Last week was a good week in that I managed to get to the Y six days. Okay, the quality of all the workouts might not have been at the A level but the first goal was getting back to being present. It felt good to finally be back in the gym. When it came to pushups I stopped at 50 instead of pushing on to the 100 and this week I have to focus on adding a bit more intensity. In addition to the Y, I did get six days of good walks -- most of them four miles.
Finished Genghis Khan and as I think I mentioned, it was a bit of an inspiration because the great Khan was in his late 50s when he began his domination of much of the known world in the late 1100s and early 1200s.
And, began this week with a good walk on Sunday, no Y, and a good four-mile walk this morning. Reading a Ken Blanchard book on leadership as I move through the miles.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
First Question -- You still walking, still lifting
When people know you exercise they are curious to see if you are still an exerciser. At a minimum exercise for people over 60 is a conversation starter. Happened again this noon, at lunch of all places. And, happily, today's answer is Yes.
This morning was another good morning walk. I probably should be increasing the pressure of these early morning walks to cut down on time and increase heart rate but it was still a good four miles. The other good thing was that finally, after weeks of not darkening the Y door, I was there and put up some weight. Not enough but now that I have taken so much time off it will be a little slow building back up.
So I can keep track, Monday night 7-21 was dumb bell benches with leg extensions using forty pound dumb bells for four sets of 12 each and 45 pounders for one set of 12. Then I did the chest fly with 35 pounders -- one set of 12. Shoulders were using 20lb dumb bells with shoulder raises. First set were simultaneous. second set was alternating, third was simultaneous and four set was alternating. Then, used sitting dumb bell of 25 pounds for shoulder press. Tried that standing and could barely budge it. Back was on the machine using the 140 resistance for four sets of 12 and one set of 155 and then the rower lift where I pulled the 250 stack but only for 10 reps and one set used a 15 pounder to start the tricept and did both arms for one set of 12. Then moved over to the machine and went 70 for 12, 80 for 12, 90 for 12 and 100 for seven. Biceps were 25 pound dumb bell sitting curls for one set of 12 then standing small bar with 50lbs, then one more set of sitting curls and three more of the barbell curls. Put the lever at 140 on the pull up machine and did one set of 13.
understand that if someone else is reading this that is way too much info but it will help me keep up with me.
And, again, the answer to the question is yes, still walking and again lifting.
This morning was another good morning walk. I probably should be increasing the pressure of these early morning walks to cut down on time and increase heart rate but it was still a good four miles. The other good thing was that finally, after weeks of not darkening the Y door, I was there and put up some weight. Not enough but now that I have taken so much time off it will be a little slow building back up.
So I can keep track, Monday night 7-21 was dumb bell benches with leg extensions using forty pound dumb bells for four sets of 12 each and 45 pounders for one set of 12. Then I did the chest fly with 35 pounders -- one set of 12. Shoulders were using 20lb dumb bells with shoulder raises. First set were simultaneous. second set was alternating, third was simultaneous and four set was alternating. Then, used sitting dumb bell of 25 pounds for shoulder press. Tried that standing and could barely budge it. Back was on the machine using the 140 resistance for four sets of 12 and one set of 155 and then the rower lift where I pulled the 250 stack but only for 10 reps and one set used a 15 pounder to start the tricept and did both arms for one set of 12. Then moved over to the machine and went 70 for 12, 80 for 12, 90 for 12 and 100 for seven. Biceps were 25 pound dumb bell sitting curls for one set of 12 then standing small bar with 50lbs, then one more set of sitting curls and three more of the barbell curls. Put the lever at 140 on the pull up machine and did one set of 13.
understand that if someone else is reading this that is way too much info but it will help me keep up with me.
And, again, the answer to the question is yes, still walking and again lifting.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Morning is great time to walk
The other day I purchased a new Creative Muvo because I have been missing reading by ear while exercising. My Ipod Nano had been ripped off and the other devices I have tried just were not doing well with Audible books. Listening to a Harold Lamb book called Ghengis Khan; a time in history I know absolutely nothing about.
So, what does that have to do with morning being a great time to walk? Well, this morning was beautiful in a July pre-dawn way. At 5:37 it was still dawning yet the way was brightly lit by a moon that appeared to have no desire to surrender its role to the sun. Birds were excited about this Monday morning, a much better attitude sounding from their tree perches than I would imagine coming from those getting ready to turn off their morning alarms. Air was already a little leaden with heat that did not dissipate from the day before and anticipating what might be to come. But, it was also not oppressive and helped add a little sweat so that the 15-minute-mile pace felt like it might be doing some good. Ghengis Khan coming from the earpod assured that even if the heart wasn't pumping as fast as it should, there was something accomplished in this first hour of the day.
And, the days are getting shorter. Dawn appeared to really break about 5:55 and that means summer is moving toward fall.
So, what does that have to do with morning being a great time to walk? Well, this morning was beautiful in a July pre-dawn way. At 5:37 it was still dawning yet the way was brightly lit by a moon that appeared to have no desire to surrender its role to the sun. Birds were excited about this Monday morning, a much better attitude sounding from their tree perches than I would imagine coming from those getting ready to turn off their morning alarms. Air was already a little leaden with heat that did not dissipate from the day before and anticipating what might be to come. But, it was also not oppressive and helped add a little sweat so that the 15-minute-mile pace felt like it might be doing some good. Ghengis Khan coming from the earpod assured that even if the heart wasn't pumping as fast as it should, there was something accomplished in this first hour of the day.
And, the days are getting shorter. Dawn appeared to really break about 5:55 and that means summer is moving toward fall.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Motivation still not kicking in
Great news from Rome, New York. LeRyiah and Russ welcomed Ruby into the world at 11:55 p.m. last night. My brother Mark, the new grandfather, and sister-in-law Debbie, the new grandmother, are excited at these new roles.
What does that have to do with this blog? There should be many reasons for getting and staying and shape. The chief reason is that we all know that if you do what you should in the gym you build up your energy and enjoy more zest in regular activities -- like playing with new babies. In talks I am having with myself I am noticing the lack of energy and motivation and are beginning to wonder if the very FACT that I am not darkening the doors of the Y gym might not be the exact CAUSE of the lack of energy and motivation.
I think it is time to experiment or do some researh - as we like to say at the college. So, I hope the next post notes that the Y has again become part of the regular activities and I can report on the effect it has on the energy and motivation level.
What does that have to do with this blog? There should be many reasons for getting and staying and shape. The chief reason is that we all know that if you do what you should in the gym you build up your energy and enjoy more zest in regular activities -- like playing with new babies. In talks I am having with myself I am noticing the lack of energy and motivation and are beginning to wonder if the very FACT that I am not darkening the doors of the Y gym might not be the exact CAUSE of the lack of energy and motivation.
I think it is time to experiment or do some researh - as we like to say at the college. So, I hope the next post notes that the Y has again become part of the regular activities and I can report on the effect it has on the energy and motivation level.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Is 61 th new 39? Some Personal Observations
Just about this time 39 years ago in place called Go Noi Island, Vietnam, I walked up out of a bomb crater and then flew the rest of the way. It seems as unreal today as it did that day, July 3, 1969. What in today's wars are called improvised explosive devices we then called booby traps. My battalion had been slowed by a lot of them, but the word came down the line we were to keep moving the sweep despite those aggravating body mines. The guy walking in front of me died in that explosion. One corpsman near me was bleeding from shrapnel, my radio guy was hit but apparently only a minor wound. One of the guys on the mortar team also took some metal.
I was looking down on the scene wondering who it was that was down and as I looked, I heard some moaning. Suddenly, I was not longer looking down on the scene. I was in the scene. The moans were coming out of me. So I shut up. That was not way for a platoon commander to sound. The look on the corpsman's face as he looked at where the blood was coming from hinted at a real bad story as he slapped a pressure bandage on the groin and like all good corpsmen (navy-enlisted medics) assured me that it was okay and it was a good thing he was there to save my jewels.
Who knows what that day was supposed to bring. One of my Marines was gone. He was the second that day. We weren't sure where I was but we regrouped set up a quick perimeter, SSGT who again became the platoon commander, called in a medivac (I love combat helicopter pilots) and we divvied up the ammunition and I was heading to a field hospital.
So, a fraction of inch in so many directions BUT the bad stuff did turned out not that bad. I was looking down, probably with PFC Nunez by my side, but was able to go back - he wasn't. Since that time I sort of celebrate two birthdays -- January 1 (when it began) and July 3, when it restarted. That makes me 39.
What is my takeaway from July 3, 1969? When life ends, it ends, not leaving you much choice. But your mission remains -- to live that life until it is not your's to live any more.
I was looking down on the scene wondering who it was that was down and as I looked, I heard some moaning. Suddenly, I was not longer looking down on the scene. I was in the scene. The moans were coming out of me. So I shut up. That was not way for a platoon commander to sound. The look on the corpsman's face as he looked at where the blood was coming from hinted at a real bad story as he slapped a pressure bandage on the groin and like all good corpsmen (navy-enlisted medics) assured me that it was okay and it was a good thing he was there to save my jewels.
Who knows what that day was supposed to bring. One of my Marines was gone. He was the second that day. We weren't sure where I was but we regrouped set up a quick perimeter, SSGT who again became the platoon commander, called in a medivac (I love combat helicopter pilots) and we divvied up the ammunition and I was heading to a field hospital.
So, a fraction of inch in so many directions BUT the bad stuff did turned out not that bad. I was looking down, probably with PFC Nunez by my side, but was able to go back - he wasn't. Since that time I sort of celebrate two birthdays -- January 1 (when it began) and July 3, when it restarted. That makes me 39.
What is my takeaway from July 3, 1969? When life ends, it ends, not leaving you much choice. But your mission remains -- to live that life until it is not your's to live any more.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Doing a lot of walking... but
Not totally on purpose.
The four-mile walk this morning was purposeful, and beautiful. The July 1 temperature was cool; the six oclock lighting enchanting and...
The drive to the car care place was purposeful. My van gets dirty and while it may be an extravagance, I really like the way it looks when they finish. So, I stopped the van, gave them the keys and headed back to the college. It is summer and the doors are locked on most Coker buildings so I jammed my hand into the pocket for keys.
There was a key - a big key -- the van key. There were not keys. All the door keys were on the key ring that was at (go ahead, guess) the car care place. So in addition to the walk from the car care place to the college now I had the chance to return to the car care place then walk back to the college and finally walk back to the car care place again to pick up the van. Maybe I should have skipped the purposeful walk this beautiful morning. No! Had I there would not have been much to write about. At the same time, those of you who are among the more than 300 people an hour turning 60, understand that sometimes you will leave the wrong key. It happens (I just wish it wasn't so frequent.) But, I enjoyed the extra miles today in my quest to find the motivation for post-60 exercise.
The four-mile walk this morning was purposeful, and beautiful. The July 1 temperature was cool; the six oclock lighting enchanting and...
The drive to the car care place was purposeful. My van gets dirty and while it may be an extravagance, I really like the way it looks when they finish. So, I stopped the van, gave them the keys and headed back to the college. It is summer and the doors are locked on most Coker buildings so I jammed my hand into the pocket for keys.
There was a key - a big key -- the van key. There were not keys. All the door keys were on the key ring that was at (go ahead, guess) the car care place. So in addition to the walk from the car care place to the college now I had the chance to return to the car care place then walk back to the college and finally walk back to the car care place again to pick up the van. Maybe I should have skipped the purposeful walk this beautiful morning. No! Had I there would not have been much to write about. At the same time, those of you who are among the more than 300 people an hour turning 60, understand that sometimes you will leave the wrong key. It happens (I just wish it wasn't so frequent.) But, I enjoyed the extra miles today in my quest to find the motivation for post-60 exercise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
