Sumo belt" (still wearing that two inch athletic bandage around my waist). After about five minutes though, I was really going at it, paddling medium hard/medium fast for speed. My friend (with a sit-on top kayak) served as the carrot for me to chase, but I dropped that pursuit when I spotted WAVES!

     This past April, we’d done a demo on Town Lake and I had my first encounter with waves while hand powering a watercraft. That was a fun 15 minutes, but it was nothing compared to what I encountered today. The winds over the lake were strong and they whipped up some good size waves with white tips showing now and again. I went through three fields, two of which were both long and fierce, it was absolutely awesome!!! The water breaking over the tip of my Pamlico, having to steer left or right to crash head on into the changing waves, unexpected dips opening up before me, this is fun to me! I effing tore my guts up at least twice (hernia), but to me it was entirely worth it!!

     We stayed out for fifteen minutes past the hour we’d expected to do, it seems my friend and I were totally off on how strong the current would be on the return trip. The wind had died down and I only found one worthwhile field of waves to try to ride back to the docks. I’d never read about how to float on waves (or ride into them), but maybe it was from watching some surfing show or the opening to Hawaii Five Oh (yes, I am old), I did it and did it Fun! It’s pretty neat, you paddle along at kind of an idle and then you feel (and see) the swell coming up on you and you immediately try to paddle faster to ride with the wave. It was very interesting to feel held back when I’d lag behind a wave and fall in the dips, but I much more liked giving it my all and staying on top. Good speed was had and I can’t wait to try more of this!

     After the days adventure, I convinced my friend to raid a desert case (post pizza dinner) and I consumed 1/2 of a pastry I should have passed on, but it was just more of today’s fun. It’s days like today that make it worth getting out of bed and I look forward to having more adventures to share both with my friends in Austin and you here online!

FazerFX

Austin, TX

So, about three weeks ago I re-injured an abdominal strain and really fell off the wagon. Prior to that, I’d gotten myself down to 168 (20# less than a year ago) and was feeling pretty strong. The hernia is not making big improvements, possibly because I blasted abs Monday and Tuesday, but I decided to take up "arms" again.

     Almost 20 years back, I herniated myself so badly that my left nut "grew" to three times normal size. I took three days off the gym, then tied an athletic bandage around my waist and went back to work. Six weeks later, I was much stronger, somewhat leaner, and my hernia had "healed." So, as of last night, I’ve gone and tied and athletic bandage around my waist and I started lifting again today.

     I’m likely to win the Olypmia before I ever get an award for "Highest IQ," but thanks for reading and any tips (I’ve already been told not to breed!) that you might have.

FazerFX