The Journey

My legs feel like jello and my chest has DOMS, but that is all good. Saw another part of Kuwait today. It be hot.

Delts, back, and calves tomorrow.

From Kuwait — Viper

Holy smokes my legs feel like jello. Chief is back healthy so we went to gym tonight(monday) to crush our legs…and crush we did.

• Smith Machine Squat: 90×6, 110×6, 120×10, 130×12, 135×12
• Lunges with DBs: 20’sx6, 20’sx6, 25×10, 25×12, 30×12 (Note 1)
• Leg press: 200×6, 250×6, 300×10, 320×12, 330×12
• Leg Extension (Note 2): 125×12, 125×12
• Lying Leg Curl (Note 2): 95×12, 110×12
• Crunches: 2 sets 15
• Reverse Crunch: 2 sets 15 (Note 3)
• Leg Press Calf Raise: 200×12, 200×12
• Seated calf Raise: 70×12, 70×12

Note 1: Leg Press was supposed to be done right after squats but the machine was back-up so we did lunges

Note 2: Leg Extension and Lying Leg curl were both done on Nautilis machines

Note 3: Reverse Crunch was supersetted with the crunch.

I be sleepy now. tomorrow is an off day.

Two wonderful things are upon me. I have a lifting partner (finally!!) and I’m deployed to an area with a great gym and good healthy food four times a day. Yes I will miss my old gym but I’ll be back soon to it.

Unfortunately, my lifting partner was out with a bad headache probably induced by lack of sleep/jet lag. In any case, I started the Muscle & Fitness Rock Hard Challenge on Sunday and it was chest and triceps. Three words: Holy freakin crap.

I’m smoked as this is a high intensity workout. Tomorrow is legs and I think Chief and I might just get super-smoked because of it. Oh well.

• Incline Bench Press-5 Setsxreps: 95×6, 115×6, 125×6, 135×10, 135×12 (Note 1)
• Bench Press (used Hammer Strength machine)-5 sets: 90×6, 110×6, 130×6, 150×10, 160×12 (Note2)
• Decline flye-4 sets: 25×12, 30×12, 35×12, 35×12 (worked on good form)
• Seated Dips-5 sets: 90×6 120×6, 145×10, 160×12, 160×12
• Close grip Bench Press-4 sets: 95×6, 105×6, 115×10, 125×12 (Note 3)
• Lying Tricep Extension-3 sets: 30×6, 50×6, 70×10 (note 4)

I supplemented with creatine before and creatine+glutamine afterwards, and then a good dinner of protein, carbs, and veggies.

Note1: was supposed to be 6 sets, I rest paused on the last set, 6 reps, 30 sec rest, then 6 more reps

Note 2: 6 sets again but only did 5, rest paused on the last two sets.

Note 3: was supposed to be 5 sets

Note 4: was supposed to be 5 sets but I was smoked and my form became very sloppy.

I leave for Iraq fairly soon. If I don’t post for about a month or so don’t be alarmed. Lots to do, possibly little connectivity where I’m going. I’ll be safe and trust me, I’ll keep lifting. It’s about the only thing to help keep one sane over there.
Thanks for all the encouragement and support. You guys and gals are awesome. Keep up the fire!

– Viper

How do I know you ask?

Last night the Rockies played at Dodgers Stadium, a ballpark known for being difficult to hit out of, especially at night and over centerfield.

Rockies lead 4-3. Holliday comes up and this season he’s got a reputation for going yard quite often.

Johnson gives him low heat, down and away. A good pitch. Holliday extends his reach, connects with the end of the bat, and drives that sucker all the way over centerfield and 8 rows in. Holy crap, most people would have been happy with a blop hit over the infield…or would not have even swung on.

As Drew and Jeff said last night: "You just don’t DO that in this ballpark….that tells you how strong he is"

GO ROCKIES!!

Monday was decent I guess. Had a crappy morning lift b/c I commited a sin of weightlifting….I chit-chatted with some Soldiers and got over engaged in conversation. tsk tsk.

• DB Flat Bench: 60×12, 70×10, 70×10
• BB Incline Bench: 125×12, 145×10, 155×8, 155×6

Went to my regular gym in the afternoon andhad a crappy lift cuz I’d been out of sync for so long. Great stress relief though.

• Pullups, Set of 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2
• T-bar Rows: 70×12, 90×10, 90×10 (not counting the bar…i know, that’s weak)
• Lateral Pulldowns: 130×12, 150×10, 150×8 (shoulder cranked…again weak)

So Yesterday I did the local 5k at JQ downtown. Felt awesome. If you’re from Coloradro Springs, then you know what I’m talking about and if you don’t PM me so I can get you up to speed. It rocks. Free food and $2.50 Guinness afterwards.

74 pushups - 99 points

68 situps - 84 points (rare form on that one, I usually max)

13:52 - 2 mile run - 90 points

Total: 273 points.

Not bad for being a total sluggo. My give-a-damn’s been busted for awhile, but it’s okay to know that I can score above a 270 cold turkey with no warning. Not my best, and not what I am out to achieve. This will change for the better.

4 mile unit run. not too fast or too slow. felt good pushing up one of the hills.

PT test tomorrow. Should do okay.

How do I stay motivated when I get into a rut? What keeps me going back to the gym on days when I want to sit at home, eat pizza, and drink beer? What keeps me honest about my performance in relation to my goals?

The bodyspacers….. a group of folks dedicated to their goals and supporting others in their quest to achieve health, beautiful bodies, and peace in their lives.

Cmrider, a motivated lady who is on her way to becoming an Army officer. As an officer myself, I know I can’t fail or betray her trust when it comes to fitness. Her respect and constant questions keep me honest about myself.

Adina, a Texan who overcame being overweight and is now the most MOTIVATING blog writer on the website (in my opinion). She is a steady source of encouragement. Positive, yet firm, she reminds us all that our fitness(or lack thereof), our lifestyle, everything… is a CHOICE! and we must make the right choices if we expect to live healthy and happy.

MsFitness, one of my first "buddies" on this site, she has more guts than a lot of guys. She’s the lady you see in the gym, on Friday night, crushing out a LEG day. She’s the lady who will brave snow, wind, and storm to get to the gym.  She is the lady who will give you ab workouts that will dominate you. She’s set the standard for purpose, dedication, and pure unadulterated heart. 

fastdraw, a newly minted US Marine who wants to run a marathon. Having done one myself, I know what type of mental strength it takes to push out the 26.2 miles. And as a military man, his dedication to his craft brings a hearty nod of approval. He’ll make a fine Marine NCO someday.

Thank you friends, for keeping me honest and being the motivating factor on the hard days. 

More to follow….

PT was a smoker. Ran to commo hill, ran up the steep southside and alternated on elevated, regular, and wide-arm pushups with a buddy. Did that 3 times.

At the gym here was the routine

• DB flat bench press: 60×10, 60×12, 65×10
• Incline BB Bench: 115×8, x5, x5
• Lat bar pulldown: 120×10, 120×12, 130×10
• T-bar row: 45×10, 55×10, 65×10 (added to apparatus weight)
• Standing BB Military Press: barx10, x10
• DB Front Raise: 20×10, 20×10
• Tricep Pressdown: 100×10, 120×10, x10
• Dips to failure

I’m out of shape but I’ll get it back. I feel better already.