[quote]Cal Jones wrote:
(which is in Covent Garden where my dad used to sing in the opera and my mum made costumes)[/quote]
you get more interesting every time i check in.
i have nothing worthwhile to add to this part of the conversation. carry on.
good news about your run time!!
I actually had DOMS from the damn circuit class yesterday but at least my sciatica was improved (it was pretty wretched yesterday, following the 10K, and then the circuits) so I wasn’t wiggling around in my chair as much.
Today we covered bones, muscles and stretching. It’s at a fairly low level for this course - the advanced course goes into a lot more anatomical detail. I should be able to pass this one without too much trouble.
I spent a little time in the gym at lunchtime - I tried the Powerplate which seemed more of a gimmick than anything. It’s basically just a big vibrator. Better for relaxation than getting a meaninful workout, methinks. Nice for my stiff muscles though.
Then I went into the free weights area (which was chaotic and strange compared to my usual gym) and did some push presses for a change (up to 40kg/88lbs), some clean and press (light, just 25kg) and dumbell snatches, plus a bit of lower back work. As I said, still tired and store, so really I should have been resting, but the lure of trying a different gym proved quite strong.
Tomorrow we’re doing energy systems and cardio (groan) which means we’ll likely have to do some kind of cardio workshop thing.
So today I squeezed in another short workout during the lunch break. I did some leg machines (basically cos I have to know the machines that are part of my assessment) - extension, curl, good girl/bad girl…then I saw they had some fixed bars in the free weights gym and I did some overheard squats with the 10 and 15kg bars. First time I’ve done any kind of weighted squatting movement since, hmm, last winter I think. It felt OK. Main thing was the stress on my wrists. That’s going to be the hardest thing to overcome.
They also have a trap bar. Wasn’t sure what to do with it - deadlifts I guess? I couldn’t see another use for it, so I’d be interested to know if there is one.
We had to teach each other a mobility and short cardio warm-up (on machines - I picked the C2 rower). I felt fairly confident doing that, which is good.
I have homework tonight, though…I have to devise a full warm-up. Hrmm hmm.
Nearly at the end of the first week now. We did our teaching a warm-up thing today - I think I did OK at it. Then some free weights practical (how to teach it, so light little bars and stuff). Finally. I had to grit my teeth when told to teach the upright row (quite possibly the worst thing you can do to your shoulders aside from going through them with a chainsaw, IMHO) and also the stuff about not bending your knees beyond 90 degrees…but for the sake of an exam, I’ll suck it up. At least I can do the lifts correctly, unlike about two thirds of the people there.
I am going away for the weekend straight from the course, so won’t be posting again for a few days. Next week will be lots of revision plus a visit to my parents for three days (ugh) then back on the course again the week after. We’re doing the written exam on the Friday…it’s all multiple choice though so it should be easy enough to pass.
damn you’ve been busy woman. enjoy your weekend!
At least the class sounds mildly interesting even with the 90 degree thing. Hope you have a blast this weekend.
Weekend was fun - weather not as nice as hoped, but at least it didn’t piss down. Rode some coasters, ate a lot of crap food and felt terrible for it, and arrived home yesterday evening.
My left rotator cuff has been cranky (I guess it’s doing unfamiliar moves as part of the training course) but feels slightly more settled today. Still, I didn’t want to risk the gym so did a three mile run with intervals (so fast, jog, fast, jog, for that distance). Felt quite good. Ankles behaved. Slight pain in hamstring but nothing new there, thanks to the damn sciatica.
Visiting parents tomorrow - will try and squeeze a workout in before I leave. I’ll be back Thursday evening.
[quote]Mascherano wrote:
Oh yeah, I’m definitely going to go with the glycogen on the +2 lbs! In fact, I’m not surprised that the chins and pullups seemed harder too for the same reason. You’re muscles are full and you’re heavier, which is technically good! Just not for attempting to pull your body over a bar - hahah!
I’ve actually been trying to pay close attention to this since I’m a fan of the carb up. So now I try not to carb up on upper body day and just stick to carbing up when I DL and squat. I don’t even like carbing up for running anymore - makes me feel like my legs are heavy. Interesting! I think you’re info corroborates with mine…
But you did lots of good stuff in there - hit and miss is great IMO! You can’t get everything every time.[/quote]
Catching up on your log and was interested to read frustration with chins and Masch’s response. Had a bad day for chins yesterday…I was actually up +2 lbs. too after a weekend of, uh, carb loading (beer, ice cream, smoothy). I was desperately looking for another reason as to why my reps were low (that time of the month, still recovering from trip to London) but I guess I have to accept that indulgence has its consequences especially for those of us 40+. 
Also just catching up…
That class sounds seriously awesome! You’re learning tons AND you get to do the workouts too, that’s pretty cool. I would love to have you as a trainer - I’m sure your accent would make even the most tedious exercise bearable, if not pleasurable.
Good work on the interval running! I love that too.
Have fun with the rents!
Take care of that shoulder. Although I know you are very smart about your training. Maybe our bum shoulders could be friends?
Catching up with you. That course sounds like actual fun. Except for the teeth gritting part, but you knew there had to be some of that. Hope the parental visit wasn’t too bad. I did some mom-sitting this past weekend myself, so I know how it is.
Snaps - sure, maybe they can be pen pals? Actually my shoulders are like my ankles. Both sides are knackered, but the right has been injured longer and more severely than the left. Currently it’s the left shoulder and left ankle that are causing me problems. I’ll just need to be careful with 'em.
Kimba - parents are very frail now and can hardly get around. Continence seems to be an issue for my mother, which is not good news. However, they do have a nurse to come and visit twice daily to get her up and then put her to bed, which gives me some peace of mind. I don’t know how long they can continue to live in their own house, however. Despite having a cleaner three times a week, the place is still a mess thanks to constant spills and their inability to do much around the house. I often find rotten food in the fridge where dad’s bought too much and hasn’t eaten it, and dishes that have been put away dirty. Sigh
It’s such a difficult transition to make having one’s parents go from being strong independent individuals to vulnerable, needy creatures. Hang in there, Cal.
Aging isn’t for pussies is it? I wish this was easier for you.
Didn’t exercise much last week, what with the weekend in Skegness and the visit to the parents. I did a short gym workout on the morning before I went to Poole (where they live) but had little energy and it turned into a short workout of kettlebell swings and not much else.
Went for a walk on the Wednesday and tried running on the Thursday (there’s a park with some exercise apparatus near my folks) but again seemed to run out of gas. I was starting to worry a bit. I’ll admit I have been indulging the food monster and I’ve only just managed to get it back on the leash, so I know I’ve gained some weight, which is not good.
Still, I redeemed myself somewhat today - 9.5 mile run in 1 hr 43 minutes. Ham/butt discomfort started at around the 5 mile mark and then got steadily more noticeable. By the time I’d got to the third of the three commons I cover, it was getting painful to propel myself up the small inclines. I know what the problem is: I have piriformis syndrome and when that muscle gets tight it squeezes on my sciatic nerve. It is, quite literally, a pain in the arse.
However, I felt less fatigue than I did last time I did this run, and was even able to pick up the pace a bit towards the end. My energy levels seem good and I from a CV point of view, I seem to be able to maintain that level of exercise almost indefinitely. Unfortunatley, the muscles cannot, so I need to figure out how I can stop them from tying up.
Back on the course tomorrow. I was able to do a bit of revision while I was away but I haven’t yet drawn up an exercise plan for my assessment.
[quote]Cal Jones wrote:
When I got there I thought I was looking at a shitty workout, then I told myself not to be such a fucking pussy and lose the defeatist attitude.
[/quote]
Love it.
That sounds like a pretty great course you’re doing, despite some of the “common sense” bull they’re teaching. It’s great to hear that you’re going into training, I have a feeling you’re going to be great at it. You’re already so knowledgeable, I’m sure you’ll find lots of clients who appreciate that!
Oh, and way to go staying on track with your 10K goal!
I’ve been busy with the course this week and haven’t done any formal training per se, but due to the classes and instruction I’ve ended up pretty sore anyway. Wednesday we had some sort of ghastly body pump-type class which gave me horrific DOMS, then Thursday we were encouraged to experiment with different rep and set systems so I ended up having to find my 10 rep max on the leg press and 6 rep max on the military press (32.5kg, if you’re interested), plus supersetting and so on… then yesterday we had a spin class (ugh, how can anyone find bike seats comfortable?) so I’m having a rest today.
The course is officially finished now. We did the theory paper yesterday morning, and I’m 100% sure I’ve aced that (it was multiple choice, so it’s pretty hard to fail) and the practical is in a month. I’m more worried about that since you have to remember a lot of stuff like pointing out fire exits and water fountains to your client, not stepping over barbells (automatic fail!) and just remembering to give constant teaching points and encouragement. Gah. I’m sure it’ll be fine though.
If I get through that, I’ll need to decide whether to do the advanced course. I probably will, at this point, but it’s another £800 (ouch).
Congrats on completing the training course! From your posts you clearly know what you’re talking about, so I don’t doubt for a second that you aced the exam.
9.5 mile run is insanity btw. Great work! That’s basically a half marathon! I always wondered on what mile I might “hit the wall” and just say fuck it…Not sure I’m ready to find out tho. lol!
HA! I love that the training course leaves you with DOMs. That body pump sounds fun! Sounds like something right up my alley.
What are they going to teach you in the advanced class?
Today: 9.5 mile run, 1 hr 40 mins. (That’s three mins faster than last week). My foot got very uncomfortable at around the 6.5 mile mark but I ran through it. Hamstring also played up (sciatica). These niggles are clearly going to be a limiting factor in how far I can run.
Masch - it’s getting there but that’s another three and a half miles. I have the energy but the damn sciatica will make it difficult.
As for the advanced course, there’s a lot more detail. In this course we only have to know basic anatomy - the major bones and muscles, energy systems and the like. Thanks to 20 years of training and just as many injuries, my knowledge of anatomy goes a lot deeper, heh. The practical side is also more detailed so covers things like periodisation, different training methods and so on.
I’ll be starting back into my regular training again tomorrow - rather looking forward to it.