Kimba: I have form problems for sure. YOu are not alone in your struggle. I admire you for attacking and focusing on form. I really haven’t done that. It’s too hard. Too boring. And I figure I’m not going to be able to teach myself to squat correctly so why bother. If I get serious about this, I’ll find someone to help me. I need hands on manipulation. If someone can force my body through the movement, I’m much more likely to learn it than if I try to think my way through it.
Masch: I have to give you credit. It was reading your log that inspired me to really get back on the pullup wagon. As you know, getting through 10 sets is grueling. Knowing that you were going after them too helped me.
Cal: My gym is not heated. But, not cold like native is dealing with. I live in a relatively temperate climate so it rarely gets below freezing–think high 30s to low 40s cold.
Nikki: I don’t think I can explain how damn happy I was with those pullups. It felt great.
Thank you Frenchie, Alexus and Coyote!
Arachne and Cbear: It’s too cold for half dressedness. I’ll strip down in the summer.
Hi print, thanks for lurking and for posting. Your avatar always makes me smile.
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Training
Did gymmastics y’day. I could tell I haven’t been in awhile. I’m not making any progress. And I pissed off my hip flexor. Assuming my hip flexor allows, I really got push the basics (on a daily basis) and some flexibility training. Full extension makes everything look better.
So, I’ll be adding handstands x10, front and back walkovers (for back and shoulder flexibility) x5 x everyday.
For a variety of reasons, I don’t really want to post this, but I’m holding myself accountable. Here’s where I’m at with those skills. Will post a new video in 8 weeks (think tax time) to see if I’ve improved in flexibility and control.
Oh. Thanks so much for posting your gymnastics vid. I loved it. Made me just want to go outside and do walkovers too. I spent a great deal of my childhood in a gym. Wish I had a place w/mats to practice. I might have to figure out a way to add that into my training. It would be like being 6 yo all over again.
I’ve not the first bit of knowledge when it comes to gymnastics. Unless you count ‘mad love’ for MaryLou. But I will say this bout that vid, good, bad, or indifferent, you are graceful. & a bit mesmerizing too.
Damnit, Nadia - my attempts at handstands are like a car crash by comparison! Lack of thoracic extension doesn’t help. You make it all look so easy. Smokin’ arms as well.
I love untrained eyes. No, I mean thank you. You guys are very kind. And I very much appreciate all of the nice comments made about my little handstand and walkover video.
Gymnastics is really tough for me right now. And really tough on my body. After one gymnastics session (where I did very very little), I’ve gone from feeling absolutely awesome on Tuesday to completely beat to shit today. My hip flexor is still really cranky. And I literally limped through my day yesterday. I suspect sitting for the bulk of the day did not help me. It took a very long time last night to loosen up. But I did. And I did my handstands and my walkovers.
I’ll say I’m feeling better today. No limping. Got through my handstands and my walkovers again. Then I went running. I had discomfort through the first mile and then stopped at 3. I’m considering scratching from my half this weekend and dropping down to the 5k. I don’t really want to do that. But, I also don’t really want to hurt myself. And it makes little sense to start a race that I’m not sure I can finish. I need to decide tomorrow before I pick up my number. I’ll go for another run in the morning, see how I feel, and then make my decision.
I’ve never scratched from a race before, and I’ve never not finished one I’ve started. Ahh what to do.
Sorry about your hip flexor. I had issues with mine after we were doing straddle stuff, and I’d followed that with some rather too vigorous mobility work.
I hope the problem clears up - good luck with your half if you decide to go ahead with it. I’m sure some good eats and rest will help.
i have a friend who can hardly bear to play the violin now. he used to practice a LOT and now he says his fingers simply won’t move in ways that his ear finds pleasing. I think the same thing goes for some of the retired oly lifters in my gym. They say you lose the movement pretty quick if you don’t keep up your practice and then it is simply too frustrating even to try. I think that is what you mean? (Sorry if I’ve missed the point).
Good on you for doing it even though it is humbling for you. Of course it looks wonderful to me - but I know nothing about gymnastics. All I know is my femur would probably pop right out of its socket if I tried that. Oh, and my back would have snapped too, of course.
Cal: Yeah, those straddle positions are what did it to me too, I think. This is my second go around with this hip flexor. It’ll be fine. It’s just frustrating. I feel like I’m playing a game of jenga with my body. Add one more activity with too much haste or vigor and kaboom. My body crashes. Mother fucking hell.
Alexus: Yes that is exactly it. I couldn’t say it in a way that didn’t sound like I was whiney. And seriously after my gymnastics efforts on Wed, I thought a lot about just giving it up. I’m glad I’m not alone in that tendency. But, I’m not going to do that. Instead, I’m giving up the more difficult skills and going back to the basics and focusing on those. I’m hopeful that with consistent effort I’m going to feel that feeling I’m longing to feel again.
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Training: I shuffled through a 3 mile run this am moving about as briskly as an old lady pushing a walker with a wire basket full of cat food. My hip flexor hurt and it was icy. Not a good combo. I’m dropping down to the 5k. Uggh. I hate that distance. But I want to squat next week. And out here in the great NW, the birth place of Nike and the land where Steve Prefontaine is a legend—road races are a dime a dozen. And this just isn’t my weekend.
I can relate to the jenga. My body is a cornucopia of dysfunctional bodyparts - I can’t remember the last time I was pain free - it must have been back in my teens, I guess. And of course, once you start having birthdays that begin with a 4, those niggles get louder and more frequent. Having had a shitty day’s training myself, I share your frustration, but we just have to suck it up and keep moving forward.
I still say you look wonderful and elegant doing your handstands and walkovers. I wish I could move with such effortless grace. I guess the only way is to practise practise practise, right?
Sorry to hear about the half, but it’s a smart move if your body isn’t working properly. Still, why run the 5K if you don’t enjoy it?
Meh. You gotta know when to hold em, know when to fold em. We all have off days. But i’m positive you’ll find your stride (pun not intended). And I don’t doubt for a second that if you did decide to give it all up, you’d be back in some point or another.
As for the race, smart move! I wouldn’t chance my hammie in the cold either. We have to pick and choose our battles, and based on your priorities I think you done won that one.
Anyways, I hope its nice and sunny tomorrow and you can enjoy the race! Get your vit D on
[quote]Nadia Comeandeat wrote:
It’s just frustrating. I feel like I’m playing a game of jenga with my body. Add one more activity with too much haste or vigor and kaboom. My body crashes. Mother fucking hell. [/quote]
A resounding HELLS TO THE YEAH for this, as I sit here icing my knee. But did I just go out and buy my first pair of running tights? Why, yes I did.
We will NOT be kept down by niggardly injuries. No siree, bob.
Run a nice strong 5K. Hit the half next month, maybe. You know you can do that distance, but picking a smart time to do it is where its at right now.
Training: I shuffled through a 3 mile run this am moving about as briskly as an old lady pushing a walker with a wire basket full of cat food. [/quote]
Lol so specific.
Sorry about your dilemma. I’ll wait here patiently to see what you decide.
