Yeah, I’m the same - the higher reps kill me.
I daresay Nadia’s gymnastics background has given her a lot of strength (not to mention mobility and excellent mind-muscle connection). I lack the mind-muscle connection because I’m dyspraxic and have to repeat stuff over until I get it. I still struggle with movements where I’m having to think a lot about cues.
I’m sorry you came up lame on your last run. Believe me, I’m sympathetic.
There is a real danger that comes with changing up the exercise routine, namely screwing up the delicate balance that makes all the body parts work normally. But yet, it HAS to change for progress to be made! Oh, the Catch-22.
if i hadn’t heard it was so it would never have occurred to me that some people prefer higher reps. I physically and psychologically struggle with anything over 3 :-/
Think I’m dyspraxic too, Cal. Takes me a very long time indeed to learn a new movement / exercise pattern.
oh yes! the rep people DO exist! I think maybe Nadia, like me has a bit of cardio queen in her that shines forth in all areas of training–also she’s got that fantastic gymnastics background that is amazing!
i equate high reps to the endorphine high of cardio times 85,000. it just feels …sigh…fantastic.
but I am injured now …probably because of many things including getting sloppy for the chasing more and more reps…
With the big moves like squats and deadlifts, my form breaks down the more reps I do, so for the safety of my back and other parts, I prefer to stick to lower rep schemes. I used to push myself more when I was younger but now I’m old and busted, I just can’t afford to take that risk.
Veggie: Ahh chocolate–it is good to have it back. I will never forsake it again.
Cbear: Treat me like a cherry.
Alexus: Interesting observation about the vertical push/pull. It’s not even close for me. I’m a puller. And no, Henry didn’t complain about his stomach. No complaints at all.
Thanks masch.
Print: A title–“Pulling Princess”–I like that! Thanks.
Snap: I do like pulling for reps and going for rep prs. 5-3-1 was written for me.
Cal: I’m not sure what advantage my gymnastics background gives me. Some, I’m sure. But, I’m not strong because I was a gymnast. That was many, many years ago. I’m strong because of 5-3-1. And it was getting strong via 5-3-1 that got me back into gymnastics.
Kimba: It’s true. Rewards require risks. Injury really is part of the game.
Alexus: I’m a slow learner too. It takes me a lot of repetitions to get something down. But, I know that the skill will come in time. It’s just a matter of persevering.
Brute: I’m a proud cardio queen. I have many more years invested in long distance running than any other athletic endeavor. I’m familiar with the temptation to grind out reps, I try hard to keep the risks in mind and shut it down when my form starts to break down. I’m getting better at that I think. It makes me sad that you are still not at 100%. Your lifting is really inspirational to me. Get Better!
Cal: You too-- I wish I could lay hands on you and heal your every ache and pain. But, you manage quite well nevertheless. And your willingness to take on new challenges and learn new skills is very, very cool.
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Training
I managed to get through a pain free 3 mile run and a gymnastics workout yesterday with out making my hip/groin cry. In fact, I had a damn good gymnastics session. I was very flattered when a new guy there asked me if I was a dancer. I was spending some time working on my leaps and jumps. Perhaps my flexibility is improving and my extension didn’t completely suck? I’m going with that.
I’m taking today off. Tomorrow is MP day and pullups. Pullups cause me anxiety–it’s sets of 8 tomorrow. I’m hoping I can get at least 5 sets. Ughh.
[quote]Nadia Comeandeat wrote:
I was very flattered when a new guy there asked me if I was a dancer. I was spending some time working on my leaps and jumps. Perhaps my flexibility is improving and my extension didn’t completely suck? I’m going with that.
[/quote]
My understanding of man-speak is as follows:
Man says, “Are you a dancer?”
Man means, “I would really like to fuck you.”
Although, I’m sure your flexibility and extension were truly lovely. 
[quote]kimbakimba wrote:
My understanding of man-speak is as follows:
Man says, “Are you a dancer?”
Man means, “I would really like to fuck you.”
Although, I’m sure your flexibility and extension were truly lovely. :)[/quote]
But of course. That’s the translation for everything.
Man says, “Wow, that’s a really deep squat.”
Man means, “I would really like a deep fuck.”
Man says, “Do you know what time it is?”
Man means, “Can we fuck now?”
I used to argue this case with my husband. But I’ve stopped. My husband’s standard retort whenever I mention a man initiated conversation with me is to say “Ahh, he just wants to get in your pants.”
So nice to hear that your hip is feeling better. Notice that on any given day, at least half of us are busted? Pushing the limits has consequences I guess. What is truly inspirational is that everyone keeps motoring on…
I got vertical / horizontal round the wrong way in my post (my weird brand of dyslexia strikes again) - but glad you got what i meant. Congrats on your pain free run. That dude wanted to fuck you x2.
You’re welcome. Apropos & well earned.
Glad to hear about your pain-free activities yesterday.
That is flattering indeed. I’ll need to lose some boobs, be a lot thinner, preferably taller and/or be talking to an intoxicated guy to get that comment 
[quote]Cal Jones wrote:
Yeah, I’m the same - the higher reps kill me.
I daresay Nadia’s gymnastics background has given her a lot of strength (not to mention mobility and excellent mind-muscle connection). I lack the mind-muscle connection because I’m dyspraxic and have to repeat stuff over until I get it. I still struggle with movements where I’m having to think a lot about cues.[/quote]
The mind muscle thing is a real problem for me. My brain doesn’t know I have lats.
Nadia - your work is impressive. Hey, and another 40 something chick over here - proving that we’ve still got it, or in my case can still hope to get it, or at least has delusions about getting it. Whoohoo! A confession, I have yet to try BBB rows. I use the cable row with ab straps or DBs.
Heh, my brain doesn’t know where my extremities are, half the time. I’ve banged my hands and scraped my watch knocking against things (heavy things, like the metal chairs outside Starbucks, or brick walls) because I failed to estimate how wide I was.
Doing any kind of gymnastics is difficult because I can’t judge distances well and the place I go to train it has a lower floor section down the middle of the room (only an inch or two lower), so I get freaked out if I have go across it during a moment as my brain goes into a complete spaz. I hate going down steps too.
Nadia - so glad you got in a pain free workout. I hope that hip flexor continues to behave! As for the way you move, you are very graceful so the dancer question was obvious. I asked a girl at my gymnastics class the same thing, because she had such poise and control over herself. Turns out, actually yes, she had been a ballet dancer. So it’s not always about the sex.
KImba and Ksnap: Man speak—huh? Nope I’m not buying it. Sometimes a compliment or a question is just that–even when coming from a man. My other interpretation was–“Her gymnastics isn’t very good, she must have been a dancer”–decidedly less complimentary I’m afraid.
Veggie: Yes setbacks are part of the game. They’re frustrating as hell though aren’t they?
Thanks print.
Nikkie: I was feeling a little bit stout like a fire plug that day–so the comment was most complimentary on a number of levels.
alexus: Is it wrong that I would rather be mistaken for a dancer than perceived as fuckable?
Powerpuff: Thanks. I think I put myself in the trying to get it back category. The journey is fun though. Hmm I guess I’ve never really thought about the mind muscle connection. But that would make sense. It could be that I can do pullups because my gymnastics background created a strong mind muscle connection w/ my lats. I don’t know. But, I’m certain you’ll find your lats soon!
Thanks Cal. I’m holding onto the graceful interpretation. Gosh you are dyspraxic! Now I’m even more impressed with your gymnastics progression.
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Training 5-3-1 Military
Because I like to major in minors, I did my pullups first.
10x8 pullups. Lots of rest btw sets. Some form breaks during the last few sets. But still I’m really happy with this.
MP
57.5x5
65x3
72.5x4 (default pr)
BBB 45x10x5
I was completely fatigued by the time I finished this workout. But, I wanted to get in a run today. So, I set out to do that. I felt off and didn’t want to risk a road side breakdown. So, I bagged the run. Really, I was probably just mentally fatigued and quit on it. Sometimes it’s really hard to know when to push and when not too.
Of course, having played it safe on my run, I then managed to fall hard on my right knee after my left foot slipped way out in front of me ( my hurt hip flexor/ groin leg) on a string of beads my daughter left on the floor. I can’t tell if I’m hurt yet. I’m icing now. Irony.
Irony is right. Ouch. I’m crossing my fingers for Not Hurt.
Nice pressing! I’m going try to some BBB MPs with the light oly bar tonight and see how it goes.
Argh, how infuriating! I hope everything is OK.
I know exactly what you mean about knowing when to push or not. Half the time I don’t know whether to take myself seriously - do I need the rest or am I just being lazy? If you actually are struggling, physically, then it’s best to rest.
Oh yes, I’m hoping for ‘Not Hurt’ too.
Is it wrong that I would rather be mistaken for a dancer than perceived as fuckable?
No. I think I have the same preference. Not that anyone would ever mistake me for a dancer lol. They aren’t mutually exclusive, though
I dunno what he was thinking…
But I do think he was intending to compliment you rather than offer a covert insult about your gymnastics.
That’s fantastic pressing & pulling.
Not sure you’ve tried this, but since you said lots of rest between the p-ups. How about supersetting them w/your BBB. Press, rest for a min. Pulls, rest for a min. Press, etc etc etc… & if you feel the need to take longer rests between sets, do it.
Hope the Road-Runner didn’t hurt Wiley to bad.
Man, I hope your knee is alright. And your groin and hip, too.
I am a firm believer in the “listen to your body” method for determining volume, intensity, need for rest, need for food, etc. If you feel like you shouldn’t do something, don’t. The problem w/this approach is peeling through the layers of emotional and intellectual needs and wants and sorting out what’s real.
Sorry for getting all philosophical. Sometimes I can’t help it.