Hey Kris! I do see what you and Nikki are saying, I think I’m just having a hard time relaying what it’s like there. I won’t go into it much more, but some “typical” things are hard to come by. But I will keep my creative eyes peeled! And going in with a better plan will help (vs last time when I didn’t create one before I left). I do have bands from the last time I went, I just didn’t use them that much. The last trip was crazy in a number of ways, and I did virtually no lifting while I was there. This time will be different. And as long as the internet functions, you all will be hearing about it!
Haha, yeah, those pallofs are a challenge. I hold them for about 6-8 seconds, so it depends on how long you’re holding them for! Weakling? Never.
[quote]Kristoph wrote:
I want a picture of your super spartan conditions. I’m not doubting you in the least, just want to see what you have to work with/your environment.
So when you say 60x8, that’s 8 seconds, or 8 reps of 6-8 second holds?
They’re a weakness of mine (curls). Shh. :)[/quote]
haha, no worries. My ability to load pictures while I was there last time was pretty much nonexistent (internet doesn’t function so well), but I have a couple pictures of the room I was in last time. The room had a bed, a desk, a chair, and a sitting chair, not a whole lot of room between them. The chairs weren’t the same size/style, but I might be able to figure something out. I’ll post one or two when I get home. I should note that I’m grateful that I don’t have to stay in some little hut or shanty.
Push-ups (1 leg) - 30
CL(cluster) WG lat pulldown 110x6 120x6 120x6 120x6
SL sit-up 25x10 25x12 25x10 (shame on me, should’ve picked up the 35#)
UH BB row 80x5 80x8 80x8
Rack pulls 135x5 185x3 (switch to straps) 185x6 205x3(pause 10 sec),3 185x5
Capt chair 20 20 15
Dec DB pullovers 35x10 40x10 40x10
Wrist curls 40x43
Nothing too exciting here. Quads aren’t as bad as I thought they’d be today, but we’ll see how the leg sesh goes tomorrow. My gym close-talker came over for a chat today. About 4" from my face. He seemed to have a hard time coming up with something to say, and then while we were talking, he kept looking in the mirror… it was rather bizarre. He’s talked about his sons twice now, so I’m hoping he’s not hitting on me. Not much else to speak of for today. I was contemplating sprinting again since I probably won’t want to tomorrow night after legs in the morning, but I spent an hour and a half at CVS waiting for my prescription that was “ready”! I haven’t eaten yet. :-/ Best get on that. Not gonna lie, kind of excited to try my new ‘raspberry smoothie’ casein. Got in another protein shipment to take with me to Africa.
[quote]Lanels wrote:
This was the view from my hotel room. It’s actually illegal to take pictures in most public places, so not really a good shot.[/quote]
[quote]Lanels wrote:
This was the view from my hotel room. It’s actually illegal to take pictures in most public places, so not really a good shot.[/quote]
Aw man, you’ve got everything you need, assuming you have the same setup. There’s like twenty-seven chairs in there, and two of them look like they’re the same height and sturdy enough to hold you. Burpees and stuff might be a little tight on space, but maybe not. You’re pretty short if memory serves, which it sometimes does.
/ramble
The gym is a weird place sometimes. Two guys last night had a protracted conversation about their abs, comparatively. There was a guy tonight who kept following me and my clients around the gym, always doing something RIGHT next to us but never saying a word (excuse me, okay if I lift here, etc.). Some dude I’m pretty sure I’ve never met outside the gym who talks to me like I’m his long lost buddy- asks about my parents(?).
Then there’s also the increasingly less overweight nurse who comes in and puts her heart into it every time, and the old couple who are always doing exercises together and clearly in love with each other/happy to be doing things together, and the actually strong guy who (miracle of miracles) cleans his weights up when he’s done. So it’s not all bad I guess.
Lol. Two chairs, not the same height/style, but I like your creative eye. And I would like to state for the record that 5’4" is the AVERAGE HEIGHT of the American woman. I will not be called short in my own log. But yes, I have just enough space to do some floor exercises. I’ll be at the same hotel, but I heard they just finished a new wing, so who knows, maybe the next room will be better and have two matching(!) chairs. I guess I just get… i dunno, antsy?..thinking about living in that room for 5 weeks.
Very weird about those guys. I hate that so many people lack gym etiquette. Unfortunately at my gym, sometimes the trainers are the worst. At least you can look at the positive side, too. So how are your parents?
haha, Nikki. Sometimes you have to sacrifice to make progress! I won’t be able to run another lactic acid program for at least 4 months anyway.
Feeling productive today! Got up early and rather than hitting the gym first, I ran some pre-trip errands. Then went to the gym knowing it would be less crowded around lunchtime. I know I don’t normally write in my Saturday workouts, but since I randomly hit a PR, I might as well.
Saturday
Front squat 45x10 95x5 (oops, bad grip) 95x10 95x10 95x10
Inverted row (alternating supinated/pronated) 8 10 7 8
Dip 12 8 8 (guess I have to build back up… sigh)
Chin (1 neutral grip) 2 2 2
Leg press (this is where things get a little crazy) 90x10 180x10 270x10 360x5 450x5 540x5 630x5 720x5 790x5 840x8 850x5 (PR) 180x30
Calf raises (on the leg press) 90x10 180x15 270x20 360x15
High cable curl 35x10 35x12 40x10 40x10
Hanging knee raise 7 11 9 8
Frogkicks 50 50 50 50
Skullcrusher 30x12 30x12 30x12
Y-can raise 12.5x15 12.5x12 12.5x12
Empty can raise 12.5x15 12.5x12 12.5x8
Hammer curl 12.5x50 12.5x50 12.5x50
Strict curl 40x10 40x8 40x6 40x6
Wrist curl 40x30 40x20 40x20
Rev wrist curl 40x25 40x20 40x20
I know, totally random workout. That’s how my Saturdays go. I just do whatever I feel like doing. It’s kinda nice. I don’t go in on Saturdays looking for PRs, but I was in the leg press mood. The first three sets were testing things out, since I haven’t pressed in ages. Then I realized I was feeling good (no back pain), so I started ramping up. At 840, I figured it was my last set, so I threw in a few extra reps. But then I realized I was still feeling good so I might as well hit a PR. I’m so excited to have made it past 600 without my back hurting. Maybe I’ll hit 1,000 one day after all!
It’s such a miserable day out. Luckily I have plenty of things to do to get ready for my trip. Today would also be a good time to work on my Kinshasa routine…
I won’t go into it much more, but some “typical” things are hard to come by. But I will keep my creative eyes peeled! And going in with a better plan will help (vs last time when I didn’t create one before I left). I do have bands from the last time I went, I just didn’t use them that much. The last trip was crazy in a number of ways, and I did virtually no lifting while I was there. This time will be different. And as long as the internet functions, you all will be hearing about it! 
