Work out daily

Slacked off for about 4 days. Had a friend with a spare ticket invite me at the last minute to a Johnathan Coulton concert on Friday and that killed my inertia. Saturday is supposed to be my rest day anyway but I have no excuse for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. At least I’ve been climbing the stairs at work (at least 17 flights a day). Plus I did my core work (mostly abs) this morning.

Getting to the point my core exercises are almost a regular thing. Once I start it’s no problem. The problem is motivating myself while facing all the other stresses. Hard to convince myself to work out with all the other stuff hanging over my head.

I’d been fairly good about this for the last week and a half. But didn’t have the energy last night when I got home and got up too late to do anything. I did do some abdominals yesterday morning and plan to do some when I get home tonight, so it’s not all lost. And I’m back at the climbing now that I’ve got new shoes. Only had about 45 minutes for it yesterday. Also have been climbing the steps at work. Went 27 flights yesterday and have done 12 today. But I really need to focus on the core work, calisthenics and running.

I’ve been fairly good about this, maybe too good. Thought I was being careful about pacing myself, but was pushed over the edge I was walking. Had a rather physical job assignment on Thursday that when combined w. my workout Wednesday evening just demolished me. I often skip my abdominal exercises and stretches in the evening. But this time is wasn’t laziness but pure exhaustion. I designated Friday a stretch and rest day as I was supposed to go bouldering w. a friend on Saturday. Didn’t feel like it helped much. The climbing at Carderock was light, but when I went running that afternoon I was surprised to find I still had little energy. Worse, my knees started hurting. That was my standard 2.8 mile run. Exhaustion again preempted calisthenics and abdominals. Today was supposed to be my 4.5 mile run and a visit to Earthtreks for climbing. My partner cancelled on me, but I was thinking of doing Sportrock instead. I’m torn between my body’s call for rest and my desire to overcome my pain and exhuastion.

I’ve still got this bad habit of skipping Monday and sometimes Tuesday. I’ve started keeping a log at Fitday.

It’s fairly handy, though it has some obvious bugs. It will at least help me keep track of how well I’m doing.

I think it helps that I keep things varied. Today is stretch day. No other exercise, just stretches. Tomorrow some sort of aerobic activity that won’t stress my shins (hurt yesterday, resting them ‘til Tuesday) like swimming or the exercycle and then climbing w. Todd later that day. Monday a differnet type of aerobic activity and circuit training at the Rec. center.

Since only half the populace around here shovel their walks, I caved and went in to use the treadmill at the local rec. center last Friday (more on that in separate entry on “run a marathon”). Also took the opportunity to get a 25 visit pass and start on my circuit training. Since I only had a limited time, I only did one circuit. But that’s ok. The main idea was to get a baseline for where I was at. Tomorrow (or Tuesday if the rec. center is closed for the holiday) I will do a full 3 circuits. As it is, I was feeling it. Wimped out on the ab/core exercises again that night. :(

As it was I was feeling it. Good thing Saturday was my day of rest. Just some good stretches.

Today it was wall climbing at Earth Treks in Rockville. It was a group event organized through meetin. Lots of fun, very cool people and I managed to push my limits farther than last time. Finessed or gritted my way through situations I would have given up on before. Presently I can get my soft, pasty butt up a 5.4 and make a bold attempt at a 5.6 or 5.7. A little strength and a lot of technique is going to help me improve a lot. Seeing as I’ve got the bug, I should probably put some climbing goals up here as well.

On the way back it snowed again. It’s like Earth Treks and I combine to create a weather jinx.

Now if I can just hang in there and complete the rest of my exercises for the day…

I even skipped my evening workout on Tuesday. Today I was good though. All done now but my grip exercises. I feel guilty though. I went to the climbing gym around 8pm. A friend of mine came later that night at my urging. He’s as out of shape as I am and pushed himself too hard. I am guilty of having encouraged him. Other factors, like not enough fluids and eating too soon beforehand, may have been a factor. At first we were just going to finish by having him belay me on a final attempt, but he started getting woozy. Later he got charlie horses in both arms as well as the dizziness and nauseau. I followed him home to make sure he got there all right. Now I feel bad for setting him up for a painful, discouraging experience.

Lessons: Pacing and knowing ones limits are crucial. Also, drink lots of fluids, don’t eat too soon before extreme exertion, and remember to stretch well.

I’ve been on my exercise ‘kick’ for almost a month now. Running in the morning (despite temps in the 20s) and abdominal and core exercises in the evening with stretches. I’ve also got a membership at the local indoor climbing gym and have managed three visits in the last two weeks (trying to get the energy to go in a minute or two). Failures: Failed to get up early enough on Thursday to go running before giving blood. Wimped out Friday evening on the abs.. Saturday was my day off but I should have done stretches.

Next week goal is to be steady and to add in grip exercises and the hand weights. Might stop by the rec. center gym once, but I don’t want to overdo it.

I do some minor upper body stuff w. a ten pound weight while I sit at the computer/watch tv. Last night marks the 4th night I’ve remembered to do this. The number of reps has gotten high enough that I should go out and get some heavier weights. Will go over the the folks’ old place tomorrow and hope they haven’t been thrown out. Also did a little stretching while watching Jeopardy! last night. That’s something I should be doing at least twice daily.

Baby steps