Breaktime

Last night was my last torture session for a week and a half as I’ll be tied up with work commitments.  To say I was excited about the prospect of a vacation from the Sadist is an understatement.  As he put me through my paces, he repeatedly told me I was already missing him.  HA! As the session progressed I would have gladly paid just about anything for him to go away. 
 

The Sadist had me doing squats, calf raises, shoulder presses and bicep curls as fast as I could for 10 reps, 5 sets holding a 30lb weighted bar.  I have to say I am proud that I did not fall over once.  I did get a bit tipsy, but managed to catch myself, though he caught me once or twice.  It was the bicep curls that were the biggest challenge (aside from my balance).  We did this with another set of exercises but with lighter weights and the addition of push-ups.  When I was 16 I sucked at push-ups, why would I want to do them when I’m 43?  I have no idea.  We ended the session with some killer abs exercises.  Apparently I didn’t whine enough as we had a good 15-20 minutes for abs.  Ugh!
 

If I were honest I know I’ll miss him along with bi-weekly torture sessions.  After a year and a half It has become so much a part of my weekly routine that it feel strange when I am not there.  This is not to say I particularly enjoy working out, I enjoy the challenge and the end results (after the muscles recover).  I almost must admit I do enjoy looking at his pretty face, which helps with the torture.
 

Speaking of torture, I ran the Gobble Cobble with the girls.  It was billed as a 7k, but I’m not sure that was really the case.  Regardless of the distance it was still a challenge.  I lost Maria and Terri during the 1st mile and had to motivate myself to continue.  I wanted to quit so many times especially when I started to get the sharp pain in my left calf.  At one point as I ran, I was talking to another runner.  I noted I was not a fan of running, yet somehow I ended up running races and had all the gear to go with it.  She just laughed and said she could relate.  If I wasn’t so stubborn, determined to meet a challenge and hold myself to a high standard I would have at least taken a shortcut or two but I just couldn’t do it.  Overall, I was happy with my final result and even managed to finish before the rest of the gang.  The added bonus, I didn't fall once running over the cobbles, came close, but didn't actually do it.

When I get back from my trip, I’ll be running the Celtic Solstice 5 miler.  While I’m gone I’m going to have to find some motivation to train for that.  I’m not sure it will be pretty unless I do.

Sneaky Sadist

I have a very sneaky Sadist and sometimes I forget that. No worries though he reminded me today.  During my twice-weekly torture session he had me do a routine known as Add-Ons.  For those who are not familiar with Add-Ons, it is an easy concept.  You start with one exercise for a number reps and then repeat that exercise and add another exercise. You then repeat exercise 1, then 2 and add exercise 3. You continue this way until you have a total of 5 exercises (or at least that is how many we do).  You then repeat that entire routine but each time increasing the number of reps per exercise.  I went through this routine 3 times with 10, 15 and 20 reps respectively.  By the time I left the gym I was exhausted but I couldn't figure out why since that was all we did.  Well, after some rest I figured it out. Once you look at what I did by the numbers, I did a lot more than I thought. Here are the total number of reps I completed for each exercise today:

 

Bicep Curls - 225 reps
Squats with 20lb weight - 180 reps
Shoulder Presses - 135 reps
Calf raises - 90 reps
Reverse Flys - 45 reps



By breaking it down as we did, it didn't seem as if I did so much. At least now I realize why I was struggling with the bicep curls during my 3rd go around.  I have a suspicion that I'm going to be feeling this work out over the next couple of days.  

Just when I think I'm getting better, he throws something in like this that pushes me without me even realizing it.  I'm sure I'll thank him later, but right now I'm just annoyed that he snuck that many reps in.  The last time I did that many squats I was barely walking for 3 days.  Hopefully that isn't the case this time.  All I know I is, pay backs can be a bitch.  I don't feel so bad now about my whining during the last round.  No wonder my arms and legs were complaining.  They had a good reason for it.  

I am back to wondering about my sanity in doing this torture.  I know in the long run it is good for me, but when I'm in the middle of doing it nothing looks good.  I guess this means the Sadist is doing his job and I should be happy about that but why does it have to be so hard all the time.  At least I can hope the aches won't be too bad this week.

Doubts

Another Friday, another workout and another day of feeling like I'm getting nowhere.  Apparently this wasn't my week when it came to working out.  The Sadist could do nothing but irritate me.  I did figure out why he has been irritating me, though it took a few days. There are times I just don't want to be pushed but as a trainer that is his job.  He suppose to push me when I am waning or unmotivated in my workout.  However, just because he's doing his job, doesn't mean I am happy about it and in fact sometimes I would rather wipe that smile right off his face. 

On Friday we did a slightly different workout, one he said we wouldn't use a lot of weights.  Ha, he lied.  Even though it wasn't the normal workout, there were still plenty of weights and plenty of times for me to feel inadequate.  The workout was a series of eight exercises that were each done for 45 seconds each, with a 25 second in between rest and a 2 minute rest at the end of the series.  It didn't start well, as we started with a plank into push up.  I think I managed 2 maybe 3.  My biggest challenge was just getting from the plank to the push up stance.  I could not seem to balance on just one arm in order to push up to the other and that was before the actual push-up. 

As I was going through the series of exercises I got more and more irritated.  At one point he came up to me and asked how I was doing.  My reply was something between okay and a grunt.   While glaring at him, the Sadist said "It is okay to call me names."  I informed him not to worry, I was way ahead of him and I had already called several names, none that were good.  There were some exercises that didn't make me feel weak and incapable, but the ones that did were horrendous. Today, I have the bruises to prove it.  

Some days I really wonder if it is at all worth it.  It seems like every step I take forward, I just end up falling several steps back.  There are days I feel more my fathers age then my own. Am I fooling myself, that I can get into shape this late in the game?  I'm not sure if I'm a glutton for punishment or just certifiably nuts.  I guess there is a good possibility that I could be both, but hopefully some sanity will make its way back into my life.  Until then I guess I'll just keep annoying Sadist by being annoyed.  :)

Sunday and Still Sore

It's been over 48 hours since my last workout and I am beyond sore.  Just straightening my arms is a painful reminder of my Friday workout.  Pretty much any movement of my arms is painful right now. Usually, I'm sore, which I expect, but this has taken it to the next level. I've been checking out articles on how to heal or at least minimize the soreness of the muscles.  I've taken the ibuprofen and am putting ice on them as well as some massaging.  Did I mention that my abs were also complaining? Let me tell ya, they are.

Days like these are when I really question my sanity in continuing with this ongoing craziness known as training.  I am continually pushed towards my limits.  On Friday, I was doing some bench presses and as we continued, my arms became more leaden.  Towards the end of the 3rd set, I could barely straighten my arms as I pushed up and I know that I was given a little help.  Actually it felt like he was doing it as my muscles began failing me.   I was told very little help was provided, but from point of view I can't imagine how I was able to make those last several reps.

Along with the bench presses, I did around-the-worlds and reverse around-the-worlds as well as modified pull-ups.  The pull-ups are done on a TotalGym.  We started at an angle that was just a little to high. So it was moved down to it's maximum height and after each set he lowered it.  The lower it got, the wimpier I felt but my arms were loudly complaining, so it was for the best. Somehow, someway I survived all the insults to my arms,but of course a training session wouldn't be complete without ab work.

Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike abs? Well, that dislike hasn't changed.  Friday was roman chair work and then declined sit ups.  I did pretty good, until someone thought I needed a little resistance thrown in.  As I would sit-up that someone would hold my shoulders back.  After 5 of those and lots of threats he kindly let me finish up without resistance. It's nice to know he has some compassion. 

As Sunday, becomes Monday I wonder if Hurricane Sandy will take out my one of my  sessions. With the way I am feeling, this may not be a bad idea. Some good just might come out of her visit to the mid-Atlantic.  :)

Running Towards a Goal

Over the weekend, I cheered Hannah on as she ran a half-marathon.  As I stood there watching all the people passing by, I realized I missed doing that.  I also realized that my goals for training were very wishy-washy and was probably part of the reason I had been feeling ambivalent about it all.  By the time Hannah came running by I decided that next year I wanted be one of the thousands of people who were being cheered on.   It has been a long time since I've done any real running.   I don't consider playing live frogger on a busy street as running.  Once I thought this through and Hannah announced it at the staff meeting, it was time to talk to the Sadist.  He seemed kind of psyched by it.  I'm sure once he sees my running abilities that may change.

After yesterday's session, running is the last thing on my mind.  We did lunges upon lunges.  My quads were burning to the point that as I drove home my legs shook every time I hit one of the pedals.  I told the Sadist if he kept this up, he was going to be driving me around for a while.  I was able to do the step-ups even on the higher step this time with minimum balance issues.  Most of my balance issues came with the lunges but the Sadist was there to make sure I didn't fall and hurt myself.  Since we had done legs, it was time to punish my arms.  Being the sweet man he is, I didn't have to stand anymore, this time I got to kneel and do my curls, presses and triceps.  He is just so kind to me sometimes I go all giddy. Since he was in such a benevolent mood, he even let me lay down for my abs.  Of course he hooked me up to the cable machine and had me pull my knees to my chest but I was laying down.  I swear I feel like I'm on torture device when he attached my legs to it.  He assured me it wasn't, but I know better.  After my 100 crunches I was done, in more ways then one. 

Next week I'll start down a new road as I work towards running.  Luckily I have a year to get there.  In some ways I am apprehensive thanks to my drop foot which has caused me some trouble.  In other ways I am excited to have a concrete and measurable goal.  As with everything I do at my torture sessions, I will be challenged.  I'm also interested in what the Sadist comes up for training.  He indicated some possible offsite work.  Since I have to work this weekend and will miss Friday, I won't be finding anything out until next Tuesday.  At least my muscles will have a chance to stop hurting before I show up to start my next stage in training.

 

Point of No Return

Hanging at the O's Game.

Wow, what a day.  Last night I was at the Orioles/Yankees ALDS game and the Orioles won.  It was an exciting but very late night and even after I got home, I was still too wired to sleep.  I finally fell asleep sometime after 3 am.  Unfortunately, it hasn't been just a crazy day, but a crazy several weeks.  Things at school, work, home, training, and even the Orioles have had me juggling my life and pushing through when I may have wanted nothing more than to say I quit.  I think my body finally had enough of me running on adrenalin and not really taking time to sit back and relax.

Why is this all important? Over the past couple of years, I have learned that when my body decides enough is enough, it takes some drastic measures.   As I try to continue on the same path, I find that I have what feels like motion sickness even when I'm not moving.  Today was the day that my body had enough, but it is also the day I have training.  The two really don't go together. 

I knew I was tired and I had felt a little off during the day and even a little nauseated but chalked that up to being hungry.  During my bike warm up, I was barely keeping my head up.  In fact, I laid it down on my arms while peddling. Generally I am tired after a long day at work, but today I didn't work and yet I was completely exhausted even with sleeping in.   I really should have taken notice when I was feeling nauseated and even a little dizzy earlier in the day.  Even though I know my body can rebel, I don't always pay attention. There are times I can be downright dense.

The Sadist noticed right off I wasn't on my A game and I'm not even sure I was on my B, C, or D game.  It seemed the more I worked out the more nauseated I felt.  As I have noted before, I really don't like throwing up.  Since we started with split squats, I wasn't overly surprised with the nausea as I frequently feel that while doing this exercise, but it didn't stop there.  Even as I worked on my tri and biceps, I found the nausea increasing.  At one point I ran for the bathroom as I wasn't sure the nausea wouldn't turn into a full blown throw up session.  Luckily for me, that didn't happen.  Once the stomach settled I came out and asked where we left off.  I didn't complain at all during the session though I did take several breaks.  I was able to get through the arms, shoulders, and legs.

Next up was the ab exercises and I just wasn't sure I would survive that without tossing some cookies.  It didn't take the Sadist long to offer a deal.  We would skip it for this session and do double on Friday.  I readily jumped at it.  I'd rather leave the contents of my stomach right where they are.  Since we didn't do abs, we added a few more arm exercises.  Someone, who will remain nameless, was picking on me,  he really should know better when I am armed with weights.  Of course since I was off my game, he wasn't in any danger of being nailed with one or two of them, but I still had some fight in me.  We ended the session early which was fine with me.  Once I got home, I literally collapsed and was asleep within moments.   I'm sure the training helped to push me past the point of no return, but it also helped with falling asleep.  Hopefully, by Friday I'll be doing much better.  I plan to get some extra rest the next couple of days and maybe just maybe that will help.

Rainy Tuesdays & Sweaty Workouts

It has been a rainy Tuesday and I longed to stay curled up in bed with a good book.  Unfortunately, that was not to be as not only was it a work day, but a training one too.   For some reason the boss expects me to show up every day and do actual work if I want to get paid.  I've been trying to find a loop hole to this, but so far its been a fruitless search. I do find rainy days to be conducive to exercising since I usually don't do much outside while it is pouring.  As with most of my sessions, I came home feeling worn out and a little worse for wear.

We did work on a little bit of everything but the legs were engaged one way or another in each of the exercises.  Again I did work on the rack, which  is a good name for it as it definitely feels like a torture device.  Anyway, he had me doing squats with the barbell and then added weight for the next sets.  Of course, three sets weren't enough, so I did a fourth set.  I swear he does this to annoy the crap out me and each time it works.  I made the mistake of looking at my workout sheet when I was done.  He had added 20lbs for the second set and for the third set it was an additional 10lbs. Each time he said I wouldn't have a problem.  What I found out by looking at my worksheet was that the starting weight was 55lbs.  I'm so glad I didn't know this before I started.  There would have been a lot more whining than what I actually did.  Yes, he was right and I was able to do them, but it did take a lot out of me.  After I was done, I was feeling quite dizzy and tuckered out, so we had to take a slight break. For the future, I need to remind myself not to drink water before squats.  One of these times, I'm going to upchuck all over the Sadist and although that may be fun to see, I really hate throwing up. 

Once I recovered from that initial exercise we moved on to arm exercises that are usually done laying down, but in order to engage my legs they were all done standing up.  I did pretty good on those and again tried not to look at what I was lifting.  No need to get myself worked up over a number.  Even though I did well, I was huffing and puffing by the end.  I felt like I was in worse shape now then when I started. The Sadist said I was just doing more now since I was in better shape.  I'm not sure how I feel about all of that.  How am I suppose to know if I'm getting better if I'm always feeling out of shape?  Sure to get better I gotta do more, but my mind doesn't always think that way.

Well depending on what happens with the last two games of the season, I may or may not be at the studio on Friday.  It's looking more like I will be since the odds are in favor of the O's playing the A's in a wildcard game on Friday in Oakland.  That's a little too long of a commute.  However, if by some miracle they are playing in B-more, then I'll be at the stadium instead of training.  Let's go O's.

I Don't Wanna!!!

I am too old for this crap.  The first and even second sets are okay, but that third one has to go.  He even snuck a fourth set in on the floor bench presses. Is there any wonder I have nicknamed him the Sadist?  As I type this, my arms are quivering from the abuse. If anyone can make me whiny and act like a 5 year old, it's the Sadist.  I had him laughing when I adamantly declared in my best kid voice, "NO." All I needed to do was stomp my foot and stick out my lower lip and it would have completed the picture.

I think for some of the exercises today he did as much, if not more, of the work than I did.  I try not to look at the amount of weight he is giving me prior to doing the exercise so that I don't psyche myself out, but every so often I peek and sure enough it doesn't help.  Doing bench presses with a weighted bar is one thing, but a barbell with weights is completely different.   That last press was mostly the Sadist and very little of me.  I couldn't even do 3 pushups after all the abuse my arms endured.

Seriously, I need a reminder as to why I am busting my ass, both figuratively and literally, two times a week.  Some days I don't feel as if I'm getting anywhere except a one way ticket to Whineville.  I noticed on the wall today that someone has stuck a "No Whining" sticker, which I promptly ignored.   Of course if I didn't whine, the Sadist would think something is wrong and I can't have him thinking that.   Today was not one of those days that I liked him very much and he just pissed me off.  His big brown eyes had no affect on me what so ever.  He doesn't really care if I like him or not, but it's the principle of the thing.  He says I'll like him tomorrow.  Right now, I'm not thinking so, though I'll like that I'm not seeing him.  Maybe by Tuesday, I'll be feeling some sort of love towards him, but I'm not holding my breath. 

Back to the Workouts

Well, it looks like the Sadist and I are back to "normal." After two weeks of me being blah, I finally feel a little more like myself and we picked up on our usual banter.  Okay, it is mostly me whining about the exercises but most of them are whine worthy.  One of today's challenges was to do squats in yet a different way.  This time we used the power rack and again the motto was low and slow.  By the last rep with the extra weight, if I hadn't had a little help, my squat would have become me sitting unceremoniously on the ground.  However, with the help, I was able to get myself up again.  Luckily, that was it for the legs today. 

For the next challenge, I spent time on the bench working on my arms and chest.  At least this time I got to lie down for much of my work out, though he did insist that I work out.  I did sets of flies, reverse flies, reverse around the worlds and bench presses.  Why does it always seem that the heaviest and hardest weights are done after my arms are tired out and more like jello instead of arms of steel?  He's explained it to me, but I still think we could find a happy medium somewhere.   Unfortunately, he isn't all that great at compromise sometimes.

This weekend is going to be a busy one, with me going to the Ravens game on Sunday and then the Orioles double header on Monday.  I have already forewarned him that I could be a little cranky on Tuesday.  He suggested that I sleep and rest much of Saturday to prepare for the two days of partying.  Hopefully, by Tuesday, I'll still have a voice as well.  It will definitely be worth it though and as I said he has been forewarned.

Let's go Ravens!!

Let's go O's!! 

Frustrating Friday

Today was one of those days where you just wonder why you bothered getting out of bed.  Work was beyond challenging.  The week before a meeting is always my most stressful and today wasn't any different.  At one point, I was ready to blow my top and walk out on everything, but thanks to a fabulous friend I was able to redirect and refocus some of my frustration so I could get work done.  By the time I got to the studio I was a little calmer and ready to work out.

From the craziness at work, I walked into the craziness known my personal training.  I decided to continue with being quiet since I had a rough day.  I just let him lead me and fortunately I trust him.  He did not disappoint in coming up with exercises that kicked my butt but he also addressed some of my minor challenges.  One such challenge is my left shoulder which I find very frustrating and I know it shows even if I don't say anything.  As I quietly stewed and tried to convince him that my left arm was not required. He came up with another plan.  Apparently none of my arguments about not needing the arm convinced him.  I'm doing so well on some things and others just seem impossible.  I have to say his little contraption for my arms seemed to work and my left should did not lock up.  Woo hoo!!  I hate when he is right.

We did a lot of work on my chest, though it seem to affect my biceps and triceps more.  I guess I'll have to wait a day or two to see where the pain settles.  He even helped me with some pull ups though personally I think he did most of the work. As always abs sucked, though again my arms seemed to take the brunt of it. Today's exercises seemed destined to tire out my arms and even as I write this, they are still a little shaky.

Next week I get a little break since I'm out of town.  I have a feeling that even though I'm not going to be seeing the Sadist on Tuesday, I'll still end up in a gym somewhere doing it on my own.  It may not be as much fun nor as motivating, but I'll get it done.   This will be the first time since the beginning of July that I will not have worked out with the Sadist. It will definitely be a good test to see how dedicated I have become.

A Quiet Challenge

Today's workout went well even though I'm still not feeling 100% regarding whether or not to continue, but I am showing up and working hard. My irrational side is warring with my rational side and just when I think the rational one will come out on top, the irrational comes up with something new to consider.  As you can see I think way too much. As I noted in the last blog I was determined to be nice today and not take any of my moodiness out on the Sadist.   The best way I know to do that is to just keep my mouth shut and if you know me, you know that is a challenge all on its own.

Today's workout included planks, squats, back extensions, seated rows, and some ad exercises.  It doesn't sound like a lot but it actually was.  I did three different types of squat exercises on the leverage squat machine and they had to be slow and low.  The squats were a pain in the butt, literally.  After the second set of reps, my butt started cramping especially on the incline squats.  I also started having some back soreness so we took some time to do some stretches to help with that.  The back extensions helped stretch the sore part a bit for awhile, but as he added weight, that soon changed.    The best exercise today was the seated row.  I started at 30lbs, but that was just too light.  We then moved up to 40 then 60 and when they proved to be relatively easy, we finally settled on 80lbs.  I was impressed and proud of myself and I think he was too.  I still had energy in me and probably could have moved up another 20, but I had already done 4 sets.  I can save that for another day.  All in all the work out was good and I feel as if I made some progress.  I still don't like abs even though the Sadist keeps telling me I love them.  I think hell has a better chance of freezing over than that happening.

Before I left I did apologize for being such a brat on Friday.  As I expected he brushed it off, but I felt better because I really hate being that way to others and he didn't deserve it.  We had some banter, but it wasn't the same plus I wasn't quite myself either since I was being rather agreeable and quiet.  Hopefully over the next couple of visits we'll get back some of the fun and my rational side will finally win the battle.  It felt really good to exceed with the rows and that has pushed some of that irrational thinking right out of my brain.  I just need to keep it up.  I am now looking forward to my massage on Thursday.  It is the perfect complement to all this training. :)

Something's Afoot

Something seemed off during today's workout.  I'm not sure what it was, but it just didn't feel right.  The banter between the Sadist and I was there and as usual the man can't count.  We did a lot of work with the resistance bands and they weren't easy, but again, not quite hard either.  Maybe because I didn't sweat like someone running a marathon or two it felt off. Usually by the time I get home from a workout any piece of clothing I have on is drenched.  I'm definitely not one of those females that "perspires", I sweat big time. Personally I find it icky and hate being wet when not in water.  While I don't like being sweaty, it feels odd if I'm not after a workout.  The sense of accomplishment just isn't the same.

The other thing that happened was that the Sadist ran late today.  He rushed in about 15 minutes late and didn't seem to be in the best of moods.  Having dealt with moody males most my life, I just let him be.  It was the first time I had beat him to the studio and I managed to get my warm up done and I was cooling down when he finally walked in.  It looks like I may have to kick up my warm up a bit as it seemed a little too easy. 

I'm interested in seeing how Friday's workout goes. Hopefully it will feel normal or as normal as it gets.  At least he and I seemed to be in our usual banter mode though the amount of grief I gave him was a little light.  I may need to kick that up on Friday or maybe I'll go in the complete opposite direction.  Hmm, decisions, decisions.  What shall I do?

Fifty-Fives

Today's torture was something called 55s.  Although I had never heard of them I had a feeling I wasn't going to like them, but I said I would give it a try.  I really should listen to my gut when I don't think I'll like something.  They started off innocently enough, but it just went downhill from there.  The first set was shoulder presses with pushups.  If you aren't familiar with 55s, which I wasn't, it is an easy concept at least the way we did it.  First you do one shoulder press followed by one push up. You follow this by two shoulder presses and two pushups and so forth until you have done 10 shoulder presses and 10 pushups. I believe that by the time you are finished you have done 55 reps.  I could confirm or deny that fact, but that would take more than I really want to put into it.  Around the 7th round (7 presses/7 push-ups) my arms refused to push me up, so we moved to doing wall pushups (are they still pushups then?).  Even those were killer.  I was allowed a little rest, but we weren't done there.  Following the shoulder presses & pushups, I also did combos of bicep curls and triceps presses and ended with reverse flys, lat raises and forward raises.  When asked my feelings towards this exercise, I accurately commented "I hate them."  As usual his response, with a big toothy grin was "No you don't, you know you love them."  That earned him rolling eyes.

The Sadist showed some kindness and we didn't do legs today, but we weren't done by a long shot.  After more bicep curls & steering wheels we headed off to abs.  I am getting better at the abs and that they aren't quite as bad, but I still don't like them.  For incentive, one of the exercises included doing a sit-up followed by throwing a 6-lb ball at the Sadist. Of course before he would let me do that I had to do a plank for 60 secs.  After all of this, my strength to throw the ball had vanished and as much as I wanted to wipe the smug smile of his pretty little face, I fell just a little short.  Oh, if ever there was motivation to get even stronger this was it.  Just once I would love to knock him on his ass.  He may be good to look at, but he has definitely earned his nickname.

My only hope now, is that tomorrow I'll be able to put my car in reverse otherwise I'll be stuck home.  Maybe I should have the Sadist be my chauffeur for the weekend.  It's the least he can do.