mlandis’s BodyBlog

Had a great workout today.  Abs were killer and arms are sore and feeling good.

Was in the 50s today.  Today is suppose to be my rest day but it is in the 50’s in NE Ohio so I couldn’t resist, I went out for a 4 mile run, kept a good pace, just under 8’s.  Finished in 31:15.   Not bad for me in the winter.  I decide to throw out my rest day.  I never seem to obey any set workout schedule.  I try do strenthg 3 to 4 times a week and cardio 2 times with a mix of fitness/conditioning classes thrown in 1 or 2 times a week.  Knock on wood I’ve been injury free this whole time.  I think it is because my drive shuts down sometimes.  I’ve been known to just say the heck with it and not workout for a whole week.  Of course by the end of the week I have so much pent-up energy I’m ready to explode so I go back at it without missing a beat.

One thing I have done over the last year is stopped drinking so much beer.  I look at all pics and I always had a beer in my hand.  That is never a good example.  I have a teenage son and I want him to grow up not making some of the mistakes I did, and when I look back every mistake seems to involve alcohol.  Now I’m lucky if I drink one beer a week.  That is usually It I’m out to dinner or stopping down at the American Legion for the member’s meeting.  Have to have a beer with my fellow veterns! But even then I limit it to one. Alcohol can become too much of a crutch for stress relief.  I have found that a good workout relieves a lot more stress then beer and it is without the hang over. 

Feeling pretty good.  Got a great workout in tonight and the sun was shining most of the day!  Might even be in the 40’s tomorrow, that means running outside!  I have found that this winter I have become a fair weather runner.  Last year if it was above 22 I was out.  But this year I have focused more on lifting and over-all fitness instead of running.  I think I like this better.  I see a change in myself both mentally and physically, which is good.

Saturday.  Haven’t got my workout in yet.  Having another cup of coffee and contempleting the day’s schedule.  One thing I’m going to add to my workout today is "good mornings," they are recommended by a friend.  I’ve never done them and looking forward to something new.  The rest will be my normal back and chest.   

I recently bought a chin-up bar for home but haven’t put it up yet.  My drill broke, so looks like I’m going to have to buy a new one this weekend. 

Feeling really good today.  I will have to up the new "motivation" meter up to 10.

I got up this morning with sore legs from Monday and Tuesday’s workouts.  The genius that I am I agreed to do the track workout today.  1/4 miles @ 90 second, 70 second  recovery jog then repeat.  I made it for 10 quarters, my two buddies did 12.  Everything was find till I got back to my desk, yes I showered first, about an hour sitting in the chair I decided to get up and get a drink.  My legs functioned like I just had both knees replaced.  I had to walk stiff legged for about 20 steps.  After that they loosened up enough so I walked normal with only a slight grimace. 

Tomorrow is off day/yoga, I can’t wait!!

Feeling a bit sore today.  Had a good chest and back workout yesterday and today did abs,arms and legs.  Arms was brutal but good. 

Walked for about 35 minutes with the wife tonight, could have been better, she is doing the 3 day 60 mile walk at the end of July and I don’t think she realizes how much she is going to have to train for the walk.  I know with the marathon last year I had to keep focused, set goals and push myself.  I haven’t convinced her to set a goal yet, which is very important if she is going to be able to do all three days.

Today was good I got two workouts. 

At lunch did a sports conditioning class.  It is pretty intense, it last 30 minutes and when it is over  I usually feel like I just finished a 10k race.  The instructor is killer, she teaches back to back classes and kicks everyone’s butt in both classes.

The second workout was this evening and I did my normal chest and back.  It was good but the rec center was kind of crowded. Not sure what the deal was, maybe everyone remembered it is the middle of Feb and they havent’ been following their New Years Resolution.

I decided to change the St. Baldricks picture I referenced in my last post.  Just to keep everything smooth at work. 

No work out yesterday, went to a bike show, it was really good. Lots of custom bikes and of course women posing with them.  Going to shoot for some cardio today, no running though, going to hit the jumb rope.  That is my new love, it really works me and is a good break from the normal routine.

Want to hear something funny.  I going to shave my head for charity, a friend of mine’s daughter died a few years back from cancer.  It was very sad.  There is a charity called St. Baldricks that has volunteers get donations to have their head shaved.  A buddy of mine asked if I would like to join his team consisting of other employees, it is for a good cause so I agreed.. On the site you are to put a before picture.  I posted one and my friend called me and told me that some people at work felt it was not sending the proper message and I should remove it.  Now I have to note that this is not a corporate sponsered event, I’m doing this on my own and not for the company.  So instead of removing the picture I just removed myself from his team. 

You can click on the "Personal Website" in my Profile area and see the pic.  Do you think I over re-acted by getting mad?  I don’t see anything wrong with the pic.  But I could be wrong.

Had a great workout today.  Mid-50s in Ohio, but I stayed inside today and did my tri-fecta class.  Thanks Bradl for the heads up on what caused the eye pain, cerebral hyperemia.  He mentioned imporper breathing may have been the cause. Even though I know better, I have caught myself holding my breath during a hard lift.  This is bad for two reason; first you need to provide oxygen to your muscles when you are working them and second, when you hold your breath duing a strenious activity pressure actually increases behind your eyes.

Remember to inhale when you are lowing the weight (elongation phase) and exhale during the hard part of the lift (contraction phase).