Cal's Big Log 3D - Attack of the Giant Arse

Training
381

As promised, squats this morning, even though I felt like crap. Yesterday I ate well (protein, carbs, lots of veggies), rested and did my foam rolling, so I should have felt like a million dollars. Instead I feel tired and groggy with a bit of a headache. I’m sure part of it is that it’s still pitch black at 6am, so I feel less ready to get up, but also because Flo is due in town shortly (bitch would wait for a weekend I’m due to go away. Typical).

Anyway, I sucked it up and headed for the gym. Changed my warm-up a bit - did my hypers, reverse hypers and clams as normal but then used a medicine ball to roll my ITBs, hips and VMOs (ow) as well as my back, which feels pretty stiff. Then headed into the free weights room and did my stepovers.

Squats:

Bar x 20
30kg x 20
40kg x 20 (+5)
45kg x 15 (+3)
50kg x 12 (+2)
55kg x 6
60kg x 4 (+1)
62.5kg x 1

I was pleased with the rep increases as I pushed myself, but my back was starting to feel it at 55kg. Even so I managed to eek out an extra rep at 60kg (I missed out 57.5kg this time…maybe that’s why). Just to qualify, this isn’t a low back “OMG I’ve blown a disc!” pain - more muscle soreness and fatigue. I have a lot of soreness in what I think is the QL and around the sides of my waist which is probably down to the stuff we did in circuits combined with a day of slouching at my PC playing games.

So, I went for the 62.5kg and got that, but then went for 65kg and bottled it. Since I wasn’t feeling brilliant anyway, I just wasn’t confident that my back could hack it. I think I’ll save one rep max efforts for days when I actually feel good. Still, I was pretty pleased with how the squats went.

Overhead squats: 3 x 5 (Bar only)

Wrists hurt like a bitch on this but I like that I can get deeper on these than back squats. I do wish the gym had a 15kg ladies’ bar so I could do more reps.

Leg Press:

80kg x 10
120kg x 10
160kg x 10

That was really all I did. Saying that, it still took about 90 minutes or so, plus stretching and a few handstands to finish.

I had expected to feel more lively by the time I’d done my workout but I felt exactly the same. Except not so cold. I was bloody freezing this morning even though it’s pretty mild. I hope it is just Flo and I’m not coming down with something. That I do not need!

382

I often find the days I’m fed/watered/rested are the days that I feel kind of meh.

Great job on extra squatting PR. You seem very smart about how much to push your body, I’m trying to get some of that to rub off.

Flo is a bitch, isn’t she? Not as bad as that dirty little slut, the common cold, but still a bitch.

383

I started feeling very cold again when I got home. Then I sneezed a few times. Yeah, it’s a virus. Low training motivation is always the first symptom with me and I should have picked up on that but the imminent arrival of Flo plus the dark mornings made me think it was something else. It also explains the achey back and neck. Buggeration.

I’ve taken some Rhodiola and squeezed a lemon into a glass of water and will take it easy. Which means I may not be able to train tomorrow as planned. I’d rather skip training than feel like ass for my long weekend away.

384

Cal: Nice squatting–lot’s of rep prs there. Hope you shake that cold quickly and are able to enjoy your long weekend.

385

I remember when you hurt too much to squat at all, so this is HUGE progress! Congrats and feel better soon.

386

I felt slightly better today although I decided not to push it by going to the gym. I want to be well for tomorrow. I did do a few assisted chins and some foam rolling though.

387

I am very impressed with how good you are with foam rolling everyday.
I must follow your example:)

388

Ah feel better & yeah rest up for your fun filled weekend. Aunt Flo sure knows how to pick her time. I’m trying to make peace with her every month, but sometimes she just comes at the wrong time. But yeah ya need to kick the cold to the curb.

389

Last post before I go away. As you might have imagined I did not go to the 6.30am circuit class. In fact, I didn’t wake up until 6.37 anyway. I feel a bit rougher today - more like I did on Tuesday, but at least there’s no snot. It’s the teachers’ curse - you get through the term and as soon as it’s holiday time you come down with something. My ARTist said pretty much every teacher she treats got sick at the beginning of the summer holidays. Bummer.

Anyway, I am going to have an awesome time regardless. It’s not a horrible cold so I’ll be OK. I may just need to stop for coffee a bit more often.

390

Have a great time regardless of a little virus-action.

391

happy travels!

392

Yup, getting to deal with so many people through the day does that. I think I may get a flu shot next year.

393

I was wondering where you went! Happy travels indeed!!

And nice work getting in that last squat session while obviously on the brink of a cold. Feel better! I hope you come back renewed and refreshed!

394

And I’m back. Five days of amusement parks, halloween scares, not much sleep, lots and lots and lots of sugary crap and fun fun fun. I’d shaken the cold by Friday, just in time for Flo to show up (yay) but it was pretty good. I ate a lot of shit, though.

Wasn’t in much of a mood to hit the gym this morning but I bullied myself into going.

Warm-up stuffs, then Squats…

Squats:

Bar x 20
30kg x 20
40kg x 20
45kg x 15
50kg x 11*

I was trying to equal the rep PRs I got last time but I was struggling a bit. I don’t know if it’s post-viral, post-weekend or just a combination of everything. When I was going for my 12th rep at 50kg I got dizzy and almost pitched forward but managed to rack the bar in time. So I called it there. Did some jumping on and off boxes (two risers, then three - I really am pathetic at jumping) and then some handstand practise. That was all I felt up to. I guess I’m tired. And I need a detox.

Tomorrow I have to take some of my girls to a swimming gala, despite being on holiday. I am not looking forward to hauling ass at 4.30am in order to get there on time. Yuck.

Will train on Friday and hope I feel a bit more up to it. At least I got some reps in, anyway.

395

Yay, Cal is back! I’d say its just a combination of stuff, your body is trying to get back on trac. You’ll get your mojo back soon enough.

396

So, after a 4.30am get-up (ugh) I took five pupils to the independant schools regional swimming finals. Our two best swimmers both finished third which was a reasonable result, but bloody hell, the other schools have some fantastic swimmers.

Now I can relax for the rest of the day and think about kicking my own arse in the gym tomorrow.

And ugh, my new Vibrams haven’t come yet because I’ve had to pay another 21 quid import duty. Bloody hell. I might as well have bought some here! What looks like a bargain on eBay turns out to be a lot more expensive once you pay for postage and import duty. Bleh. I am heading to California next June so if I have time to shop and find somewhere that sells them, I will try to pick up a pair or two.

397

Glad your back. Have a good session tomorrow.

398

Ugh, I am sick AGAIN. I don’t know if it’s the same virus I’d thought I’d beaten, or a new one I picked up yesterday. Either way, I woke up with a sore throat, feeling shitty. It’s so frustrating - I was hoping to put in some quality training over the half term break (especially as I feel I have some weight to lose since last weekend’s indulgences). I’m taking it easy today - rhodiola, lemon water and plenty of veggies and hot drinks. Hopefully I can do some training on the weekend.

399

Glad to see you back…sorry you got sick, blech. rest up.

400

ah man. that freakin sucks.

nice to know you had fun at the parks :slight_smile: